Our Minister Emeritus
The Stephens
“It’s been the honor of our lives to serve the Southside Church and the city of Durham.”
Pastor William Stephens serves as the Evangelist and Minister Emeritus of the Southside Church of Christ in Durham, North Carolina. The congregation began as a mission work with approximately fourteen members in October 1982. In 1985, by faith, Pastor Stephens became the full-time minister of the Southside congregation.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Pastor Stephens has been married for 52 years to his beautiful wife, the former Altamease (“Skeeter”) Ray. They have three adult children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, all of whom remain very active in the church. Under his leadership, God blessed the congregation to grow both numerically and financially.
William & Altamease Stephens
A life of shared ministry to Southside and the city of Durham.
A Growing Church with a Growing Vision
Today, there are more than five hundred faithful members involved in several ministries at the Southside congregation of the church of Christ. While meeting at the Old St. Joseph’s building, the church purchased 5.33 acres of land on Elmira Avenue. Due to renovation plans for the St. Joseph’s Historical building, the congregation had to find a new meeting place.
In 1987, the congregation rented a building on Angier Avenue and broke ground for a new edifice in September 1990. In January 1991, they met at Shepard Middle School to be closer to the anticipated meeting place. By the grace of the Almighty, Southside moved into its first church building in June 1991.
An addition was made to the building in 1996 to accommodate the growing congregation. In 2003, by God’s grace, a fully equipped multi‑purpose building was erected at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. In 2008, Southside established a child development center—and today, it is a five‑star center.
Southside Church of Christ Campus
From a small mission work to a thriving, multi‑building campus on Elmira Avenue.
William Stephens
Minister Emeritus · Evangelist
Minister Emeritus · A Legacy of Ministry
Several ministries were established by the evangelist to address the needs of the church. Among them were the Koinonia Group Ministry to emphasize caring for and sharing with one another; the Southside Ladies Involvement Ministry (S.L.I.M.), directed by Women’s Counselor Sis. Ricki Fuller; an Education Department; a Youth Department directed by Youth Minister Bro. Chris Turner; and a College Campus Ministry.
As the congregation grew, additional ministries emerged: Health, Community Outreach, Tutoring, Substance Abuse, Singles, Single Mothers, Blended Families, Grief Support, Door‑Knocking, Food Bank Ministry, Communications, a K‑4 through 5th‑grade private school, and more.
Every ministry has been established with the purpose of addressing known needs and helping to save and encourage souls. The Stephens’ legacy is woven into the worship, discipleship, and community presence of Southside today.
Giving thanks for those who paved the way.
The work of William and Altamease Stephens continues to shape Southside’s vision of being a faith community engaging all for the glory of God.