J.W. Chatham

J.W. Chatham III (Bill) was born in Starkville, Mississippi, on December 27, 1952, to J.W. and Elizabeth Chatham. He was the son of a Methodist pastor/Navy chaplain. In early childhood, Bill would live in six different communities in North Mississippi: Minter City, Sardis, Okolona, Amory, Greenwood, and Louisville, where his father was a pastor. He attended five different schools during this time. As was Methodist pastors' protocol, the various relocations of pastors granted Bill the opportunity to gain many friendships from those communities where he lived. His favorite "growing-up" place was Amory while attending middle school.

After graduating from Louisville High School, Bill continued his education, not realizing he was searching for more of God's truth. He attended Millsaps College in Jackson, State University, and East Central Junior College in Decatur. Bill was introduced to the Apostolic Pentecostal message of Acts 2:38 at ECJC in Decatur during a summer session while attending a Bible study on campus. One of the participants was a member of the Carthage UPC, and received an invitation to attend church. However, before attending a Pentecostal church, God had another plan.

Bill was a member of the local Youth for Christ in Decatur, which consisted of high school and college students. In the fall of 1971, a group of athletes from Livingston University (currently Western Alabama University) of Livingston, Alabama, spoke at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur and taught the Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues. In the spring of 1972, the Youth for Christ group attended a revival at Livingston, sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). A Methodist preacher was the speaker. During the revival, Bill received the Holy Spirit, by speaking in tongues, with several from the Youth for Christ group. Thus began Bill's Pentecostal journey. Again, certain Pentecostals from ECJC invited Bill to visit the Carthage UPC. He took the challenge and attended, hearing the teaching of Rev. U.A. Massey. Pastor George Roberts taught Bill a Bible study concerning water baptism. After the Bible study, Bro. Chatham decided to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by Pastor Roberts. His dormitory roommate, the Youth for Christ group leader, also received the Holy Spirit and was baptized during this time.

This water baptism experience opened the door to testify to the Youth for Christ group concerning Jesus' name. God moved across the campus of ECJC in Decatur with healing and deliverance. Because of what was happening, the Mississippi District Superintendent, Rev. Lee J. Edwards, with other Mississippi District ministers, preached off the campus of ECJC. God moved and solidified Bill's experience.

In the fall of 1972, Bill enrolled at Pentecostal Bible Institute (PBI) in Tupelo. J.D. Stallard was president. During this time, Bro. Chatham was able to establish friendships with area pastors while attending various churches, as did other students. Rev. William E. Bowen was his pastor in Aberdeen for a short time before PBI moved to the Mississippi District campgrounds in Raymond, Mississippi, in 1974.

Bro. Chatham graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree from PBI in 1975 when Rev. T.L. Craft was president. Then the Mississippi District UPCI rendered Bro. Chatham a General License. In 2001, he was ordained when Rev. G.R. Travis was District Superintendent. In 2010, Bro. Chatham received his Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson.

In 1977, Bro. Chatham married Mary Anne Caperton, whom he had met in their hometown church in Louisville. Rev. Clayton Hall served as pastor. The Chathams have two children, Joy (Justin) Hamon and John (Haley). Those two children have blessed the Chathams with seven grandchildren.