ABOUT CHRISTOPHER HARRISON (REV)
Christopher came into a deep faith in Jesus as a child, having been raised in a Methodist Manse and devoted family. A set of encounters with God led to significant commitment to Jesus as his Friend and Leader. This developed into a call to lead God’s people, preach the good news and then to ordination to the Word and Sacrament. Through naturally shy and introverted, he knows that God can do amazing things despite us.
Christopher studied through Rhodes University completing a B.Th. (Hons) and then completed a M.A. in Missional Theology related to church planting in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa through the University of Pretoria.
Christopher and Leigh Harrison have been married for over 35 years and have two adult daughters. All four are worship leaders and preachers of the Gospel.
We love South Africa and her wonderful people and see so such potential for God’s Kingdom to come and bless all who live here.
WHERE HE HAS SERVED
• Christopher has served in the Methodist family for over 40 years, in a variety of contexts, but mostly in senior leadership of congregations in Benoni, Centurion and Bryanston.
• The call to the ordained ministry is rooted in his mission statement: “I exist to explore the love and mystery of God, to experience this in my marriage and family life, and express this in helping churches to grow.”
• Christopher’s walk with Jesus has led him into pioneer ministry in various contexts.
WHERE HE IS SERVING NOW
• “Fresh Bread Ministries” trading as FreshIn Ministries is an NPC (Reg.No.2015/058838/08 and www.fresh-in.org) whose Directors are Bishop Themba Mntambo and Charmel Flemming, alongside Christopher, which has been established to “Share the good news and mission of Jesus with innovation”, coaching ministers and congregations in mission and evangelisation innovation.
• He is the Mission Coordinator of Fresh Africa (www.freshafrica.org) where he coaches regional coordinators, writes materials for the movement, and offers training in the development of missional communities in multiple contexts and countries in the continent.
• He is an Associate with ‘One Challenge Africa’ (www.ocafrica.net) where he serves on their Board and as their Financial Director.
• He is one of founding Directors of the MyChurchIT NPC (NPC 2019/271778/08 and www.mychurchit.org) alongside Bishop Steve Moreo and Sibusiso Zungu which offers an online Church Communication and Management System as well as website development and IT support
• He is a part-time lecturer in Missional Leadership for post-graduate students at the University of Pretoria’s Church and Community Centre as well as undergraduates for the University’s the Higher Diploma in Theology in Missional Leadership and Theology and Technology.
• He continues to serve in various congregations across all denominations through preaching, officiating at weddings and leading in the sacraments of baptism and communion, as well as ministerial support and coaching.