Shawn Layton is a devoted ministry director with over 18 years of diverse experience in various facets of church leadership and community engagement. His journey in ministry began with a pastoral internship in California, where he served in every ministry from the parking lot to the pulpit, gaining a comprehensive understanding of church operations. During this period, Shawn attended Vision International University, it was not the Lord’s timing for Shawn to move into that level of ministry, and Shawn lead back to the state of Washington. This foundation in biblical education has profoundly influenced his approach to ministry, focusing on discipleship, community building, and spiritual growth.
Upon his transition back to the greater Seattle area, where he took on multiple leadership roles at several churches, including community group leader, redemption group leader, volunteer biblical counselor, and member of the in-service prayer team. He served as a community group leader, Every Man a Warrior leader, in men’s ministry. His current focus is on discipleship and biblical counseling, leading multiple groups of men through the “Every Man a Warrior” curriculum. Shawn also served on the church’s first impressions team, welcoming new attendees and ensuring they feel part of the community. He has completed extensive biblical counseling training and provided guidance to dozens of men, helping them deepen their relationship with Jesus. Shawn’s dedication to fostering spiritual development continued as he led and hosted discipleship groups, guiding participants through transformative processes of redemption and healing.
Shawn along with his wife have been a part of a church plant in Seattle and are transitioning into “Freedom in Christ” groups. Focusing on deliverance from bondage of our past to freedom that can only come through a personal relationship with the One who paid it all. His financial advisory practice allows him to dedicate substantial time to his ministry work, balancing his professional and spiritual commitments effectively without taking any monetary allowance from the ministry.
In 2023, Shawn and his wife, Raquel, felt the Lord’s prompting to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, furthering their vision for New Beginning Ministries. Their mission includes supporting pastors, missions, and ministries both financially and through direct involvement. Shawn and Raquel receive no monetary compensation at this fledgling state in their ministry. They recently celebrated the miraculous completion of a church in Brazil, a project they funded themselves, showcasing their commitment to expanding the Kingdom of God. On the horizon they are being led to start an orphanage to help stop child trafficking and abuse in Brazil. Shawn and Raquel co-lead the “Freedom in Christ” group, and their shared vision includes the construction of additional churches and orphanages in the United States and Brazil. Together, they emphasize unity, the power of prayer and fasting, and a deep reliance on Jesus in all their endeavors.
