Bishop N. Leon Harrell

N. Leon Harrell was born in the city of Harlem, New York on September 20, 1942, to his parents, the late, William and Essie (Stubbs) Harrell.
His parents raised him and his younger sister Joyce in Harlem and Leon found his calling early and was baptized in Jesus name at around age 11. He received the Holy Ghost and was called to the ministry in his teens. He was ordained Elder under Bishop Lomax at the Highway Christian Church of Christ in 1964.
While attending one of the CUNY colleges he also made a career in sales. Bishop Harrell held multiple positions in sales over the years. It was on one of his sales calls that he met his future wife, Ida E. Byrd. The result of that chance meeting was the start of a family. Three children completed that family. Darrell, Lamar and Keisha. Also, one grandchild, Kaijah Harrell. He was also very influential in the life of his only nephew Scott Wilbourne.
The family became members of Refuge Temple Annex in The Bronx under the leadership of the late Bishop William G. Fields. Bishop Harrell eventually became Assistant Pastor.
Bishop Harrell always had a hunger for knowledge. He always had a penchant for study. He was a voracious reader. His pursuit of knowledge led to his well known penchant for book buying/hoarding. He became a regular at the Christian bookstores. Books could be found all over the house and some hidden in the trunk of the car. One thing was true about Bishop Harrell, with all that he gained from his reading, he was never selfish with his knowledge. He was always willing to share with others. Bishop Harrell grew to be a dynamic teacher. Always excited about sharing what he learned. His ability to teach led him to hold several positions from Sunday school teacher to Sunday school Superintendent at RTA. Bishop Harrell was instrumental in the founding of the bible school at Abundant life. He then became Dean of that same bible school.
Bishop Harrell was a great mentor and living example of what a man of God should be. It can safely be said that he left his imprint on many a young person over the years.
Although Bishop Harrell was generous with his books and his knowledge, the things he wasn't so free with were his pens. He collected beautiful fountain pens. He would let you borrow a book but usually to borrow his pen meant you had to use it in his presence and return it immediately.
After 25 years of service as Assistant Pastor to Bishop Fields and serving him well, the opportunity arose to apply for the position of pastor at the Refuge Church of Christ in Plainfield, New Jersey. At the the recommendation of then; Regional Apostle Wilbur Jones and Bishop Fields, then; Elder Harrell applied for the position. After his initial 4 months, he was then voted in to become Pastor. He was installed in 1998.
During his tenure at Refuge Church of Christ because of his dedication to the work of the Lord he was consecrated Bishop and later appointed Bishop of the Ecclesiastical diocese. Some of his other accomplishments were:
Being President of the Concerned Urban Clergy. It was here that he called for the formation of a community choir made up of member of several churches. This choir went on to perform at churches throughout New Jersey. Eventually the community choir would compete and win the McDonald's Gospelfest, 3 years consecutively.
He graduated from the W. L Bonner College and also received a degree from Liberty University.
Because of his penchant for the word of God, his desire was to establish a bible school. Thus the Central Jersey Bible Institute was founded.
He was also very active on a national level--He was Adjutant General of the adjutant core and was the Corresponding Secretary for Board of Bishops
Bishop Harrell has some favorite songs and sayings:
He was a dedicated worker for the building of the Kingdom of God. He never tired of doing the work. Whatever trial or test he had to face, he carried on. Thus one of his favorite songs was I FEEL LIKE GOING ON. One of his favorite songs he liked to sing when he got up to preach was REVIVE US AGAIN. He always knew that God was covering him under his blood. and he knew without a doubt THE BLOOD NEVER LOSES ITS POWER.
Through it all he believed that God would do EXCEEDING AND ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL YOU COULD ASK OR THINK. When he forgot something he would say CHARGE IT TO MY HEAD AND NOT MY HEART.
At the beginning of a sermon he would often say PRAYING PEWS MAKE PREACHING PULPITS.
He dedicated his whole to the work of the Lord in ministry and building the Kingdom of God. Even when he was no longer able to function in his capacity as pastor, lying in his bed he would often preach a word or pray. one of his last bedridden messages was DON'T THROW IN THE TOWEL, WAIT ON GOD. HE MAY NOT COME WHEN YOU WANT HIM, BUT HE THAT PROMISED, WILL COME, WAIT ON GOD.
In the end Bishop Harrell could truly say IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Ida, sons Darrell and Lamar. His daughter Keisha and his granddaughter Kaijah. Also his sister Joyce and nephew Scott.