Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Pierce L Harper, Sr
Pastor
Pierce L. Harper Sr. is the youngest of four brothers born to Peter L. Harper Sr. and Vivian M. Harper.
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Pierce has a passion for the Lord Jesus, his Savior; a passion for God's people and humanity at large, a passion for his family; and a passion for sharing the message of his calling as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Pierce journeys with people, organizations and faith communities in linking intellect, passion and practice. He has extensive training and experience with organizations and systems to increase capacity, transform culture, and create resilient and sustainable opportunities.
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After much prayer, meditation, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pierce accepted his
calling to the Ministry 01/2013. He shared his first message on 06/29/2013,
entitled, “It ALL starts with God” with the focal verse of Colossians 1:16. After
a 2½ year examination, the AME board of examiner’s ordained Pierce a deacon on
October 08, 2016.
This man of God married Ashlon Powell on November 3, 2012,
and added a new addition to the family on September 3, 2014; Pierce Harper Jr.
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Pierce is “working in the vineyard while it is day, knowing that night is coming
when no man can work” as a servant and previous member of Carey Tercentenary AME Church, where his Great Grandmother, Grandfather, mother and family, has worshipped and worked for generations. Among his current and past positions are:
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Director of Christian Education, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Minister, Steward
on the board of Carey Tercentenary AME Church, Outreach Minister at Pacific
Garden Missions, and was the Assistant Pastor at Carey Tercentenary AME
Church. Pierce has served the Chicago Conference and the North District for many years on the Resolutions and Christian Education Committees. Rev. Harper also was the host pastor of the 153rd Session of the Illinois Annual Conference in
September of 2024. The Conference experienced a glorious, Holy Spirit anointed
Word of God entitled “I love the Lord, I shall not want.” preached by Rev. Pierce
Harper Sr., telling all assembled about the goodness of God and how He provides our needs and Rev. Pierce L. Harper Sr. was named Pastor of the year for his outstanding work in ministry and in the Madison/Venice IL area and given keys to both cities by both respected Mayors.
On August 30, 2025 at the 154th Session of the Illinois Annual Conference Rev.
Pierce L. Harper Sr. was appointed Pastor of St. Paul AME Church Des Moines, IA. He also served as:
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Pastor, Bethel AME Church Madison, IL (January 2022-August 2025)
Pastor, Miller Chapel/Christ Centered Ministries/Payne Chapel AME Chicago
(2021-2022)
Administrator, Fourth Episcopal District (2018-2021)
Assistant to Pastor, Carey Tercentenary AME, Chicago (2016-2021)
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Pierce is a Graduate of Governors State University with a Bachelor’s degree in
Criminal Justice; a Graduate of Triton College with an Associate’s degree in
Liberal Arts; a Graduate of Proviso East High School; and continued his education by attending Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity. Pierce has further served humanity in his professional life in the Healthcare profession, where he was employed as a Project's Manager and worked in this field for 12 years. Pierce also worked as a Youth Probation officer for several years.
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As Pierce often shares, “Psalms 55:22 is written on my heart as my Scripture to
live by, “Cast thy burdens upon the LORD, and HE shall sustain thee: HE shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.”