Community is a great word. Within the walls of this word is embodied the very meaning of Christianity, the word by which we will be known as Jesus’ disciples, love. Within a community of believers we find love, protection, support, care, empathy and most importantly we find Christ. My name is Edgar Harris. My job is to help build that community.

Through the tools given to us by God, I take groups and build within them the sense of community that we as Christians are meant to have. Using small groups, teaching, retreats, games, studies and one-on-one time, I and the leadership team God will place with me bring kids to a sense of the grace that Christ has given us and the value that each of us has through that grace. Countering the worlds teaching that we can do it alone with the message that we can only do it with Christ.

I appreciate your prayers on considering me for this position as a shepherd of your kids. I ask that if God leads you to call me, please do. These are not decisions that need to be based on one glance of a webpage but on hearts that are heard and prayers that are answered. I do ask that you pray for the preparation of the hearts of the kids God will bring into my borders, whither that is in service to your church body or another. May the grace that is the free gift of Christ Jesus be yours, deeply and passionately.

Educational Background

Troy State University, Bachelor of Science in Journalism with
an Advertising and Public Relations Contract. 1999

Work Experience

North American Mission Board - Curriculum Development Task Force (2008)
Part of a team responsible for the conceptualization, development and writing of nation wide curriculum designed to inspire and equip the next generation of front line missionaries for life on the mission field.

Interim Youth Minister -- Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville, Alabama (2008-2009)
Transitioned and grew a student ministry of 50+ students from minister based programs to ministry based programming.
Responsibilities included establishing of adult volunteer team, establishing and training of student staff, development of outreach/missions programming, development of in-reach/mentoring programs, consolidation of all areas of ministry into one unified goal, writing curriculum, teaching, preaching, discipleship, family counseling, and student counseling.

Licensed into Ministry -- Glynwood Baptist Church of Prattville, Alabama, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, licensed me into ministry. (2007)

Founder / Camp Director -- Agragape Retreats (2005-present)
Director responsibilities include conceptualization and writing of curriculum, retreat planning, marketing, management, and training of volunteer staff.   I also lead large group preaching, teaching and coordination of participants.   Counseling responsibilities include leading of small groups through camp curriculum, one on one counseling, bonding and maintaining a relevant edge with the students in group. Inspiring the students to a deeper more intentional walk with God.

Graphic Artist III -- Montgomery Advertiser (1999-2004, 2006-present)
Responsible for the creative direction, design, pre-press engineering and time management of Custom Publication magazines including Montgomery's Elite and Alabama Brides . Responsible for meeting daily publishing deadlines, ensuring production, and quality content of all ads created and/or assigned for the Montgomery Advertiser . Maintaining direct relationships with customers while creating effective advertising campaigns and material.   Assumes responsibility of Creative Supervisor in his/her absence. Other responsibilities include the design, layout and pagination of various newspapers in role as the back-up designer of off-site newspaper offices across the state.

Member of Board of Directors / Counselor -- Project American Life (2004-present)
Board responsibilities include conceptualization and implementation of new marketing materials and direction across all mediums within local and national markets.   Counseling responsibilities include teaching virtue-inspiring curriculum to a group of 10 sixth grade students from various demographics.

Teaching Director -- Teen Community Bible Study (2005-2007)
Led an Inter-denominational Para-Church Ministry for 9-12 graders.   Responsibilities included interviewing, hiring, coaching, teaching and equipping a 10 person volunteer staff.   Also led a weekly Bible study for 30-40 kids, maintained relationship with the greater community, and helped with financial planning and budgeting.  

Graphic Designer -- The Logo Loft (2005-2006)
Responsibilities included the successful development of a system to achieve and maintain a one-day turn around on all graphic design revisions. Responsible for the conceptualization of new logo designs, direct communication with customers and managing of the revision department workflow.

Marketing Director / Speaker -- Youth Connection (2004-2005)
Founded and grew a ministry to students. Created an atmosphere for music, message and meeting individual needs.   I was responsible for preaching a relevant evangelistic message during every meeting.   Over time, I helped grow a group of volunteers to serve in leadership roles.  

House Parent -- The House (2004-2005)
Responsibilities included budgeting for the home, standard maintenance, scheduling, as well as providing mentoring for students.   I also led weekly house meetings, Bible studies and created opportunities for students to help lead house events.  

Royal Ambassador Camp Pastor -- Alabama Baptist State Convention, (2004)
Preached nightly to groups of children and youth and spent the days counseling the students and staff.

College Bible Study Leader / Youth Minister -- Glynwood Baptist Church (2000-2003)
Founded and grew a weekly Bible Study from 1 to 20 members.
Responsibilities included planning weekly meetings, maintaining contact with membership, writing curriculum, teaching and one on one counseling.   Also served as interim youth minister and prepared group for the transition to a new youth minister.  

Royal Ambassador Camp Counselor -- Alabama Baptist Convention (1998-2001)
Lead a group of seven to fourteen boys each week, teaching Bible lessons, telling stories, entertaining, disciplining, counseling, befriending, and in general guiding them toward a life truly lived with Christ.   Other responsibilities included photography and promotional material design.

Youth Leader -- Bush Memorial Baptist Church (1997-1999)
Worked with a co-leader in guiding a youth ministry. Responsibilities included event planning, retreat planning, curriculum selection, teaching responsibilities, and one on one mentoring.

Youth Ministry Team -- Hephzibah Baptist Church (1995-1996)
Worked with a team to lead a youth ministry. Responsibilities included event planning, curriculum selection, teaching responsibilities, and one on one mentoring.

For a list of references please contact John Edgar Harris through email or by phone. 334.546.9209

FAQ's

What are the strengths you would bring to this position?
I’m not going to pretend to be the smartest or most well qualified person on the planet, but I know God has called me to serve Him. He has made me teachable and he has gifted me with kids and with a knowledge of His word and His ways. I will bring to this position many years of experience in discipling, counseling teens, preaching and teaching. I heard once that to know if you are a leader all you have to do is look behind you and see if there is anyone there. God has gifted me by placing people behind me. I’m a born follower that was sculpted by God into a leader. I’ve watched God bring people to intimate levels with Him around me and I’ve watched Him recover lost souls as I prayed. I truly believe that God has a huge impact in His kingdom planned through me. I ask that you pray about letting your kids be part of that impact.

Share briefly your approach to Youth Ministry.
It’s about community. That’s how we all survive. God made us to be together. The church of Acts was so powerful and such a model because all of its members were continually devoting themselves to the teaching of the disciples, the breaking of bread and fellowship. So how do you accomplish this… briefly.

We work like the church of Acts would. In small groups gathering around each other and supporting each other, making it possible to take a stand, knowing that someone will be standing with you. We learn together, play together and share our lives together. We become of one mind focused on our Savior. Through large group teaching, games, activities, retreats and studies we learn how to walk.

I know this isn’t the most thorough explanation of how I would run a youth program and bring them into being like the church of Acts, but that is because I have never met your kids. I’m not sure where they are at or what they need for this to happen. So anything more specific than a vague generality is impossible. But there are a lot of prayers that will go into those decisions. And I’m a firm believer in remaining teachable. If God shows me a way that is better, and I know it is His will, I will change my approach. But each group of kids is different to a certain level. I can’t give you specifics of “this is what I would do,” with out the possibility of lying to you and I choose to avoid that. But in vague non-specific terms it would revolve around two things: community and discipleship.

What are your spiritual gifts?
Leadership, Discernment, Teaching, Preaching, Empathy. Not necessarily in that order. But those are the strongest in me. God has rounded me out pretty well for dealing with his flock. He gave me great gifts for shepherding. Which would probably explain why it is all that my heart longs to do.