WILLIAMS – A comedian of old once remarked that he observed that when a minister gets ordained, he suddenly acquires a Southern-accent. The Southern-accent of Pastor Andy McDaniel, who grew up in South Carolina, as is his walk with the Lord, is genuine. This week was the last sermon by Pastor McDaniel at the First Baptist Church in Williams.

Pastor Andy, as his congregation calls him, relates that he was not always a practicing Christian. For 25-years Andy McDaniel spent his time in the longest, scripted reality series on television. Professional wrestling.

While he pursued a wresting career, he also worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Berkley County, Georgia. He also did a stint as the Police Chief of Coward, South Carolina. He quipped that it could be interesting when he went to police events and was introduced as the “Coward Police Chief.”

Pastor Andy was led to the Lord by “The Million Dollar Man,” Ted DiBiase. DiBiase is also a retired wrestler and ordained minister. He attended Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia where he received his doctoral degree.

Pastor Andy, wife Melissa and their twin children came to Williams in May of 2011. Last year he ran a short “wrestling ministry” for local kids to attract them to learn about the Lord and a few wrestling holds. The wrestling ministry was to wrap-up with an actual professionally faked wrestling match. It was cancelled because of bad weather.

The family is returning to the pastor’s roots of South Carolina. The family is moving Seneca, South Carolina where he will pastor Bounty Baptist Church.

Of his time in Williams, he said, “It’s been a great journey. We’ve really enjoyed our time here. We are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us, and for Williams after we leave. We hope we’ve left our footprint here and we’re excited about what the days ahead hold.”