New Children's Church Leadership Dr. and Mrs. Harris

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D r. John P. Harris, Jr. is a proud Alumni of Pasadena High School. Dr. Harris is currently an Adjunct Professor for Pasadena City College, East Los Angeles, the University of Phoenix and Compton Colleges, to name a few. Dr. Harris is CEO & Founder of Premier Youth Opportunity Center (PYOC) a non-profit dedicated to ‘Navigating Directions for America’s Youth’, through enrichment, leadership, mentoring and sports programming. Dr. Harris attended Central State University (CSU) receiving a BA in Sociology and California State University- East Bay where he earned his MA in Sociology. In 2012, he received his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership (DM) from University of Phoenix, School of Advanced Studies, making him the 1 st in his family to earn a Doctorate. Dr. Harris was raised by his father, John P. Harris Sr. & Diakona Nadine O. Harris with his twin sister Dr. Yulonn M. Harris and Jonette P. Harris-Dixon. Dr. Harris attributes his decision to pursue his doctorate to his parents and his dedication to his church family modeling his mother’s steadfastness. Dr. Harris met his wife of 17 years, Apryl D. Harris at CSU and is the proud father of Jaylyn (8 th grade) and John (7 th grade).

Dr. Harris has been a member of Second Baptist Church since he was 13 years old. He often reminisces with the SBC children, riding his bike up Royal Oaks to get to Sunday School. Dr. Harris and his wife began volunteering in the SBC children’s church over seven years ago, when their children aged out of the SBC Nursery. In 2011, Dr. Harris was asked to join the Ministry to Children Trinity Leadership since he had been actively planning fun, fellowship and learning for the children. In 2016, Dr. Harris introduced the children to ‘A New Star’ play and upon Bishop Dillard return to SBC post heart surgery, he established ‘The Acts of Faith’ annual competition.

Dr. Harris states that he considers himself blessed to be a member of SBC and humbly accepts the opportunity to lead the Ministry of Children in 2019 and forward. He is excited about sharing with God’s children, about God’s Love, through God’s Word. Dr. Harris’ favorite verse is

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You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is inthe world. I John 4:4 NKJV