Bill Purvis was born on May 16, 1956 in Okinawa, Japan and grew up in Eufaula, Alabama. Two weeks prior to his spiritual conversion, a young witness for Christ would tell Bill, “Everything you are looking for can be found in Jesus”. On April 28, 1974, Bill would be stabbed 3 times with a butcher knife and left for dead. It was in his dying state, that he repented of his sins and cried out to God, receiving Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. That became the turning point of his life. His transformation resulted in an undeniable love for God and an urgency to tell others of Jesus. While a Business Administration student at Opelika State College, (now Southern Union College) he sensed a definite call to ministry one year after his conversion. He was invited to serve for almost 7 years successfully as a youth pastor in three churches where each youth ministry experienced growth and the favor of God.

• At Unity Baptist Church, 1976-78, where he served under Rev. Daniel Jones, he was ordained to ministry on October 11, 1977.
• At Cascade Hills, 1978-80, where he served under Dr. Jim Lee, he married Deborah Michelle Raybon, (link photo) of Pinellas Park, Florida on July 1, 1980.
• At Pinehurst Baptist Church, 1980-83, where he served under Dr. Tony R. Dickerson, their first son would be born on October 14, 1982.
• Easter Sunday morning of April, 1983, with only 32 people present, Bill and Debbie were called to the Cascade Hills Church of Columbus, Georgia as Senior Pastor. The membership has grown today to exceed 8,000. His ministry at Cascade Hills has been blessed with uncommon anointing.

He went on to earn the following degrees from Luther Rice Seminary: Master of Arts, (M.A.), Master of Divinity, (M.Div.) Magna Cum Laude (4.0), Doctor of Ministry, (D.Min.) Magna Cum Laude (4.0). He also holds a Doctor of Divinity degree (D.D.) from The Southern California Theological Seminary.

Bill and Debbie are blessed with three grown sons; B.J., Brent, & Blake.

*B.J., an Auburn University graduate, is married to his wife Loryn. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Columbus State University. She was a former Young Life leader and softball player. He is a committed Christian with a love for surfing, travel, and the outdoors. He presently serves in youth ministry but desires to live on the West Coast one day.

*Brent, a college student, is President of a Leadership Development Company and presently serves as Administrator for Cascade Hills. He is married to his wife Carrie, a fourth grade teacher at New Mountain Hill Elementary School. He is a dedicated Christian with a high gift of discernment and a passion for financial excellence in ministry.

*Blake, the youngest is a pilot. He trained in Aviation at Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida and at CSG Aviation where he earned his private, instrument & commercial certificates by the age of 19. As a Christian he has enjoyed using his gifts when needed, to take food and supplies to Costa Rica and surrounding area on mission trips.

Bill’s passions are his wife Debbie, his family and the Word of God. “Debbie is truly my soul-mate” He says, “She is my most trusted advisor, my best friend, and the best example of a wife and mother that I know of”. Cascade Hills Church has been blessed by God with almost 200,000 sq. feet of buildings sitting on 43 acres of prime property along the North Bypass in Columbus, Georgia. The church recently added a television outreach to it’s ministry that grew rapidly to an estimated 78 million+ households in America. The 11:00 am Sunday Service can also be viewed LIVE by internet.

Bill’s doctrinal beliefs are found on our Church doctrinal page.

His spiritual gift is leadership and his passion is evangelism.

Read an interview with Senior Pastor, Bill Purvis, as he shares his heart with us.

Bill Purvis' interview with "The Leadership Blog."