Pastor Chris Harris
Pastor Christopher T. Harris, Sr. was born on April 1, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois to Ezekiel Simpson and Patricia Ann Harris. A member of the Bright Star Church of God In Christ (www.BrightStarChurchChicago.com) since birth, he received his foundation in holiness under the leadership and mentoring of the late founder, Dr. James B. Stovall, Sr. On May 30, 1993, Pastor Harris was saved and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In 1992, after graduating from Tabernacle Christian Academy, he attended Olive-Harvey College.
Pastor Harris has lived his life as more than a conqueror. Born blind and growing up struggling with asthma, Pastor Harris overcame these conditions when God healed him miraculously. He has also overcome a low socio-economic environment, and poverty did not preclude his pursuit of excellence and his destiny. Due to his elevation, he has survived the loss of friends and acquaintances without losing his focus on his calling—building a ministry and his community.
He received his Divine Call to preach on June 29, 1997. Four months later, on October 19th, the late Dr. James B. Stovall made Pastor Harris his 1st Assistant. After Dr. Stovall’s death in 1998, Pastor Harris was appointed Senior Pastor of Bright Star C.O.G.I.C. on November 18, 1999. A shepherd of a rapidly growing congregation, Bright Star has experienced exponential growth under his leadership. Now pastoring more than 12 years, his church has increased to more than 1200 parishioners. Pastor Harris currently serves as the Asst. District Superintendent of the W.H.B. North Shore District with Superintendent Clarence Cranford under Bishop W. H. Bonner, Prelate of the Sixth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Illinois. One of the youngest pastors to hold this prestigious position in the C.O.G.I.C. organization in Illinois.
A man of great passion and vision, Pastor Harris has developed a notable international reputation and established several organizations. In April 1998, he founded GOD IS Productions, Inc., a gospel music production company. He has been the guest lead vocalist on more than 15 recording projects. A noted singer in the Gospel Music Industry, Pastor Harris has ministered in song in over 20 countries, on 21 various world tours, and countless cities throughout the United States. In 2006, he produced his own album entitled So Amazing. This album has been successfully received both in Europe and the United States. For over 16 years, Pastor Harris served as Minister of Music for various churches in various denominations including Bright Star.
Recognizing the need for more “community-minded clergy,” and due to increasing violence in Chicago, in 2007, the Progress Around the Schools (P.A.T.S. Program) was born. Every first Saturday of the month, Pastor Harris, clergy, congregants and community members throughout the city, join together in prayer around Chicago Public Schools in order to combat the violence in the city and among youth. The success of the P.A.T.S. program led to the establishment of the Bright Star Community Outreach (a 501c3 non-profit organization) in October 2007 (www.BrightStarCommunityOutreach.com). This organization is committed to creating collaborative partnership program models designed to provide educational enrichment programs, anti-violence prevention and intervention activities along with good student incentives. He is also the founder of the Bronzeville Family Festival where over 9000 community residents attend annually to receive free laptops, book bags, school supplies, health immunizations, food and so much more. As a result of his vast community work, he was voted Chairman of the CPS Bronzeville Community Action Council whose sole focus is to make schools better in Chicago. He also serves as President of the 4th Ward Ministerial Alliance and is the Cook County Clergy Coalition President.
Of all of his accomplishments, Pastor Harris’ greatest joy comes from his family. On September 18, 2010, he married the love of his life, Johanna “JoJo” Harris. He is a loving and devoted husband and father of four beautiful children: Chrystal (20), Chris, Jr. (14), Christian (12), and Christiana (9). Assigned to minister to the masses, God gave Pastor Harris a personal motto: “Doing What I Can; While I Can, With What I Have, Within HIS Will.”
