PASTOR CHRIS HARRIS SR.

About Our Pastor

Pastor Chris Harris, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of two rapidly growing churches: Bright Star C.O.G.I.C. (www.BrightStarChurchChicago.com) and St. James C.O.G.I.C. (www.StJamesMinistriesChicago.com). He succeeded Dr. James Stovall, Sr. in November 1999 and Bishop Willie James Campbell in June 2021. Pastor Harris has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ and taught leadership development sessions in countless cities throughout the United States. A noted singer in the Gospel Music Industry, he has ministered in song in over 24 countries on 21 various world tours. In 2006, he produced his album entitled “So Amazing.” He travels the world building relationships between African-American and Jewish Clergy and has visited the Holy Land seven times, leading more than 70+ faith leaders to Israel on interfaith trips.

Recognizing the need for more “community-minded clergy” and due to increasing violence and trauma in Chicago, he established Bright Star Community Outreach – BSCO (www.BrightStarCommunityOutreach.com) in 2009. With an annual operating budget of over 7 Million Dollars, BSCO employs more than 200+ people annually and leads a collaborative of 70+ organizations in the Greater Bronzeville Community. Backed by hospitals, philanthropic and corporate funding, his TURN (The Urban Resilience Network) Model has received more than 16 Million Dollars of support, placing the faith community at the forefront of addressing community issues.

In June 2023, Pastor Harris repurposed his former 68,000 sq. ft. elementary school, now called the TURN Center. BSCO’s work has served more than 50,000 Chicagoans, and Harris now endeavors to teach other pastors and churches how to replicate this important work.

Pastor Christopher T. Harris, Sr., was born on April 1, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ezekiel Simpson and Patricia Ann Harris. A member of Bright Star Church of God In Christ in the Bronzeville Community (www.BrightStarChurchChicago.com) since birth, he received his foundation in Holiness under the leadership and mentorship of the late founder, Dr. James B. Stovall, Sr.

On May 30, 1993, Pastor Harris was saved and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In 1992, after graduating from Tabernacle Christian Academy, he attended Olive-Harvey College. Pastor Harris has lived his life as more than a conqueror. Born blind and growing up struggling with Asthma, Pastor Harris overcame these conditions when God miraculously healed him. He has also overcome a low socio-economic environment, and poverty did not preclude his pursuit of excellence and his destiny.

Due to his elevation, he has survived the loss of friends and acquaintances without losing his focus on his calling – building a ministry and his community. He received his Divine call to preach on June 29th, 1997, while at a Sunday Night Broadcast Service at St. James Church of God in Christ located at 10920 South Princeton, led by the late Bishop Willie James Campbell. Four months later, on October 19th, the late Dr. James B. Stovall made Pastor Harris his 1st Assistant. After Dr. Stovall died in 1998, Pastor Harris was appointed Senior Pastor of Bright Star COGIC on November 18, 1999.

A shepherd of a rapidly growing congregation, Bright Star has experienced exponential growth under his leadership. Now pastoring for more than 21 years, his church has grown to more than 1250+ parishioners. In 2002, Pastor Harris was appointed District Superintendent of the Bread of Heaven District by Bishop W.H. Bonner, Prelate of the Sixth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Illinois. He was one of the youngest pastors to hold this prestigious position in the COGIC organization in Illinois. Pastor Harris also served for six years on the Board of Bishops for the Abundant Harvest Fellowship of Churches under the leadership of Presiding Prelate Bishop David G. Evans of Lindenwold, NJ.

A man of great passion and vision, Pastor Harris has developed a notable international reputation. In April 2008, he founded GOD IS Productions, Inc., a gospel music production company. He has been the guest lead vocalist on more than 15 recorded projects. A noted singer in the Gospel Music Industry, Pastor Harris has ministered in song in over 24 countries, on 21 various world tours, and in countless cities throughout the United States. In 2006, he produced his album entitled “So Amazing.” This album has been successfully received both in Europe and the United States.

For over 16 years, Pastor Harris served as Minister of Music for various churches in various denominations, including Bright Star COGIC, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and New Hope Missionary Baptist. Recognizing the need for more “community-minded clergy,” and due to increasing violence in Chicago, in 2007, the Progress Around the Schools (P.A.T.S. Program) was born. Every first Saturday of the month, Pastor Harris, clergy, congregants, and community members throughout the city join together in prayer around Chicago Public Schools to combat violence in the city and among youth.

The success of the P.A.T.S. Program led to the establishment of Bright Star Community Outreach (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) in October 2001 (www.brightstarcommunityoutreach.com). This organization is committed to creating collaborative partnership program models designed to provide educational enrichment programs, anti-violence prevention, and intervention activities, along with good student incentives. He is also the founder of the Greater Bronzeville Family Festival, which over 9000 community residents attend annually to receive free laptops, book bags, school supplies, health immunizations and screenings, food, and much more.

As a result of his vast community work, he was voted Chairman of the CPS’s Greater Bronzeville Community Action Council, whose sole focus is to make schools better in the Greater Bronzeville Community. He has faithfully served in this position from 2011 – present. Pastor Harris also serves as President of the 4th Ward and Cook County Clergy Coalition President. He is also humbled to have the privilege of pastoring thirteen pastors around the U.S.

Of all his accomplishments, Pastor Harris’ greatest joy comes from his family. He is a loving and devoted father of four beautiful children: Chrystal (30), Chris Jr. (26), Christian (24), Christiana (21), and has raised his Godson Keshon (20). Assigned to minister to the masses, God gave Pastor Harris a personal motto: “Doing What I Can: While I Can, With What I Have, Within HIS Will.”