PASTOR JAMES E. LAWSON JR.
Pastor James E. Lawson, Jr. was born November 5, 1958, the second of 8 children, to Dr. James and Omega Lawson in Bastrop, Louisiana. At an early age he accepted Christ and was baptized in the "round hole" by his father Pastor James E. Lawson Sr. In 1976 he graduated from Bastrop High School then 5 days later he joined the Military under the U.S. Navy where he served 4 years as an Aviation Electronic Tech, touring in Asia.
Body building, sports, and music have always been his passion. He participated in his high school marching band, choir, and orchestra; in the navy choir and band. He was also a disc jockey for P.A.C.E.( People Actively Creating Entertainment Setters and 2J (To Jam or not to Jam) Production Record Company.
As a successful businessman Pastor Lawson has worked as a general contractor and in the industries of music, aviation, taxes, construction, and logistics.
Pastor Lawson is a proud father of 7 kids (Jamisa, James III (deceased), Jennifer, John, Jade, Terrance, Terrell and many grandchildren.
Pastor Lawson excepted is call to the ministry in 1985 and his first sermon was "The Same Jesus." Pastor Lawson is committed to preaching and teaching the Bible. He hs served at New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, New Jerusalem #2 Baptist Church (Pastor John W. Williams), New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church (Pastor Willie Minor Jr.), all of Bastrop LA. He also served as assistant pastor at Saints' Rest Missionary Baptist Church, under his father Pastor James E. Lawson Sr. He has also served as Pastor of Marion Baptist Church in Marion LA. In September 2003 Pastor Lawson was called to Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in San Francisco then relocated the church to Oakland, CA. From 2012 to 2016 he served as Interim Pastor at Saints' Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Under Pastor Lawson's leadership Greater Faith member joined Saints' Rest.
Pastor Lawson comes from a family of Men of God, including his father Dr. James E. Lawson, Sr, two younger brothers Pastor Martin Luther Lawson, Sr, and Dr. Gregory Orlando Lawson.
Pastor Lawson is a dynamic and committed preacher, teacher, and counselor who leads with wisdom, passion, integrity, and faithfulness. He believes in following the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. His favorite quote is: THE DEVIL IS A LIE! Pastor Lawson's defining model for his ministry is taken out of Isaiah 6, "Here am I send me."
Pastor Martin Lawson, Sr.
(Assistant to the Pastor)
Pastor Martin Lawson, Sr is a sinner saved by the grace of Almighty God. Pastor Lawson has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from California State University, Hayward and is currently completing his Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to being a spirit-filled proclaimer of God's Word, Pastor Lawson is also a self-employed Real Estate investor and Developer of 22 years. In February of 2019 Pastor Lawson became an Agency Owner of a Farmers Insurance Agency in Oakland, CA.
Pastor Martin Lawson has been married to his lovely wife Louise for 25 years and God has blessed their union with 5 children, Martesha, Leijia, Malaya, Lela and Martin Jr. Pastor Lawson has a genuine love for people, especially youth and young adults. This passion inspired Pastor Lawson to form Embracing Our Future Foundation, which is a grass roots Non-Profit Organization that seeks to embrace, nurture and equip inner city young people to be become responsible and productive assets to their communities.
Pastor Lawson was licensed and ordained to preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ in June of 2003. While working in God's Vineyard, Pastor Lawson has served God's people as Youth Minister, Youth and Young Adult Pastor, Interim Pastor, Senior Pastor and Church Planter as the founding Pastor of Fresh Anointing Community Church of Oakland, CA. Pastor Lawson currently is Assistant to the Pastor of the church where his late father pastored, Saint’s Rest MBC in Oakland, CA.