Q&A Interview - Bishop Durant K. Harvin, III

from Grace & Glory July 2023

Prayer Changes Things

G&G: Bishop Harvin, welcome back to Grace & Glory Magazine. It has been a while and we are so excited for this opportunity to talk with you again. Let’s start with what’s happening right now, you are celebrating 10 years of pastoral service with The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple. How do you feel after 10 years of serving this ministry?

Bishop Harvin: Thank you Jackie. Yes, it has been a while and I am happy to be back! I’m also happy to see how Grace and Glory has continued to thrive. I remember when you were giving birth to the vision, and it is amazing to see how you’ve nurtured it for the impact that it has today. As for this 10th year pastoral anniversary at The GIFT I can honestly state it has come swiftly and is in some ways surreal.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, when we last talked with you, you were pastoring the Emmanuel Christian Community Church, and I understand this ministry was dissolved. What has been the most challenging areas in transitioning from the former Emmanuel Christian Community Church and building a new ministry, The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple?

Bishop Harvin: Whenever I think about it, I can’t help but to shake my head because I am reminded that God, without fail, is faithfully amazing! You are correct. Emmanuel Christian Community Church is now defunct, and I had the dubious privilege of serving as pastor when harvest time came. In retrospect, the most challenging aspects of the transition were learning to trust the wise counsel given to navigate through that period and remaining focused on the faithfulness of God. The temptation to be bitter, angry, and/or defensive after you have been falsely accused, blamed, and even betrayed is relentless, but the rest of the story is that we outlive the lies and move forward in purpose. Paul’s words to the church at Rome hit differently for me now…” the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed..."

G&G: Would you share with us the vision behind starting the ministry of The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple? How would you describe these last 10 years?

Bishop Harvin: The vision for The GIFT—The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple was conceived while I was driving on 795 one Tuesday afternoon. I knew God was going to do something. I just didn’t know any specifics. Thus, anticipation and anxiety were vying for the front seat in the car and anticipation won! Just a few weeks before, Holy Spirit whispered to me that I was to submit my notice of resignation as pastor and now, He was announcing the next move. It started with a word, gift. Then it was expounded on with the revelation-- Greater Immanuel Faith Temple, The GIFT. Thereafter, a core group began to meet each Friday evening to seek the Lord and study the Word so that at its foundation the ministry would be what God wants. The vision and mission were born out of these encounters.

The last 10 years, the first decade, has been miraculous and mysterious, therefore, it has certainly been a work of God. I’m grateful for every single aspect of the journey to this point and for the proactive work of God’s promises where we are and for the destiny that we will possess.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, was there a point in your ministry journey when you realized that God had called you to a different assignment of this magnitude?

Bishop Harvin: Yes. Suffice it to say that I have come to that realization multiple times.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, how would you describe the ministry of The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple? What makes it different from the ministry of Emmanuel Christian Community Church?

Bishop Harvin: My instantaneous response is The GIFT is a committed community of believers ignited by God's Word. We radiate the light of Jesus Christ the Lord and live with irresistible joy! We endeavor to manifest and develop disciples of Jesus Christ the Lord, through Christ-centered evangelism and life-changing experiences. That’s the formal, polished vision and mission statement. The boots on the blacktop reality is that we are a God-family of hardworking, sometimes hardheaded, take the hard way through, people from every generation, seeking to fulfill God’s purpose for His church and our lives because we have been impacted by the God who loves us and loves HARD!

As for how the ministry of The GIFT differs from the former work. At the former work the litany response was often, “We’ve never done it that way before.” The epitaph of a dying church. For The GIFT, our litany response is, “We’ve done it that way before.” We expect to experience what God is doing, not just rehearse what God has done. I need innovation and creativity to be pumping in just like the air we breathe.

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G&G: Bishop Harvin, you are also celebrating 35 years since you preached your initial sermon. Most pastors have shared that “preaching the gospel” was not what they had planned for their lives. Was it the same for you, did you have other plans for your life?

Bishop Harvin: Yes. I planned to be an attorney. My generation’s Thurgood Marshall. That didn’t pan out. I am nonetheless grateful that my youngest son just graduated from law school and is preparing for the bar now. So, there is vicarious satisfaction for me in that regard. I am humbled by God’s plan for, and power through, my life.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, looking back at where you were when you started this journey, where did you think it was going to lead you? Are you at all surprised at where you are today?

Bishop Harvin: Ironically, this question has been the topic of conversation of my inner circle for the last year. So, I can state succinctly that when I look back at where I started, I was confident that it would lead me to the next iteration of the same. My reality does not align with that expectation. However, only a small part of me is genuinely surprised and I will not allow myself to be disappointed. I am emboldened by the fact that God does not withhold any good thing from us, and that God has not terminated renovation and construction in my life. I’m moving into my Caleb season.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, I believe part of the lasting legacy of a Pastor is his passion for preaching the Gospel and leading God’s people. It has been said that great passion does not come without great pain. What would you say it takes to be a successful Pastor today? What are your thoughts on why some have chosen to leave ministry?

Bishop Harvin: I wholeheartedly agree. One of the most profound things I have heard in recent day is that the people that a pastor leads benefit from the pastor’s tears. It struck a chord in me because one of the early learnings of the pastoral journey for me is that pain is unavoidable, and it shouldn’t be wasted. Some of the most fruitful outcomes in my life are the yield of situations that were fraught with excruciating pain. In my estimation, a successful pastor today is one who is willing to see themselves in the dual role of being a pallbearer for pointless perspectives and practices, as well as a prophetic pioneer who can give voice to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and actualize its relevance in an evolving culture. This is a tall order for sure and is likely a contributing factor to why some leave ministry, along with exhaustion, discouragement, congregational abuse, and imposter syndrome—they were never called to it in the first place. Pastoral ministry is hard, but I am a first-hand witness that with divine infusion and trustworthy support we can meet the mark and fulfill the calling. Faithfulness is success.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, I’m sure in 35 years you have experienced many changes in ministry. What would you say has impacted the church the most? What is your perspective on the future of the church?

Bishop Harvin: What comes to mind immediately is technology. When I started preaching thirty-five years ago, cell phones were carried in small attaché cases or were plastic bricks the size of the side of one’s face. Today cellphones can carry out nearly every function in our daily lives and for ministry. In like manner, I remember selling cassette tapes at my home church after service and now all you need is wi-fi connection, and you can go to church anywhere on the globe. Wesley said the world is my pulpit and now our parish can be anywhere in the world. These developments are beneficial if we keep pace with integrating them appropriately in our ministry operations. The pandemic certainly advanced this for many of us. I believe that the future of the church is secure—as it always has been. The church of Jesus Christ cannot be prevailed upon. God will have a witness in the earth until Christ returns. The real challenge is for those who lead and administrate in each generation to be acutely aware of the nuances of our existential context and position the gospel accordingly.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, are there any future plans for The Greater Immanuel Faith Temple, where would you like to see this ministry in the next 10 years?

Bishop Harvin: Of course. We are coming in the final strides of reengaging the ministry after the remote period during the pandemic. This has been a glacial process, but we are finally gaining momentum and will pick up where we paused back in 2020. The 10th Anniversary emphasis was just the jumpstart that we needed. Vision is not just a statement or concept for us, it is the compass for our day-today operations. Our priority in this immediate season is the purchase of a facility/campus that will accommodate our innovative, multi-generational ministry.

In the next decade, I pray to see The GIFT thriving in our own facility/ campus and having established three additional satellite campuses in this region. You may recall that I led Emmanuel to be the first African American congregation to move to the multi-campus model in Baltimore back in 2001. That mantle abides patiently in me for another appointed opportunity.

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G&G: Bishop Harvin, shifting gears a little, a few questions about you, tell us about your upcoming book publication?

Bishop Harvin: I’m excited about my forthcoming book, “Prosper My Soul”. I’ve been carrying it for an extended period and have been intentional about getting it out this year.

G&G: Bishop Harvin, how would you describe yourself in three words? And what is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

Bishop Harvin: Resilient (I’m built to last.)

Resourceful (Creativity is a divine attribute.)

Regal (Happy just knowing I’m His child.)

Some might be surprised to know how much joy I get from receiving mail and packages. It's a real thing!

G&G: Bishop Harvin, what keeps you motivated to keep moving forward?

Bishop Harvin: He woke me up this morning!

G&G: Bishop Harvin, is there anyone who has had a tremendous impact in your life and your ministry journey?

Bishop Harvin: Yes, it took a village. I have been blessed in both aspects. In my life, my grandmother, Fannie Mae Bevans Poulson; my godmother, Mildred Elaine Larkins Rees; my uncle/ godfather, Lee Abraham Harvin, Sr.; my father, Durant Harvin, Jr., my maternal angel, Eva Delores Easley Thomas, each of sainted memory; and my mother, The Reverend Cynthia Sparrow Harvin. There are certainly others, but I can’t list them all right now. In ministry, my parents in ministry, Bishop John R. and The Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, and my apostolic father, Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., have left an indelible imprint on this vessel. My prayer is to grow to be found worthy of the spiritual parentage that covers, corrects, and cares for me.