By DeNae Thomas
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
While Donald Williams, more commonly known as Matt, is passionate about many things, anyone who speaks with him for more than a few minutes knows that his encompassing passion is for Jesus Christ.
“I am confident that the Lord is going to be there for me every step of the way,” William said. “Whatever happens I know that –– nothing is going to shake that as long as I am willing to depend on him.”
Williams has been a Christian since he was 5, but said when his father was diagnosed with cancer last September and then passed away shortly after, his faith was ultimately confirmed and strengthened.
“I have always had a strong faith, but that has just enhanced it,” Williams said.
Today, Williams looks to his father as his inspiration in life and encouragement for the future.
“My dad was a man of God, he loved the word and he passed on that passion to me,” Williams said. “He was someone who could look at any situation, wouldn’t judge people in that situation and would be able to always address everyone’s needs in a loving, caring way.”
Although his father’s death has been one of the most difficult things he has had to go through, Williams said that through it all, God has been there for him and assured him that this is the correct path.
As a business major, Williams wants to get his MBA and create a business in the future where people are the priority.
“I want to start a company that treats people like people –– do something that’s revolutionary,” Williams said.
Ultimately, Williams wants to become involved in business to use his passion to glorify God.
“I see what I do in business as a ministering opportunity,” Williams said. “The Lord can use any situation, just like he used my father’s death, for his glory. He can use anything that I do, especially my strengths in business, to glorify his name.”
If all he does is glorify God with his life, Williams says he will be satisfied with it.
Why did you come to Pepperdine?
My parents did undergrad and graduate school here and they met and fell in love here. Pepperdine is sort of like a piece of family history. I can show you where my dad got saved on campus –– it was right in front of the Oasis. Also, it was close to my church and it’s far enough away from home that I don’t get bugged, but I can still go home when I choose to.
How did you develop an interest in small businesses?
My mom deals with a lot of small businesses so I know the way they think and work. She is president of the Latino Business Association, which has 11,000 members and outreaches to 41,000 small Hispanic businesses. It’s a non-profit organization that helps provide business opportunities to the LBA members. Since I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, I think that small businesses are the key to economic development. I’m not an economist, but that is what I’ve been taught and I believe it. One of the best ways to help people out is to help people fulfill their dreams and help people bring food to the table for their families.
Are you helping your mother with her organization, the Latino Business Association?
Right now we are trying to help raise money for an endowment. We are trying to think of a way to start a non-profit that will provide scholarships for people who want to go to graduate school, help Hispanics pay for college and improve education within the Hispanic community.
What is an overall guiding principle in your life?
To love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind.
Do you have any tangible goals in light of that principle?
I want to send a family friend to college. When I was young both my parents worked so we hired a nanny and she ended up staying on. She’s been with us for 17 years and she has a younger daughter. I want to send her daughter to college. She’s in eighth grade so I have started saving up. Also, I think that there are a lot of Christians on campus and I want to unify them so we can be a voice on this campus.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine?
I like the people. I like the fact that you are able to share your faith but you are able to deal with real people who are smart and have a desire to pursue their education. Everyone here has so much potential and I like talking to people and finding out what they’re all about and hearing about their dreams and goals.
What is hardest about being away from home for the first time?
I miss my sister. She’s 16. She always puts me back in my place. She loves me and she’s a really smart person who I love talking with and hanging out with.
You get a craving and go to Ralphs at 12:30 a.m. What do you pick up?
A carton of chocolate milk and a nice Dove chocolate bar. I really like chocolate.
What did you do when you found out your father had cancer?
I went in my room and got on my knees. I said, ‘Father, I desire my dad to live, but if you are going to take him home then not my will but thine be done. Let him go out with a bang and let him do more in his death than he can do in the rest of his lifetime for your glory.’ It has all shown me that the Lord has been there. Friends will listen only as long as they want to listen. Family would love to help you out but they are dealing with their own trauma at the same time, but the Lord has always been there when no one else was around.
What would you tell someone who had a loved one recently pass away?
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all thine ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Also, understand that that’s life –– pain comes with life. And when you’re dealing with that pain, you don’t run from it –– you face it. You know it is there and you address it. Know that you will always have that pain, but allow it to make you stronger. Pain is either going to destroy you, or you’re going to grow from it. Look at the bigger picture because now you will be able to help someone in a similar situation. Pain is an opportunity to grow and glorify the Lord.
March 27, 2003