MEET OUR CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Dr. Mark Williams brings to Naples UCC a pastoral spirit and vision that is enthusiastic, hopeful, kind, mission-driven, and authentic. A thoughtful and compelling preacher who enjoys connecting scripture to the everyday lives of parishioners, Pastor Mark truly cares for our church and for our community. Williams's interdenominational experience is the perfect fit for pastoring a church with a wide variety of theological backgrounds. Williams has led diverse churches in four different states in three different denominations. His vocational and educational experience with the U.C.C., United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Congregational Church, Presbyterian Church, and Cooperative Baptist Church (not to mention marrying a Roman Catholic) speaks to his inclusive, all-embracing spiritual values. Rev. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Mercer University. A Florida native, Pastor Mark enjoys the outdoors and "anything and everything baseball." Mark and his wife Emily are very involved in the Naples community and have three young children: Nolan, Marie, and Anna.

Rev. Sonja M. Phillips is a native of Vinton, Virginia, and a graduate of Mary Baldwin University and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. She brings more than sixteen years of experience in pastoral ministry and church staff leadership, along with twenty-one years of service in chaplaincy and social work. Ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1999, she received privilege of call in the United Church of Christ in 2014. Throughout her ministry, Sonja has served congregations affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Virginia and Florida and currently serves as co-pastor of a church in south-central Texas. Sonja is married to the Rev. Dave Phillips, and they have one adult son, Tyler, a graduate of Florida State University and George Washington University, and lives in Richmond, VA. Sonja understands church ministry as a shared and sacred journey, grounded in compassionate pastoral care, spiritual formation, and meaningful worship. She brings a strong pastoral presence through hospital visitation and ministry with nursing home residents and homebound individuals and is deeply committed to inclusivity and ministering to people of all ages through life’s transitions, including spirituality, mental health, bereavement, and holistic well-being. She greatly admires Naples UCC as a welcoming and vibrant congregation, alive with God’s Spirit, and resonates deeply with its embodiment of the compassionate love and grace of Jesus Christ—a community where all are affirmed, faith is thoughtfully engaged, and ministry is lived out with authenticity and hope.