Antonio Harris of Cincinnati, OH, formally Senior Pastor of Highland Avenue where he has served since 2014, comes to New Berean as its first elected pastor. Pastor “Tony” as he is fondly called, grew up under the preaching ministry of Civil Rights Founder Fred Shuttlesworth Sr. He fully surrendered his life to Christ at the age of 21 under the pastoral leadership of the late Pastor Leroy Ricks Sr. of New Berean Baptist Church, Portsmouth Virginia. Tony was baptized and served in various ministries at New Berean, including the Senior Saints, Adult Choir, and Youth Department. Tony received his call to preach in 1994 and was licensed to preach at New Berean Baptist Church in 1995.  Tony married the love of his life Samantha in 1991. Both are Navy Veterans of the Persian Gulf War era. Tony and Samantha have three children, Darius (US Navy) studying Sports Medicine, Jair, 1^st grade teacher and recently licensed to the gospel ministry, and their daughter Destiny, who is a student at Liberty University; majoring in education and co-leads the Church’s Praise and worship team with their son Jair.

And favorite biblical verse: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Josh. 1:9