Pastor Lawrence Shakir is the founding Pastor of The Foundation of the World Church and President of Lawrence Shakir Ministries. He and his wife, Danetria Shakir, have two adult sons, Joshua and Isaiah. In his spare time, Pastor Shakir enjoys playing video games, and he and his wife enjoy traveling together, especially taking cruises and spending quality time as a family. Since accepting his ministerial call in January 2000, Pastor Shakir has been committed to teaching the Word of God in practical and easy-to-understand ways, helping people build a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

His ministry began with children’s and family Bible studies, which grew as unchurched and hurting individuals sought real answers and a stronger spiritual foundation.
After years of serving in ministry and helping develop youth and children’s programs, Pastor Shakir launched The Foundation of the World Church in 2015, with a mission centered on building a Godly Foundation in the lives of people.

In 2022, after much prayer and seeking God’s direction, he made the decision to close the church building and transition into a new season of ministry. He opened his own studio, where he continues to provide biblical teaching and spiritual encouragement through recorded messages and online outreach.

Pastor Shakir also owns and operates his own Semi truck, often podcasting and sharing biblical teachings while traveling over the road, allowing him to reach people in unique and practical ways. Within this website, visitors will also have access to over 500 teaching sermons available for learning, growth, and spiritual encouragement.

WHAT WE BELIEVE- Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE the BIBLE is the inspired Word of God and is our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

WE BELIEVE in the one true GOD who has revealed and manifested Himself in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19).

WE BELIEVE that it is impossible to come to God the Father by any other means than through THE SON, the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood (John 14:6; Acts 4:19).

WE BELIEVE that through ADAM’S FALL, sin came into the world and man’s first steps to the New Birth experience is repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 5:12-15; Mark 1:15).

WE BELIEVE in WATER BAPTISM by immersion in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36-39).

WE BELIEVE in the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST with speaking in other tongues, as the Spirit gives the utterance, to be the initial evidence of a separate and distinct experience from the New Birth experience and that it is a necessary, vital experience for empowerment and service (Acts 1:4-5,8; Acts 2:4, Luke 24:49; Acts 8:12,15-17).

WE BELIEVE in the doctrine of SANCTIFICATION as a definite, with progressive work of grace, beginning at the time of the new birth and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christ’s return (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14).

We BELIEVE in the sacredness of MARRIAGE between one man and one woman and family commitment. We promote strong family values. (Ephesians 5:31-33; Ephesians 6:1-4; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:5 Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:24)

WE BELIEVE it is essential that each believer lay a foundation of BIBLICAL TRUTH and experience upon which he builds his life (Hebrews 6:12; John 8:47).

WE BELIEVE the TITHE of our earnings is holy unto God (Malachi 3:8; Hebrews 7:4-10).

WE BELIEVE the nine GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT should be and must be operative in the church to enjoy the fullness of God (1 Corinthians 12:11).

WE BELIEVE in the doctrine of the LAYING ON OF HANDS for confirmation, ordination, impartation and ministry of healing to the sick (Acts 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6:2; Mark 16:18; Acts 8:17).

WE BELIEVE that HEALING (spiritually, mentally, physically) is a part of the atoning work of Jesus Christ and that it belongs to every believer today (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24)

WE BELIEVE that Jesus continues to bestow all five of the MINISTRY GIFTS (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) to His body. They are operative today for the perfecting of the saints to do the work of the ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:7-12).

WE BELIEVE in WOMEN IN MINISTRY; God's ministry and spiritual gifts are given without regard to ethnicity, social class or gender, "...he gave gifts to men" (Greek: anthropos, human being). (Ephesians 4:1-12; Galatians 3:26-28).

WE BELIEVE that APOSTOLIC ANOINTING is present and operative in the earth today to prepare and send forth believers to fulfill the great commission (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20).

WE BELIEVE in the imminent RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST and bodily rapture or resurrection of the church (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

WE BELIEVE in a literal HEAVEN AND HELL; those who physically die in Christ will immediately go to be with Him. Those who die without Christ will be eternally lost (Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 5:22; 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9).