Reverend James Alexander Harris Sr.

James Alexander Harris, the second child of six, was born on August 25,1926 to the late Alonso and Gertrude Harris in Des Moines, Iowa. Jim, a he is affectionately known, departed from this life on Sunday, March 22,2015 at his home in Derwood, Maryland. He is preceded in death by three siblings: Patricia, Doloris and Edward. At an early age, Jim accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. He was ordained and licensed to preach in 1955 at Corinthian Baptist Church in Iowa. He was the Pastor of Mt Zion Baptist Church of Mason City, Iowa from 1956 to 1960. In 1980, he founded the Faith Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. He has faithfully and lovingly pastored the congregation for thirty-three years. Pastor Harris was a man of many talents. He was an artist, inventor, an educator and a Tuskegee Airman (1945). His paintings and sculptures may be found all over the United States in churches, insurance companies and homes (in Des Moines, Iowa). He earned a Masters in Fine Arts (1948) and a Masters in Theology (1960) from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He was President of the National Education Association (1974-1975). He headed the U.S. Delegation to the World Confederation of Organization of Teachers held in Singapore. He was NEA consultant to the White House Conference on Food, Health and Nutrition and provided numerous congressional testimonies from 1974 through 1975. He participated in President Ford's Economic Summit Conference, and was recognized for his contribution to the discussions. He was a member of the Des Moines Human Relations Council and the Des Moines Mayor's Council on Education. He served as President of the Montgomery County Black Minister's Conference in 1985, and he is a lifetime member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He was named one of One Hundred Most Influential Black Americans by Ebony Magazine (May 1975). He received the Key to the City of: Des Moines (Iowa), Cado (Texas), and Columbia (South Carolina). He received the Key to the State of Utah. Despite his many achievements, he was a very humble man who preferred quite, introspective moments spent at his "beloved Faith Community Baptist Church." He was witty, charming, kind, generous, and a faithful and devoted servant. He seized every opportunity to minister and tell others about the goodness of the Lord. He lead many to receive Christ as Lord of their lives. He mentored, nurtured and ordained many ministers. He was an amazing husband, an exemplary father, a caring brother, a thoughtful friend and a spiritual father to many. He leaves to cherish his memory a wife, Dominique and sons: James (Jennifer), Jerald (Pilar), Joshua and Matthew: his siblings: Sadye Fristo and Nancy Robinson (Toby); grandchildren: Jolie, Jeremy, Joshua, Sean and Jonah and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and the members of the Faith Community Baptist Church.