In the early seventies God planted the seed for this ministry in the heart of a maturing young man from Oakland, California named Walter Hawkins. Walter accepted God’s call to pastor, attended seminary, received his ministerial license, and was ordained by his pastor, Bishop E. E. Cleveland of the Ephesians Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California. From there, Walter established Love Center Church in 1972.

Pastor Hawkins grew Love Center exponentially over the years and in 2000 he was consecrated to the bishopric. Having passed away in 2011, Bishop Walter Hawkins leaves a rich legacy of ministry.