Founder and CEO of
Queen Esther's Place

Pastor LaShon Young is a native of Gainesville Florida. At the age of sixteen (16), she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. As she grew in the Lord, she became very aware of His call upon her life. Through the years, she has diligently served the Lord. She is forever grateful for the foundation and godly training from her dear “mama” Francis Martin, a sanctified Missionary who raised her in the fear of the Lord.

Pastor LaShon is a second-generation life-long member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. She faithfully attended Williams Temple COGIC in Gainesville, Florida under the leadership of Bishop Henry Williams, the founder of Williams Temple.  By the time she was 7 Bishop Henry Williams had died and Dr. D.R. Williams became her Pastor. She remained under the leadership of Dr. D.R. Williams until getting married at the age of 25 years old to the late Superintendent Aaron S. Young, Sr. and was Co-Pastor with him for 20 years at their church in Gainesville, Florida.  Following her husband's death, she served as the leader of that church until obeying the Lord’s leading in 2019 to launch Fresh Start Ministries of Gainesville.  

Pastor LaShon Young is the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for the Central Florida First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction COGIC, under the leadership of Bishop Gary L. Hall Sr.

Pastor LaShon is also one who believes in serving her community outside of the four walls of the church.  Because of this belief she has given herself to community services, such as but not limited to, Dr. Aaron S. Young Scholarship fund, spearheading a mentoring group called “Pink Girls” for elementary school girls, with the Women in Ministry Network, Inc. which is a women’s ministry organization she founded in 2018.  The purpose of this organization is to provide mentorship, support and collaboration for female Pastors and Co-Pastors.  It encourages self-development as well as community involvement.  They speak to issues of the community such as gun violence, housing, and food disparities in underserved areas of the city.  She initiated, Knowledge is Power Tutoring program, sponsored a Teen-support group (T.H.U.N.D.E.R),

For most of her adult life she has been a mentor to teen girls and has facilitated safe housing for them even if it was her home.  She collaborated with community leaders, Chief Tony Jones, along with local pastors and sponsored a day of community unity.  She has facilitated workshops for the Harbor House of Gainesville.  Collects Comforts for comfort (comforters for homeless during winter), Annual Sock drive for Seniors in nursing care facility for 5years, volunteered and carried supplies after Hurricane Michael to Panama City, partnered with COGIC missions to send over 700 pillow dresses to young girls in Africa, served in over 13 Foodshare drives during COVID-19 pandemic and she continues to make time in her schedule to volunteering whenever the opportunity arises. 

As a visionary leader, she has vision that has been launched in her jurisdiction, Central Florida First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, Inc.  With the blessing of her jurisdictional prelate, Bishop Gary L. Hall Sr. She initiated Project “75” for Queen Esther’s Place, which is a safe haven for girls in Foster Care ages 13-18 who have no where to go.  It is her vision that a safe place "Queen Ester's Place" will be available in all three regions of their jurisdiction.

One of her greatest joys is being the proud mother of four wonderful children and a daughter-in-love, Aaron, Ariana, Austin (Tiesha), Angel and is the “Mema” to four beautiful grandchildren. 

Pastor Young is the Owner of Adult Care Express, LLC, a retired nurse, has a Master’s Degree of Theology, and Honorary Doctorate of Humanities,  Board Member of ACCPA (Alachua County Christian Pastors Association), Board Member of ACCERT (Alachua County Empowerment Revival Team), Founder of WIMN of Gainesville, President and founder of the SOLID Academy of Central Florida First Jurisdiction, COGIC, Past board member the University of Florida’s  Community Based Educational Program, Served as  State Missions Department Chairlady (2007-20009), Served as State Evangelism Department Chairlady (2009-2020), served as Women’s Department Public Relations President, Administrative Assist, Women’s Dept.  but most all she’s sanctified, loves serving the Lord Jesus Christ, his people, and her community.