William S. Barnes has been the Lead Pastor of St. Luke's since June 1992. Since that time St. Luke's has grown to be one of the largest and most influential congregations in the United Methodist denomination.

A graduate of Emory University with degrees in both business administration and theology, he has served in rural, urban, and suburban churches, as well as Chaplain of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He is well known in Orlando for founding Shepherd’s Hope a faith-based volunteer health care organization for the uninsured.

Bill is married to Kim, who designs her own line of custom jewelry. They have two grown children.