Pastor

Wayne Eden Lawrence was born in 1958 in the parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica, the fourth child of Mr. Frank Denzil and Mrs. Pauline Juliet Lawrence. On May 16, 1974, Wayne and his brothers and sisters immigrated to the United States. Wayne attended Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, New York, where he met the young lady who would later become his wife, Jacqueline Yvonne Lewis. She has been his best friend since high school. Soon after high school, they were married, and have four children: Janetta, Tamar, Jonathan, and Sara.

During the early years of being a husband, a father, and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, the Lord awakened in Wayne a strong desire to serve Him in the capacity of the Blessed Holy Ministry. During these years, a thirst for the word of the Lord and a zeal for the house of the Lord consumed Wayne. He worked at nights as a computer operator while his wife, Jackie, went to school in the days to study nursing. He also served the Lord and the Church as a Deacon for more than six years. He taught Sunday School, VBS, and participated in chancel dramas. Very fruitful during these years also for Wayne was having a mentor in the Reverend Larry Vogel. Pastor Vogel taught him much theology and what it means to be Lutheran.

After his wife, Jackie, became a Registered Nurse and began to work, Wayne resigned from his job and began his studies for the Holy Ministry at Concordia College, Bronxville, majoring in Judeo-Christian Heritage. After receiving his BA, the Lawrences made the big move to St. Louis, Missouri, where Wayne studied for five years at Concordia Seminary and received his Master of Divinity degree. Wayne was first called to the English Evangelical Church of the Redeemer, St. Albans, New York, where he served faithfully for over four years.

He is now called to St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, University City, Missouri, where he continues to serve his Lord by serving his Church through Word and Sacrament ministry.