Dr. Lawrence Murray is a native of Los Angeles, California and he is the youngest of

nine children. He has been preaching the gospel for over 35 years. At 12 years old,

He began preaching under the tutelage of Bro. R.N. Hogan. He has had the privilege

of working with Billy Curl for 3 years in the late 80’s and early 90’s.  In 1993, the

Compton Avenue Church selected him to serve as senior minister at the tender age

of 25 years old. As minister for the Compton Avenue Church, he was responsible for

all pastoral duties. In addition to his pastoral duties, Dr. Murray maintained a weekly

radio broadcast on KJLH 102.3 F.M. entitled, “Let the Bible Speak.”

 

Dr. Murray was loyal to the growth and development of the Compton Avenue Church for eleven solid years. His educational background includes Southwestern Christian College, Terrell, TX. Pepperdine University, Malibu, Ca, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Master of Arts in Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in June of 2004, and was honored with full regalia in June 2005. His dissertation is looking at the Relationship Between perceived influence of Race Marital Satisfaction and Depression among African-American married people.

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Dr. Murray was a staff research associate at U.C.L.A’s Neuropsychiatric & Bio-Behavioral Institute with the renowned Dr. Gail Wyatt. He was also privileged to work with court-mandated populations throughout the city of Los Angeles, California. He has also worked at the King Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles; working with populations within Augustus F. Hawkins mental Health clinic. His most critical challenge was working with children at the prestigious Children’s Institute International (CII) in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Murray states that his exposure to Dr. Hershel Swinger (Founder/Director of Project Fatherhood-CII) was a God-send and changed the trajectory of how he parents. Dr. Murray views his work for the Lord as his highest calling. He states, “A personal relationship with Christ is the main objective of all true disciples.” He also believes that the light of salvation is truly on when Christ becomes alive in the daily walk.

 

Dr. Murray has been married for Twenty years to Cynthia D. Murray and they are the proud parents of Whitney Simone Murray (18), and Hannah Nicole Murray (16). Six years ago, The Murray’s moved from Los Angeles, California to Edmond, Oklahoma. Currently Dr. Murray is the Assistant Professor of Psychology & Family Studies/ Liberal Arts at Oklahoma Christian University. He stays actively involved in Clinical Therapy and psychological research. He is currently writing a book on the psychological cycle of addictive behaviors. Dr. Murray is filled with passion and enjoys the craft of expository preaching and ministering to the saints in the Lord’s Church. In 2009, Dr. Murray began serving as Missionary to the saints in Ethiopia; each year he travels to East Africa with Oklahoma Christian University students. His primary mission is to strengthen the churches and support the Antcha School (current enrollment of 900 Pre-k- 12th grade Senior high school students) in the countryside. He served as the Minister of the Spencer Church of Christ in Spencer, Oklahoma until the Lord moved him to cast the vision for The Way Church.

 

"My overall objective is to lead God’s people in using their gifts and edifying of the body of Christ.  The body of Christ is not a legalistic organization, but a living organism." - Dr. Lawrence Murray