Pastor Ivan T. Harris

Ivan T. Harris is the pastor of First Baptist Church Denbigh, located in Newport News, Virginia, with a membership of more than 2000 members. He is a graduate of George Washington Carver High School, Newport News; United Christian College, Goldsboro, North Carolina (Bachelor of Theology and Doctor of Divinity); and Hampton University (Bachelor of Arts). He has also received Private Musical Lessons (Instrumental & Voice under Margaret Davis & Robert Lewis; Evangelism Training (Billy Graham Crusade Team); and further training at Evans-Smith Institute and Trinity Theological Seminary (Newburgh, Indiana). He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1977 and ordained in 1979. Before coming to First Baptist Denbigh, he pastored at Zion Hill (Pinero) 1979-1982 and at New Hope Baptist Church (Newport News) 1982-1988. He began pastoring at First Baptist Denbigh in 1988.

Under his leadership at First Baptist Denbigh, his congregation liquidated a 25-year mortgage in 6-1/2 years and has recently completed a 4.5 million dollar building construction project that includes an educational wing for the Child Development Center (ages 2-1/2 to kindergarten), library (computer lab, GED, and tutoring), and a Bible Institute and a gymnasium that will provide family life activities for the community.

Pastor Harris is a multitalented minister, who lends of his time and talents in responding to the needs of the community. Rarely does he say no when presented with an opportunity to contribute to the community through speaking engagements, offering up a prayer, or just providing support through his presence.

Several years ago, when a 3-year-old became the victim of a shootout in the Aqueduct community, Pastor Harris quickly responded to the needs of the family members, even though they were not members of his congregation. He opened the church to the family for the homegoing services and assisted in whatever capacity he could. He also joined with other leaders of the community to bring about better and safer living conditions in the Aqueduct community. On other occasions, when tragedy occurred in the community, he has responded to the needs of the victimized families.

At First Baptist Church Denbigh, he has implemented an Outreach Ministry, whereby the church has adopted a low income neighborhood. The church conducts weekly Bible study and tutoring sessions for, donates clothing items to, and provides transportation to/from church services for its adopted neighborhood. He is a visionary with a vision toward enhancing kingdom building with community involvement and by excellency in ministry. His ministry has taken him to three tours of the Holy Land (Israel) and recently to Benin, Africa, where he has adopted a village and is in the process of securing funds and ministerial support to build a school there and wells there. One well has already been constructed and will be dedicated in September 2006. On Sunday, August 27, 2006, the First Baptist Church Denbigh Outreach Center was dedicated. The center was purchased at a cost of $295,000 and provides four apartments for women in transition, as well as an adult day care center.

Other community involvement includes serving on the Boys Club Committee; participation in Black History Celebrations at Military installations; speaking for the ROTC at Menchville High School on crime prevention; offering up prayers at various Prayer Breakfasts and the Virginia General Assembly; working with local police departments to deter/prevent crime; and hosting a breakfast for local political candidates. He performs his community work according to I Corinthians 14:40, which says, "Let all things be done decently and in order."

Other ministries he has instituted includes a Bread Ministry, FREED (Substance Abuse), Project HOPE, and a Grant Writing Ministry. He has instituted conferences for men (Empowering Men's Conference), women, married couples, and singles. He has started a radio and television ministry that reaches the Hampton Roads Community and a Bible Institute (a school of HELPS) for perfecting the body of Christ. He allows the church to be a site for the Homebound Suspension and GED Programs.

He serves in many conferences, conventions, committees, and Boards, including the Baptist Pastors' Council (treasurer (3 years)), Ministers' Coalition (Director of Music); Baptist State Convention; Baptist General Convention (prayer and praise leader); Newport News Public School Advisory Board; National Baptist Convention; Hampton University Minister's Conference; and Operation Breaking Through Outreach Ministry.

Pastor Harris has been featured on the talent program, playing his harmonica, at the Hampton Ministers' Conference for more than 6 years. In 1995, he released his first harmonica album, entitled "Jesus Saves." He has preached, ministered, and played throughout the United States and abroad.

Pastor Harris has received numerous awards for his community services. In 2002, Dr. William R. Harvey, President of Hampton University, awarded him the Hampton University Presidential Citizenship Award in recognition of his extraordinary drive to improve the life chances of men and women in the community. In 2003, Mayor Joe Frank issued a proclamation declaring, April 4, 2003, Ivan T. Harris' Day.

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