Being called by the board of the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church of San Francisco, California, Reverend James Edward Lawson, Jr., was elected as Pastor by unanimous consent and by majority vote of the Board of Greater Faith and the Church Membership at-large.  He humbly and enthusiastically accepted this call in September, 2003.

   Coming from humble beginnings, Reverend James E. Lawson, Jr. was born the second of eight children to proud parents, Reverend Doctor James Edward Lawson, Sr. and Omega Ford-Lawson.  James Jr. accepted Christ at an early age, as did all of his siblings.  Being baptized by their father, Dr. Lawson Sr. in a little pond called “the Round Hole”, they all united with the New Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, also under the pastorate of their father, Dr. Lawson Sr.  James Jr. attended the Henry V. Adams Elementary School, and graduated from the Bastrop High School in 1976.  Upon graduating from High School, he received Music Scholarship offers from Mississippi Valley State University, and Grambling State University.  Choosing not to accept the scholarship offerings, James Edward Lawson Jr. chose to enter the United States Navy where he gained certification as an Aviation Ordnance Man and as an Aviation Electronics Technician before completing his tour of duty in 1980.

 

    Accepting his calling into the Gospel Ministry of Jesus Christ, Reverend James E. Lawson Jr. was greatly influenced by his father, as was his brothers Reverend Gregory Orlando Lawson, of Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church of Oakland, Ca. and Reverend Martin Luther Lawson of the Saint’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church, also of Oakland, Ca. and all of his other brothers and sisters.  Pastor Lawson Jr. Preached his first public sermon, “This Same Jesus”, at the Saint’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church, of Oakland, Ca. under the leadership and pastorate of his father Dr. James E. Lawson Sr.  In 1995, Reverend James E. Lawson Jr. was elected Assistant to the Pastor by the unanimous consent and majority vote of the Saint’s Rest membership at-large.  Pastor James E. Lawson Jr. is also the proud father of five children; Jamisa Javette, James lll, Jennifer Christine, John Taylor, and Jade Marie Lawson.

 

     In 1998, the hand of the Lord was heavy upon Pastor J. E. Lawson Jr.  And believing the Word of God as stated in Psalms 27:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” he was lead back to his birthplace, Bastrop Louisiana, he united with the New Jerusalem #2 Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend John W. Williams, and worked tirelessly with the church teaching ministries.  As Pastor Lawson Jr. continued to follow the Leadership of God, and after completing his service at New Jerusalem, he then united with the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Willie Minor, Jr. 

 

     Pastor James Edward Lawson Jr. was called as pastor of the Marion Missionary Baptist Church in Marion Louisiana where he remained for a period of two years.  And once again being led by the mighty hand of God, Pastor James Edward Lawson Jr. returned to Oakland California, and, as God would ordain, accepted the call of the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church of San Francisco California.

 

     As Pastor James E. Lawson Jr. has stated, “I believe that the Christian life is one that must be lived.  Our actions speak louder than our words.  People would rather see a sermon, than hear one any day of the week.  My task has always been to put the Gospel in a package so that what’s preached in the church on Sunday morning can be re-preached in the streets on Monday.  There has never been any greater time as now for the Gospel.  And as is stated in Mathew, 9:37, The Harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few…!  If no one else will go…send me, Lord, I’ll go."