We were lucky to catch up with Lamar Hardwick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lamar, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

In 2014, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. I also live wit cancer and I am an advocate for persons with disability and chronic illnesses.

Lamar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Lamar Hardwick. Most people online know me as the “Autism Pastor” because at the age of 36, after years of silently struggling with social anxiety and sensory processing disorder, I was diagnosed with autism. I am the Lead Pastor of Tri-Cities Church in East Point, GA., and I have been pastoring churches for the last 20-plus years. When I was finally diagnosed with autism I begin working to help make churches, faith-based organizations, and schools more disability inclusive. I have worked with many organizations including major universities, hospitals, and civic organizations to help them include disability in their discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the last several years I have traveled the United States speaking at conferences and consulting with businesses and churches. I am an award-winning disability rights activist, and my most recent book Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion won the 2021 Readers Choice Award. I have multiple degrees including a doctoral degree from Liberty University School of Divinity. I am also a graduate of Emory University as well as a graduate of the clergy scholar program at Yale Divinity. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in ethics.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In addition to living and leading as a person with a disability, I am also currently battling cancer for the second time in two years. In the fall of 2020, I was diagnosed with stage three cancer. After nearly a year of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery I went into remission. Unfortunately after just a year in remission, my cancer returned and I am now resuming treatment. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful and I continue to do the work of leading my church and advocating for disability rights as well as my newfound passion for advocating for the well-being of cancer patients and cancer survivors. Although I am still very much in the heat of my own battle with chronic cancer, I have discovered an additional purpose and calling to aid others in walking this difficult path. I want to be a spiritual support for others who understand what it is like to live with a disability, chronic illness, or cancer and I have used my national platform as a speaker, author, scholar, and pastor to bring hope to countless individuals and families using social media and technology to share hope with them.

How did you build your audience on social media?

To date, I have built a platform of thousands across multiple social media platforms which I use to share messages and sermons, as well as my writing and research on disability theory, theology, and ethics. I also use social media to share my books as well as conduct webinars and training for interested parties. Growing a social media platform takes time. I have been growing my platform since 2014 when I began writing about being an adult diagnosed with autism and how autism impacted my day-to-day life including how I lead in my community and my church. My advice for growing a platform on social media is to first find your niche. Discover your unique voice and develop it. Look for places where there are gaps in knowledge and representation and fill the void. When I first began there was very little representation of the Black community and autism and other disabilities. There was even less of an online presence for people of color sharing their religious experiences while navigating a life with a disability. As a pastor, I felt that I could use my already existing platform to share important information with the Black community as well as help organizations seeking to become diverse to focus on the disabled community and disabled people of color. If you want to grow your platform have something that is going to add value to underserved communities and add your voice to the discussions about that topic or issue. The growth won’t be fast, but you will not only grow followers you will gain supporters for your work or business. Stay engaged with them and don’t be afraid to share your life with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: autismpastor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamarhardwick/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autismpastor
• Twitter: @autismpastor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUOWBNx3yKpFKKH_XCuqgrA

Image Credits
Tonesha Smith Photography Kamesa Yvonne Photography