Pastor Brian E. Hawkins started his life of service differently than most. He has come a long way from his early days of a difficult start, misfortune, and with few financial resources to draw upon.

His life story is a powerful and teachable example of how anyone can overcome a problematic start in life. Through sheer will and determination he has become a Pastor, respected elected city Councilman and community leader. And now, candidate for Congress in District CA-25.In 1996 his last year of high school, just seven days past his 18th birthday he became a victim of the unfair aspects inherent in the Three Strikes Law. He was charged with a crime that he did not commit and because he was seven days over 18 sent to jail. He and his family could not afford bail money or a good lawyer. So, he took the ill-advised advice of a disinterested Public Defender who told him to take a plea of nolo contendere. He could get out of jail with no “adverse effects”. However, there was an adverse effect as it became his first strike.In 1997, he had the misfortune of borrowing a car from a friend to get to work unbeknownst to him at the time the car was stolen. Again, on the ill-advise of the Public Defender pleaded nolo contendere. And, in 2004, the final strike came when his rental car he was driving was reported stolen because it was three days overdue. His friend with whom he rented the car forgot to call the rental agency for an extension. Misfortune, bad timing and the lack of adequate legal advice cost him ten early years of his life incarcerated.