Moderator
Reverend William Thomas Rucker, Jr., is the son of Gloria Rucker Lomax and the late William T. Rucker Sr. and is a native of Steelton, PA. He received his education in Harrisburg, Central Dauphin High School, Opportunities Industrialization Center and the American Baptist Church.
William came to know Jesus as his personal Savior at an early age and became active in the New Hope Living Baptist Church (formally known as New Hope Primitive Baptist Church) almost immediately. At the age of 13, he became a Junior Deacon and at age 14 he joined the Usher Board. One of the most influential men in Bili’s life was his grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Scott A. White Sr., who was his Pastor, Teacher and Mentor. When Bili was age 16 he was ordained as a Deacon. He was called into the Gospel Ministry in 1976. He was elected as Pastor of the New Hope Living Baptist Church on November 14, 2009.
Rev. Rucker attended the Grace Bible School of Theology and graduated with his Masters Degree in Theology.
Rev. Rucker is employed at SPCC in Mechanicsburg, Pa. after having worked at the Hershey Food Company for thirteen years. He is a gospel D.J. He hosted a broadcast on 720 AM radio on Saturdays from12:00 to 3 PM and also on some Sunday evenings. He offered words of encouragement, music and prayer. Rev. Rucker loves to sing and is a member of the Scott White Family Evangelist Crusade. One of the largest family singing groups in the nation.
Rev. Rucker is a member of and also served as an Area Minister in the Second National Baptist Association for the member churches in the Pennsylvania Area. He is affiliated with the American Baptist Association, African American Ministers’ Alliance of Steelton and Vicinity (AAMA). and also the Harrisburg Ministers Alliance.
Rev. William T. Rucker Jr., is married to the former Wanda James and together they have one daughter, Brittany Paris.
Rev. Rucker is a humble man who truly loves the Lord. His motto for life is from the old gospel song, “If I can help somebody as I travel on, then my living shall not be in vain.” His favorite scripture is found in Psalm 63:8. “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.”