About Us
“Turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the childrens’ hearts to the Heavenly Father”
Equipping fathers with the resources, biblical foundation, and community needed
to transform fatherhood one family at a time for more than 20 years.
Established in 1988 as Lifeline, Urban Light Ministries is a 501c3 nonprofit organization
based in Springfield, Ohio initially known for our work with children and families. Our
focus turned to fatherhood in 2006 when we began offering fatherhood classes in
response to the father absence crisis.
Years of Service
Fathers Served
Childrens Lives Touched
Awards Won
Board of Trustees
Officers
Chairman
Eli Williams
Secretary
Kermit Rowe
Treasurer
Jay Weygandt
Trustees
Kevin McCraney
Cozette Snead
Andy Shroyer
Monte Zinn
Urban Light Ministries Founder
Pastor Eli Williams
As a very young man, Eli Williams was a professional singer and entertainer. After leaving that field, he held various sales positions until settling into a career in broadcasting. In the late 1980s, Williams and his wife Judy accepted their calling into Christian ministry and began their charitable outreach work as Lifeline Ministries. Christian broadcasting, The Sonshine Clubs children’s ministry, and feeding the hungry were among their first endeavors. They formerly organized as Urban Light Ministries Incorporated in 1995, with Eli as President and Judy as Secretary/Treasurer.
He continues his community involvement with Simunye which focuses on racial reconciliation, serves on the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship board, the Clark County Family Services Planning Council, and the board of Ohio Practioners Network for Fathers and Families (OPNFF). An ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ since 1997, Williams is a pastor at New Hope Church in Springfield, where he and his wife of 40+ years, have resided since 1985. They have three sons and four grandchildren.
Pastor Eli Williams
PO Box 3132
Springfield, OH 45501
Web – www.PastorEli.com
Email – eli@pastoreli.com
Our Story
Over the Years
1988
Founded
Eli and Judy Williams from Lifeline Ministries, a faith-based ministry focused on children, prisons, food pantry and mobile DJ
1993
Sonshine Clubs Begin
”The Sonshine Club was a Saturday morning sidewalk Sunday School children’s ministry which started in Lincoln Park in Springfield, Ohio
1994
Sonshine Clubs Move to Public Schools
The Sonshine Clubs, a children-based Christian ministry, begins in Lincoln Elementary School as an afterschool ministry
1995
Lifeline Ministries becomes Urban Light Minstries
Lifeline Ministry changed its name to Urban Light Ministries and received its 501 (c) 3 nonprofit designation officially in 1996
1997
Urban Light Ministries opens headquarters on S. Yellowsprings St.
Urban Light Ministries served over 100 families weekly by volunteers from its location in Springfield, Ohio
2006
Fatherhood Workshops Begin
Nuturing Fathers for Life (NFL) program begins with fathering skills training for local fathers. Training partnered with Marriage Resource Center and Clark County Jail beings in 2007
2008
Ohio Commissions on Fatherhood awards $224K grant
Urban Light continues to expand it fatherhood training and support through a major grant allowing it to serve over 300 fathers
2008
Eli Williams elected to the board of Ohio Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families
Eli Williams continues to grow awareness and credibility of Urban Light Ministries Fatherhood programs through serving on state-wide fatherhood boards and contributing to Fatherhood Commission Strategic Plan
2010
ULM Continues building Fatherhood programs
ULM continues to grow its awareness and credibility in serving fathers through winning $100k grant to serve over 150 fathers, publishing the areas first “Dad’s Resource Guide” and hosts the regional Fatherhood Ohio Summit in Springfield, Ohio
2011
Sonshine Clubs Expand Reach to over 13 public elementary schools
The after-school children’s ministry continues to grow to over 800 children with a Sonshine Club Director staff position established
2012
ULM’s Fatherhood Programs receive National Recognition
Eli Williams and Darryl Grayson present ULM’s programs to Virginia delegation
2016
Father Love book published
Eli Williams authored and publishes the book “Father Love – The Powerful Resource Every Child Needs” including a study guide and father’s discussion group
2019
POPS 101 Course Online course released
Fatherhood course on being a Protector, Order Keeper, Provider and Stabilizer is released online in English and Spanish versions.
2020
Eli Williams presented the Nehemiah Foundation Leadership Award
For Pastor Eli Williams recognition of local leadership and service to the community of Springfield, Ohio he was awarded the Nehemiah Foundation Leadership Award
2022
Fatherhood Devotionals Published
Pastor Eli Williams publishes father devotional on YouVersion Bible App and ULM publishes 30-day Dad Devotional E-book
2023
Fathering Strong Launched
An online community for fathers that connects, engages, and empowers fathers to be the best dads they can be.
2025
Fathering Strong Resources Published
2026
Family Shepherd book published and workshop launched
Pastor Eli publishes Edition 2 of his Father Love book
Pastor Eli publishes “The Family Shepherd,” book and church workshop.