About

Lakewood Church International is a vibrant community rooted in faith, love, and service. 

We believe in the transformative power of God's Word and strive to create a welcoming space for all. 

We are a family, united in worship and dedicated to living out our mission: "Go therefore and make disciples." Through engaging teachings, uplifting music, and diverse ministries, we empower individuals to grow spiritually and impact the world around them. We are committed to fostering genuine connection and equipping believers to "enter to worship, depart to serve." Join us as we journey together in faith.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

Our Mission

Our Story

Our Roots

Lakewood Church International is a community of loving and committed believers dedicated to sharing the good news and the love of Jesus Christ.

In 2003, Pastor Victor L. Forkland, along with his family and close friends, founded Lakewood Church International with a vision to help others experience the joy of a faithful relationship with God. The church first opened its doors on January 4, 2004, at Riley Elementary School, where Pastor Forkland passionately led the congregation in worship and service.

As the church grew, God provided a new home, and in December 2007, Lakewood Church International relocated to a storefront at 3127 E. South Street, Long Beach. To commemorate this transition, Pastor Forkland and members of the congregation walked from Riley Elementary to their new location, embodying the spirit of Psalms 100:4—entering their new space with thanksgiving and praise. Pastor Forkland instilled in his church the values of humility, honesty, selflessness, and generosity, shaping the heart of the congregation.

On February 24, 2011, God called Pastor Forkland home. His passing was a great loss, but his legacy of faith and leadership remained strong. In accordance with John 15:26, God provided a comforter in Pastor Charles Belvin, who stepped in to lead the congregation. With the support of his team, Pastor Belvin has continued guiding the church, fostering spiritual growth, and strengthening the members’ relationship with God.

Lakewood Church International remains steadfast in its mission to serve, uplift, and share the love of Christ with all who seek Him.

Our Journey

Over the years, Lakewood Church International has remained dedicated to spiritual growth, community outreach, and fellowship. We have hosted impactful Fall revivals, united in church-wide fasting each year, and extended support to the homeless through food and clothing drives. Our commitment to sharing the gospel has led us into the community, spreading faith beyond our walls.

Fellowship is at the heart of our ministry. Our yearly Christmas dinner is a cherished tradition filled with joy and connection, while our Seniors' Brunch honors those 65 and older with love and appreciation. We have also experienced powerful moments of prayer during all-night shut-ins, deepening our collective faith.

As our church has grown, so have our ministries. We proudly established a Children's Church to nurture the faith of our youngest members. We also offer a Spanish-language service led by Pastor Ricardo Vargas, ensuring that more people in our community can worship and grow in their faith.

A significant milestone in our journey occurred on February 16, 2025, when we moved to our new location at 3516 Linden Ave, Long Beach, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our congregation.

Lakewood Church International continues to stand as a beacon of faith, service, and community, embracing the journey ahead with hope and purpose.

Our Future

Looking ahead, our commitment to the well-being and progress of Lakewood Church International remains unwavering. We are dedicated to expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and strengthening our connections within the community. Our vision is to be a greater force for transformation—spiritually, socially, and globally.

At the heart of our mission is spiritual growth. We seek to build up believers in the faith, equipping them to fulfill the Great Commission as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20. As we disciple and empower individuals, we will go wherever the Lord leads, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled through us.

We invite you to be an integral part of this journey, using your unique gifts to help shape a thriving, supportive, and faith-filled future for all. Together, we can make an enduring impact, bringing hope and light to those we serve.

Our Beliefs

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is God-breathed, without error, and the ultimate foundation for our faith and daily living. Through Scripture, God reveals His character, His plan for salvation, and His guidance for our lives. We trust in its truth, power, and timeless relevance to equip us for every good work.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, fully divine and fully human. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness, redemption, and the gift of eternal life. He is the perfect representation of God’s love, our Savior, our guide, and our eternal hope. We affirm His deity, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning death, and His bodily resurrection, through which He conquered sin and death for all who believe.

We believe the Holy Spirit is God's presence within us, empowering and guiding believers. He comforts, equips with spiritual gifts, and transforms us to live in obedience to God.

We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal, distinct in person yet one in essence. Together, they work in perfect unity in creation, redemption, and the fulfillment of God’s divine will.

We believe that salvation is a gift from God, given by His grace and received through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not earned by works but granted through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection. Through repentance and belief in Him, we are forgiven, redeemed, and brought into a restored relationship with God, receiving the promise of eternal life.