Hartsville’s Jerusalem Baptist Church welcomes new pastor
By JIM FAILE
Jerusalem Baptist Church, Hartsville’s oldest African American church, welcomed its new pastor Saturday after nearly two years without a pastor.
The Rev. Michael F. Harris Jr. received a Bible and a set of keys to the building during an installation service at Jerusalem.
The new pastor said he was honored to be called to Jerusalem Baptist. Speaking to the congregation, Harris said he is “grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Jerusalem Baptist Church” and is “excited about moving forward and doing God’s will.”
He also introduced the special speaker for the service, the Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Lynch, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., where Harris served under his leadership at Ebenezer Baptist in capacities in the youth department, new members classes and the Ebenezer Minister in Training Program.
“Jerusalem Baptist Church has looked forward to this day for many months now,” said Deacon David McFarland.
A native of Rockville, N.Y., Harris graduated from Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1990 after moving there with his family in 1980.He served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1992.
He returned to New York in 1995 working in a variety of at various hospitals.
He relocated to Charlotte in 2005. Harris worked in the medical field for 20 years before leaving it to pursue the role of church pastor.
He acknowledged his call to the ministry in 2001 and began his training for the ministry. He was ordained under the leadership of Moderator Lincoln Lee.
Harris took his initial seminary training at the Virginia University of Lynchburg and is currently a student at New Life Theological Seminary in Charlotte. He will graduate in the spring of 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in biblical studies with a concentration in pastoral ministries.
Harris is married to the former Kimberly Crawford, and is the father of three children, Jasmine, Michael Jr. and Joshua.
He said his life’s motto is: “It’s not about me, but to God be the glory.”