Originally from Chattanooga Tennessee, Pastor Bill Marion
served on staff at Abba’s House in Hixson, TN under both Ron, and Ronnie Phillips for over a decade before accepting the Senior Pastor position at Ray of Hope Church in Harrisonburg, VA in February
2018.
Pastor Bill first accepted Christ as a small child while
traveling with his father and mother, William & Violet Marion. Pastor Bill’s
parents were National Evangelists, and Pastor Bill spent almost all of his
elementary school years traveling with his parents who were preaching the
gospel around the world.
But despite being raised in a Godly home, by Godly parents, Pastor Bill admits that he spent the first half of his adulthood fighting God’s perfect plan for his life.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to serve God, I did. It’s just that every time I tried, I became religious instead of Godly. I saw the Bible as a rule book, instead of a book of love, written by our heavenly Father that provides instructions. I had to learn about God’s powerful Grace, His Mercy, and that I needed Him every day!”
In 2005 Pastor Bill made a lifetime commitment to God and
Godly service when he attended Abba’s House.
“I stopped playing games. I was
tired of always being in a mess, and I finally took my walk with Christ and my
calling seriously. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot to learn, but I knew this
was it. I wasn’t turning away from the love of Christ again."
During Pastor Bill’s 12 years at Abba’s House, he taught a
Life Group, led Mission Trips, produced, wrote, and directed several
inspirational musical productions with over 200 participants. Pastor
Bill served as a staff writer while also serving The Worship Pastor at Abba’s
House, Ken Hartley and the “Zadoks”
(The Abba’s House Choir & Orchestra), organized and led retreats, conducted
weddings and funerals, served on the board of Ronnie Phillips Ministries
international, preached the gospel at Abba’s House, and churches around
the country. Pastor Bill was selected “Teacher of the Year” twice at Abba’s
House, and he was publicly commissioned and released to the IPHC (Appalachian
Conference) by Pastor Ron and Pastor Ronnie Phillips during the Abba’s House’s Fresh Oil
New Wine Conference in March 2018.
Though Pastor Bill began pastoring Ray of Hope in February of 2018,
he was ordained publicly by the IPHC at
the IPHC Conference Camp Meeting in Dublin, Virginia, in June of 2018.
Pastor Bill received an education at both Union College and
Tennessee Wesleyan College, focusing on History, Education, and Theology. While
at Union College, Pastor Bill played football for the Bulldogs in 1992 and
1993, and was a writer for the college paper.
Pastor Bill is an author and helped write several books for lead pastors, and he is also a verified YouTube creator in which he creates his own light-hearted YouTube Channel, Bill Marion A Nose for Life.
He served in both the Army, and Kentucky Army National Guard from 1994 to 2003. In 1997, Pastor Bill graduated from Officer Candidate School. After the events of September 11, 2001, Pastor Bill’s army unit was mobilized. Pastor Bill received two Army Accommodation Medals for his service while on active duty.
Pastor Bill is happily married to Caroline Marion, and they have three adult children; Anna, Nathan and Crystal.
Pastor Bill’s life scripture:
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.