Our Story
How it all started...
Our History
The congregation now known as Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ was initially organized by the founder of the Church of God in Christ, (COGIC), the then Elder Charles Harrison Mason, and has been in continual existence since as far back as 1897 and possibly longer. Until 1975 the congregation was known as South Fort Pickering Church of God in Christ. The Greater Harvest congregation clearly has connections to the great Pentecostal Revivals of the late 19th/early 20th century. As one of the earliest congregations of COGIC, the Greater Harvest congregation has been at the forefront of contemporary Pentecostalism.
Pastors of the congregation during her approximate 120 years existence include COGIC founder Bishop C. H. Mason, Elder George Taylor, Elder Fox, Elder G. L. Lofties, Superintendent C. H. Moore, Bishop Lee Ward, and current pastor, the Elder Renardo Ward.
Today, Greater Harvest Church continues to be a leader in the Pentecostal movement. The ministries of the church consistently enable Greater Harvest Church to remain that beacon of light to a community that seems to be drifting from safe shores. Greater Harvest Church is at the forefront of 21st century Pentecostalism and poised to continue to effectively take Christianity to an increasingly disaffected world.
The congregation now known as Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ was initially organized by the founder of the Church of God in Christ, (COGIC), the then Elder Charles Harrison Mason, and has been in continual existence since as far back as 1897 and possibly longer. Until 1975 the congregation was known as South Fort Pickering Church of God in Christ. The Greater Harvest congregation clearly has connections to the great Pentecostal Revivals of the late 19th/early 20th century. As one of the earliest congregations of COGIC, the Greater Harvest congregation has been at the forefront of contemporary Pentecostalism.
Pastors of the congregation during her approximate 120 years existence include COGIC founder Bishop C. H. Mason, Elder George Taylor, Elder Fox, Elder G. L. Lofties, Superintendent C. H. Moore, Bishop Lee Ward, and current pastor, the Elder Renardo Ward.
Today, Greater Harvest Church continues to be a leader in the Pentecostal movement. The ministries of the church consistently enable Greater Harvest Church to remain that beacon of light to a community that seems to be drifting from safe shores. Greater Harvest Church is at the forefront of 21st century Pentecostalism and poised to continue to effectively take Christianity to an increasingly disaffected world.
Expanding the vision...
Elder Renardo Ward is an accomplished international music instructor and former US Department of State/Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador to West Africa. He has performed with many international jazz artists and recording artists. Pastor Ward also worked as a private and public music educator in Shelby County Tennessee for over 20 years. He is now applying the same passion and discipline used for his God-given talent toward his God ordained calling. With mentors like Bishop Lee Ward (President of Tennessee West Fellowship), Dr. Bartholomew Orr (Pastor of Brown Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi) and Dr. James Wade (General Overseer of Church Growth and Development AME Church Worldwide), Pastor Ward is standing with the support of great leadership in the community.
