Reverend Lawrence E. Aker, III

Biography

Pastor Lawrence E. Aker, III currently serves as Lead Pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York. In 2003, he was elected as the eighth pastor in the church’s history succeeding his spiritual mentor, Rev. Dr. Harry S. Wright, Sr. Pastor Aker, a native of Oakland, California, was raised in Dallas, Texas. 

Under his leadership in 2022 Cornerstone Baptist Church served as a vaccination center throughout the pandemic, collaborated with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to host the largest community gun buy back in Brooklyn’s history, and partnered with Chef Andrés of World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals daily to the community. 

Recognized as one the top 100 Faith Leaders in NYC, Pastor Aker has been called upon to speak throughout his community, country, and internationally. He has been featured on local television programs and works to improve the physical and mental health in the Brooklyn community. Pastor Aker partnered with United Health to provide weekly onsite healthy living workshops, food preparation classes, and blood pressure monitoring. He also partnered with local community groups to address food insecurity in the Bed-Stuy community. 

As Senior Pastor, Rev. Aker and the Cornerstone Baptist Church (CBC) Development Center manages the churches Sandy F. Ray Nursing home, an apartment complex and brownstone residence/offices. Under his leadership, the church has successfully renovated the exterior of the edifice, established a community youth basketball program, and increased its membership. 

Pastor Aker has also been blessed with the opportunity to study Biblical Archaeology at The Holy land Institute in Jerusalem and has had the opportunity to preach in Zimbabwe, Africa, London, England, and Seoul, South Korea. He graduated cum laude from Howard University with a B.A. in Communications. He holds a Master in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary; a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale University, and is presently a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He is aa founding board member of IC3 (Issachar Conference). 

Pastor Aker is a family man and resides in Brooklyn with his wife and college sweetheart, Cynthia. They are the proud parents of one son Lawrence IV, and two daughters, Karina Vivian and Nyla Victoria.