Lacy Hawkins was called to the ministry to build churches and started his work in Berkeley, CA on April 7, 1974.  Even though he had received several confirmations from the Lord to start a church, he proceeded cautiously and prayerfully before he opened his first church location.

At the time of his calling, he was working for the Federal Government overseeing grants for social programs for the state of California so he was very familiar with what was required to do things the right way.  His heart was always to set things up the right way to protect the people of God. So he embarked upon the arduous task of applying for a nonprofit exemption, he knew it would be a long, time consuming process. When Lacy Hawkins went to Sacramento, CA to file for his tax exemption he engaged in conversation with the clerk assisting him who remarked to him that they were backlogged with submissions. But, she said the secretary of state was in his office and she allowed him to go in and his application was signed immediately and his tax exemption for the state was official in one visit.

Although this was a major milestone, he knew that the state tax exemption was invalid unless he filed with the federal government.  So, the next day Lacy Hawkins went to San Francisco to file with the federal government. He introduced himself to the clerk and explained that he would be starting a church and needed to file for his federal tax exemption.  After some friendly small talk, the clerk told him that she felt he was a very nice individual and made the decision to process his paperwork on the spot and he received his tax exemption from the federal government as well without any delay.

From the humble beginnings of registering to be a nonprofit church, Lacy Hawkins has spent 45 years building churches from every aspect where the Lord has sent him and opened a door.  He is versed in the requirements for the legal setup of a church but he has also constructed four church buildings in California and Louisiana, two gymnasiums in California for the youth, purchased and renovated two church buildings in Texas and Ohio and leased countless facilities while establishing new works in Georgia, North Carolina and several cities in California.  From filings with government entities, to purchasing or constructing a building, from financial stewardship, to establishing an operation to support the church, to creating the right environment for members to develop in Christ; Lacy Hawkins has shown he has the knowledge and wisdom to build a strong, healthy church.