Lawrence was initiated as a mara’akame (healer and ritual leader in the Wixárika or Huichol tradition of Mexico) in 2004. He and his wife Jessica De la O began serving as Firekeepers under the auspices of Sacred Fire that next year.

Lawrence’s greatest passion has been to bring healing and transformational learning to people from all walks of life. Before embarking on his apprenticeship as a mara’akame, he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Just long enough to realize he would not help the world from there!), served in the Peace Corps, and later earned a master’s degree in international relations and then a Ph.D. in education.

Since 2017, Lawrence has served as Executive Director of Sacred Fire – an international non-profit organization affiliated with the Blue Deer Center. Together, Sacred Fire and the Blue Deer Center are part of a “great endeavor” to bring traditional wisdom and healing to humanity at a time of great change and challenge.

Lawrence is an avid cyclist, enjoys visiting Fire communities near and far, and loves spending relaxing time with Jessica in nature. They reside in Carrollton, Georgia.