Pastor Ron Harper was born to the union of Floyd Lewis Harper, Pastor of Pure Church of Righteousness, Chipley FL and Lorraine Randolph Harper of Pompano Beach Florida. Being raised in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Harper was known as the High School Hoops star at South Plantation High School. His skill on the basketball court earned him full scholarship to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business and became a college all-American. He was employed in retail management and playing semi-professional basketball until his life took a turn which lead him to drug distribution and addiction and as a result forced him into a downward spiral.

 

But, thanks unto God for His grace and mercy! Like the Prodigal Son, he came to himself, remembering who God was and that He saves. Elder Ron began to go back to the place where he was brought up, the church. On February, 1994, Ron gave his life to the Lord during a Youth revival lead by Bishop Darrell Hines. In 1996, Minister Ron answered his calling to the gospel preaching ministry under the leadership of the late Superintendent Robert Lee Robinson, Pastor of Thomas Temple Church of God in Christ. In 1998, he was ordained an elder in the Church of God in Christ by the honorable Bishop Jacob Cohen, Jurisdictional Prelate Emeritus, of the Florida Eastern (Eastern Florida) Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. As an Associate Elder he was fortunate to work alongside his spiritual father Superintendent Roger A. Grimes, working diligently as the Event Coordinator, for Collaboration for Restoring Families, a non-profit organization founded by Supt. Roger Grimes . After the pastoral retirement of Elder James Thomas Jr., founder of New First Church, Church of God in Christ, Bishop Cohen saw the pastoral calling over the life Elder Ron and installed him as pastor in 2012.

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Pastor Ron turned from a crime ridden life to devote his life to helping others, working with Workforce One, ChildNet, Mount Olive Development Corporation, and local establishments through mentoring, mentor training and employment specialist. Throughout South Florida, He served in many capacities in his local community, empowering men and women who struggled with same challenges he faced. Pastor Ron currently serves as Chairman, of the C.H Mason District to the district superintendent, Superintendent Sylvester Wright Sr. In Janurary 2017, Pastor Ron was installed as President of the Department of Evangelism for the Florida Eastern Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, 112 churches, under the leadership of Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop Jimmie L. Williams. Pastor Ron is a devoted pastor, father and husband. March 20th 1996 he married the lovely Stephanie Boothe-Harper whom is well known as his P.Y.T (pretty young thing). Together they work tirelessly in the ministry. Pastor Ron and Lady Stephanie have three children Lavar Sr, Lavonna Harper-Shannon, and Malik. They are the newly grandparents of Lavar II.

 

Throughout the many challenges and accomplishments, Pastor Ron exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader, a man after God’s own heart. Through his evangelistic ministry, many lives have been saved, miracles have been done, and communities are impacted by his love and compassion for people. He is gifted with a prophetic anointing and through his teaching he brings revelation and clarity to the Word of God. He is well known his favorite teaching “Information Without Application is Abortion.” But, above all else, he is saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost.