Leadership

Meet our Pastor, Rev. William D. Laird Jr and his wife and our Assistant Pastor, Rev. Robin H. Laird.

Our Pastor, Rev. William D. Laird Jr. was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. He was raised in a small town in Ohio called Adena. His family owned a restaurant and tavern where he was a bartender. After finishing high school in 1974, he entered the U.S. Air Force.

Our Assistant Pastor, Robin Drake, was born in Wheeling, WV on March 23, 1957. She grew up in the same town as Pastor Laird. The two however did not meet until June 1972. The two became good friends and that friendship blossomed into love.

Upon completion of basic training and tech school, William returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Sis Laird. In 1975, quickly following their marriage, they were transferred to Tucson, Arizona. Together, they began building their life and family. Although Pastor Laird was not raised in a Christian home, Sis Laird’s mother and grandmother were powerful women of God. With their encouragement, the young Mr. & Mrs. Laird began looking for a church to attend. In September of 1975 they visited Faith Tabernacle, pastored by Rev. Jerry Conner. Soon, God began to speak to his heart about the need for salvation. God filled him with the Holy Ghost in April of 1976, only a short time before their only son, Christopher, was born in May. Sis Laird renewed her relationship with God. She feels blessed to be a third generation Apostolic believer.

The young couple was so excited to share what God had done for them.  They began working in the Sunday School dept., singing in the church choir and teaching home Bible studies. Pastor Laird was mentored by Pastor Conner and was licensed with the United Pentecostal Church International in 1981. In time, God began to deal with him to return back east to start a “Faith Tabernacle” in Pennsylvania. The rest is history!

The Lairds have a great burden for the lost. They strongly believe in teaching others the plan of salvation, making sure they are prepared for the return of the Lord. Their goal is to reach as many souls in New Kensington, and the surrounding areas, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.