William Wainwright’s connection to Parker Street Ministries goes back to 2008 when he first began volunteering in the after-school program. “I would show up Tuesdays and Thursdays to read and hang out with students every week,” he shared. “Tuesdays and Thursday eventually became Monday-Thursday, and the next thing I knew, I was graduating from SEU and moving into the neighborhood to just be a neighbor.” He later served as a Classroom Leader, and in 2015 joined the full-time staff in Facilities & Neighborhood Services. Today, William directs PSM’s Housing Initiative, helping provide safe, stable homes and supporting residents with the same relational care that first drew him to the ministry.
Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, William moved to Lakeland by way of north Atlanta. His time at Southeastern University played a significant role in planting roots in Lakeland and shaping the path that eventually led him to this work.
Family is one of William’s greatest joys. “I love being with my wife and kids and really all of my family,” he said, noting that he sees his local family as often as possible and travels out of state mainly to spend time with extended family. Several passages of Scripture anchor him deeply: Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 18 (vv. 6-19), and Revelation 21—especially the way it connects to the restorative work happening in the neighborhood.
He’s currently reading Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle and is consistently watching The West Wing—a long-standing favorite. And when it comes to Lakeland restaurants, he admits, “I do love the flautas from Sweet Cup Café right now.”
Some of William’s most meaningful memories at PSM come from his Classroom Leader days. “As difficult as it could be, I loved the time I spent with the students in my Classroom Leader days,” he said. One of the joys now is spending time with those same students, many of whom are in their twenties and remain connected to the ministry in meaningful ways.
Thanks for learning more about William Wainwright!
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Parker Street Ministries (PSM) is a 501c3 in Lakeland, Florida, that follows a Gospel-centered model characterized by living, listening, affirming dignity, and building community together in and through the Parker Street neighborhood. Parker Street Ministries is committed to Gospel-centered community development through the focus areas of: Fostering Spiritual Growth so Christ and His Gospel are front and center, Supporting Lifetime Learners through educational opportunities, Stabilizing the Neighborhood by addressing the quality and availability of housing, and Cultivating Connections so gaps in relationships and services are bridged.