From Cookies to Kingdom: Trey Williams' Unconventional Path to Feeding the Hungry

Trey Williams, the founder and Executive Director of Ancora Ministries, embodies a journey of divine redirection and unexpected preparation. His story, a testament to God's intricate weaving of life experiences, reveals how seemingly disparate careers in cookie-making, martial arts, and pastoral ministry converged to equip him for a profound mission: offering hope, support, and refuge to the vulnerable by closing the hunger gap.

Williams' professional life began in the sweet world of cookies. After graduating with a Spanish degree and shelving international business aspirations for marriage, he and his wife purchased Kevin's Cookies, a business he'd worked for since college. For 13 years, he honed entrepreneurial skills, navigating the challenges of ownership until the 2008 recession forced its closure in 2010. This period, however, wasn't just about business; it was about laying a foundation.

From Cookies to Calling

During his cookie-making years, a new passion emerged: Taekwondo. This pursuit led him to become a certified instructor, a skill that would surprisingly open the door to his next calling. A church's Mega Sports Camp, where he served as a karate coach, caught the attention of the senior pastor. Despite Williams' initial resistance and feeling unqualified, he accepted the role of Kids Pastor, a position that evolved into Family Pastor and, significantly, Missions Pastor.

It was in his role as Missions Pastor that Williams' heart for global need truly ignited. A vision trip to Guatemala in 2013, initially met with his characteristic 'this is a terrible idea' skepticism, transformed him. Building a kitchen for a school lunch program in a remote village, he experienced the deep connection formed through service. The difficulty of leaving and the desire to return quickly revealed a burgeoning passion for the people of Guatemala. This led to multiple mission trips, deepening his understanding and love for the community.

Learning by Doing: Embracing Uncertainty

As 2018 drew to a close, a strong sense of divine prompting led Williams to resign from his pastoral role, without a clear next step. His prayer, a candid 'Lord, are you done with me here?', was met with a clear 'yes.' This leap of faith led to an unexpected opportunity: assisting an organization in Guatemala with safe cookstove installations. This immersive experience, working directly within homes, shattered his preconceived notions of ministry. He realized that true impact lay in presence, connection, and understanding, not just task completion.

This period also became a profound education in nutrition. Williams learned that malnutrition wasn't always the visible emaciation seen in commercials, but often a chronic, insidious problem that severely impacted brain development and perpetuated cycles of poverty. This revelation, coupled with his growing understanding of the legal and operational aspects of international aid, began to shape a new vision.

From Adversity to Action: The Birth of Ancora Ministries

The COVID-19 pandemic, while shutting down many operations, became a catalyst for Ancora Ministries. Frustrated by the limitations in Guatemala, but witnessing the effectiveness of local food security programs he had initiated in Central Texas, Williams saw a path forward. He realized that the Lord had equipped him with the knowledge of nutrition, the legalities of international work, and the practical experience of running cost-effective programs. The prayer he had uttered on the airplane years prior – 'I want all of these kids to have enough to eat' – was now within reach.

In collaboration with his wife, Jennifer, Ancora Ministries was born. 'Ancora,' a Latin word meaning anchor, hope, support, and refuge, perfectly encapsulated their mission. Starting with one village in Guatemala and one school in Central Texas, the ministry has seen exponential growth. Today, Ancora Ministries feeds 1,545 children across 52 schools in Central Texas weekly and supports 650 children in 13 partner communities in Guatemala through preschool nutrition and school lunch programs.

Trusting the Process: Faith Over Formula

Williams' journey is a powerful illustration of trusting God's incremental guidance. He openly admits to not having a 10-step plan, but rather relying on daily bread, seeking guidance for 'what I need to know today, what I need to do today.' This approach, he believes, allows for divine surprises and prevents his own ego from running ahead.

His advice to others facing the unknown is to embrace the 'rough' patches, recognizing that growth is happening, and what seems impossible today can become reality tomorrow. Trey Williams' story is a testament to the transformative power of obedience, even when the path is unclear, and the profound impact of a life surrendered to God's leading.

If you would like to reach out to Trey Williams click the link below: 

trey@ancoraministries.org

If you would like to know more about Ancora Ministries, click below: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ancora-ministries/posts/?feedView=all