Mr. Edward Harrison

In Loving Memory Of
Edward Lamar Harrison was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 17, 1985, to Andrea White and Edmond Harrison. At an early age, Ed's grandpa, Ronald Gibson, introduced him to horse riding by traveling with him to rodeos. In addition to his passion for horses, as a teenager Ed was also an avid musician and graduated from Southfield High School in 2003 as a state recognized euphonium player. Following high school graduation, Ed attended Michigan State University where he joined the MSU Rodeo Team and the MSU Gospel Choir. Ed heard about a church service located on campus for students on fire for God led by Pastors Sean and Tayana Holland, at the time called Apostolic Word Church. Ed, a former atheist, attended the service with doubts about who God was, but as he stood at the altar, he had an encounter with God. During his encounter, a fire was lit under him that would blaze for the rest of his life.
While at MSU, Ed gained a reputation as the Black cowboy as he wore a hat, buckle, and boots around campus. It was his charisma for God and boldness to be different that attracted his future wife, Lillie Leonard in 2007 when they started to date after she would sit behind him in admiration at bible study. Soon after, Ed left MSU to relocate to Lamar Colorado to complete his studies in horse training and management at Lamar Community College. While in Lamar, Ed worked for NCHA professional trainer Cody DuVall where he started colts and loped finished cutting horses. In addition to his studies and riding, Ed launched a campus bible study where he brought together students of all different backgrounds. Ed hosted revival events where many students were brought to salvation. It was also during this time that his then girlfriend, Lillie Leonard, began to have vivid visions of the two of them in Africa ministering to which Ed would comically exclaim "I'm not going over there. I don't have no business there."
After graduating, Ed's desire to learn finesse, timing, and presentation for his horse riding soon led him to Scottsdale, Arizona to work under NRHA professional Matt Mills where he rode colts and gave lessons. It was also at this time and place that the Lord began to prepare Ed for his future commission. Ed was led to join a predominantly Nigerian church-GMI Church, pastored by Yato Adeyemi where he started to learn both the language and traditions as the church became like family to him.
In 2011, Ed heard from the Lord to pack up and leave Arizona for Texas. With only faith as his provision, he took to the road to show up at Casey and Nicole Deary to be a part of the renowned Deary Performance Horse Team. Ed worked at Deary Ranch for several years, where he showed, competed, taught bible studies, counseled and prayed for any and all who needed it. In 2013, at a time that appeared to be nonsensical, Ed left the ranch temporarily to respond to God calling him to Nigeria. Little did Ed know at the time, that trip would be the first of over a dozen in just the next four years. Ed traveled across the country preaching at churches and hosting empowerment crusades.
In 2013, Ed heard from the Lord to propose to his then girlfriend, Lillie Leonard. Soon after returning to the states, Ed traveled back to Michigan and proposed during Easter Sunday Service. Later that year, Ed was ordained by his spiritual father, Pastor Sean Holland, as an evangelist. After 6 years of dating long-distance, Ed and Lillie were married on March 8, 2014. Within two months of being married, Ed took Lillie with him to Nigeria where they had preaching engagements and worked countless altars together bringing souls to Christ just as the visions from years prior. Back in the states, Ed pioneered his own television show which sharpened his preaching style even more.
After multiple trips together, in 2016 the Lord instructed Ed and Lillie to both leave their jobs and everything behind to relocate to Nigeria. While living in Nigeria, Ed and Lillie birthed a children's ministry called The Charge Fellowship led by their brother Ajibade Dare. With God, they were an unstoppable force. As they lived in Nigeria, doors were opened for Ed to travel to South Africa to introduce western riding to the horse community there. Ed made links and connections that resulted in future trips to conduct clinics and coach the SAQHA youth riders. As he was riding in South Africa, he drew the attention of pastors in the country to come preach at their churches and do revivals. Ed preached at churches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban to name a few.
Once back stateside, Ed Harrison appeared on numerous television shows, radio stations, newspapers, and magazines across the globe as word began to spread of his unique cowboy ministry. In 2017, Ed and Lillie had their last trip to Nigeria together where they responded to the need for academic support that the children in the area had by launching Ladder Up Level Up, a free weekly tutorial service under their NGO Ed Harrison Mission Nigeria.
As a respected believer in the horse community, Ed was often invited to preach the cowboy church services at major horse shows. In 2018, Ed merged his own horse training business with his ministry, coining himself as The Global Cowboy. When he wasn't riding, Ed filmed weekly devotionals to minister to others online. His ability to seamlessly break down scripture and explain God to others created an international reach for his audience and the ministry gained a global following-in places such as Nigeria, South Africa, Germany, Pakistan etc.
On October 1, 2021, Ed was blessed with his most prized gift, his pride and joy, his little man, Eddrick.
Ed Harrison, a professional horseman and global evangelist, passed away suddenly on July 6, 2022, at the age of thirty-six while in Namibia, Africa.
He leaves to cherish his memories: spouse and son, Lillian Harrison and Eddrick; parents, Andrea White, Edmond Harrison; grandfather, Ronald Gibson; grandmother, Geraldine Gibson; brothers, Edmond Harrison Jr., Jamal Harrison, Jamar Harrison, Gregory Crane, Anthony Crane, Mario White, and a host of nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.