If there’s one word that summarizes Bobby Williams’ ministry and personality it’s “encouragement.” The word is the calling card of his company and its mission–and it epitomizes the way he interacts with other people.
Williams believes that Christians are transformed to do big things in the world; when they accept Christ, they are changed and renewed. That encouragement can change people’s lives, Williams says.
“We’re new creatures and Christ changes us,” he says with conviction. “We all go through trials, but Christ is bigger than the mountain you face in your life. We realize that life isn’t a burden, but it is absolute joy.”
Williams brings this message of transformation and encouragement daily through his personal and business life, and through broadcasts and social media; he also will bring it to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Feb. 17 with “A Night of Encouraging Moments with Bobby Williams & Friends” featuring guests Jason Crabb and Jasmine Brady among others.
Man of Many Talents
Over the years, Williams has been involved in a variety of different professions and ministries. He started his working career in the car industry, following in his father’s footsteps with Bob Williams Lincoln Mercury from 1980 to 2000. He served there as General Manager and led more than $1 billion in automobile sales, oversaw all operational areas, and helped earn 13 “100 Champions Awards” for customer sales and service excellence. When the family sold its dealerships, he founded A3 Marketing in 2000 and built a business that has been responsible for $10 billion in sales. The company has partnered with nationally-recognized brands and organizations, and has produced high-impact commercials with such personalities as Betty White, Nick Saban, and Joe Namath.
Williams says that his business leadership philosophy is simple: exceed expectations, find solutions, and serve clients with excellence, while grounding everything in faith.
And, as a part time songwriter in the 1980s, Bobby had a little chart-topping success as well. “It’s all about serving the Lord Jesus Christ in the marketplace—striving for excellence while praying over all we do,” says Williams.
He may be even more recognizable as the host of “Encouraging Moments with Bobby Williams,” a series of one-minute broadcasts that reach over 100 million homes worldwide via such outlets as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TCT, NRBTV, and Facebook. He also has a 30-minute television program that’s entering its second second and airing on Christian networks nationwide.
Williams is also an ordained and licensed minister through First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, Tennessee. His organization, Spirit of a Champion Ministries, Inc., is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging people to reach their God-given potential. And–if that’s not enough–Williams is also the author of the books God’s Plan for Successful Spirit-Filled Living and 52 Weeks of Inspiration for Your Daily Walk with Christ and a songwriter who has also written chart-topping country music songs. Bobby says, “I hope my new book which is being printed now will inspire millions across the country and around the world!”
In everything he does, Williams feels compelled to provide positive words to Christians and seekers alike. “In a world filled with negativity, I felt called by God to bring hope, encouragement, and the message that Jesus Christ can change anyone’s life,” he says. “Nothing is impossible with God.”
A Family of Faith
Williams lives in Hendersonville with his wife Donna, who he first met in 1983 when she was looking for a car with her father at one of the Williams dealerships. “I thought she was beautiful, and I sold her a car,” Williams remembers. “A little while later a friend invited me to his church and I went. My friend slept in, but there sitting on a pew was Donna. She asked me if I wanted to sit with her and her Mom.”
He and Donna have been married now for more than 40 years, and have two adult children. Daughter Tori lives in Florida and is married to Wes Warren and they have two children. Their son Robert Williams III serves as Vice President of A3 Marketing, continuing the family’s legacy in business and ministry.
“Both of my kids love the Lord with all their hearts,” Williams says. According to Williams, the support of his wife especially has been integral to his ministry callings. “I was running all the dealerships when God visited me in my prayer closet and I was empowered,” he says of an experience in 1996 “I came to Donna and told her that God was really speaking to me, and she encouraged me to follow his lead. That’s when everything started happening to me.”
Williams and his wife actively support ministries and organizations in the Nashville area such as The Bridge Ministry (Nashville), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Baptist Children’s Homes, Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, Three Bridges Gospel Singers, Hinson Family Singers, and Jennifer O’Neill Ministries.
Moments of Encouragement and Revival
Wiliams’ “Encouraging Moments” broadcasts were inspired years ago by a moment in church where he felt God leading him to produce them for the public. “The Lord told me that I needed to do these moments, and we tried the first one on my laptop and began working to make them better,” he says. “Someone who worked with me was a minister at TBN and he thought what we were doing was really good. He helped us get it out there and they immediately loved it and asked me to do more.”
His segment ended up in the newsbreak during “The 700 Club” and then expanded to other networks. “It’s amazing what you can say in one minute,” Williams says. His latest project is a national television show, also entitled “Encouraging Moments,” which is broadcast on various channels and can be found online (click on “Watch” at www.encouragingmoments.com to see episodes). The show’s returning for 2026 with 15 brand-new episodes.
And with a large and growing social media platform, Williams’ encouraging messages have expanded their reach. His messages reach more than 20,000 followers on Facebook, and his podcast on Spotify and Apple expands his thoughts to 20-minute messages.
An outgrowth of his encouraging ministries is the upcoming revival service at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 17. He met Hank Erwin (who runs the nonprofit Gap26 and envisions revivals across the country) and offered to host a revival in Nashville. Then another friend who saw Williams’ “Encouraging Moments” segment shown at the Dove Awards provided him with a down payment check to book the historic venue for the revival. “My friend said that he thought we should book the Ryman, and God gave that to us,” Williams says. “I can’t do any of these things on my own.”
The event, ”A Night of Encouraging Moments with Bobby Williams & Friends” will feature musical artists Jason Crabb and Jasmine Brady along with the First Baptist Church choir. Williams adds that money raised through the night will include a $10,000 donation to Bridge Ministries for its work with the homeless population in Nashville.
His all-new inspirational book will debut at his live event this month at the Ryman Auditorium and it’s called; “You were Born to Win in Jesus Christ”. Bobby says – “I hope my new book will inspire millions across the country and around the world!
Williams credits all of this ministry expansion with the work of the Holy Spirit upon him. “I taught Sunday School for 30 plus years, but I was called as an ordained minister late in life,” he explains. “Once I was ordained in 2015, my messages have grown stronger through the Holy Spirit. I was filled with the Holy Spirit and I teach people about the Holy Spirit’s guidance and leading.” Williams says that all things are possible through that leading; he wants Christians to know about their maximum potential gained through Christ’s indwelling.
“You were born to win in Jesus Christ,” he says. “When you accept Christ, you go through a time of transformation. He transforms us, and renews our mind and heart. We’re a new creature and he changes us. But, you can never maximize your gifts until you’re in Christ.”
An Encouraging Last Word
Williams looks forward to more opportunities in the future to continue encouraging Christians and those looking for hope. And he remains grateful for God’s guidance in his life. “What God’s done with my life has really been a miracle. It’s not anything I could have ever dreamed or thought of, and I’m so thankful for that,” he says. “I’m older and I get to do all these things. I get to raise the banner of Jesus Christ. I thank God for those opportunities.”
—Cheryl Wray is a freelance writer and book author. She’s also the coordinator of the Southern Christian Writers Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Birmingham, Alabama. She can be reached at cherylswray@gmail.com or scwritersconference@gmail.com.
