I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3-5
July 19, 2015, I quit ministry for good.
I had fabricated a convincing lie about a sabbatical to recuperate from burn-out, planning to use my teaching license to make a living and work on being a better husband to Candice and father to Keri and Xander. I had poured all of my work ethic and human strength into ministry and lost sight of how I should have been relying on Jesus and the strength He provides through His Spirit. My identity had become wrapped up in my abilities and accomplishments rather than remembering that He had called me and equipped me. Everything was out of whack, and I needed time with God to straighten me out.
At the same time, I had no intention of ever pastoring or leading worship again. I felt that I had failed the Lord who had saved me. I didn’t doubt that He had saved me or that He would forgive me — maybe even restore me — but I knew my own weakness and how prone I am to take on more than I should. Jesus deserves better than that sort of repetitive failure.
Over the next several years, God began restoring what I had broken. He mended my marriage. Candice heard my claim that I wanted to be a better husband and father and held me to it. The workaholism that burned me out is tough on a marriage, but she was determined to find the man she married — or at least who he had promised and strived to be. Fatherhood was mended, too, much more quickly, as little kids are resilient and quick to forgive.
At the same time, though I didn’t fully realize it, God was gently drawing me back into ministry. Through faithful pastors like Dr. Tim Mims and Dr. Jerry Rankin, He used His Word, their prayers, and their investment in my life to remind me that calling isn’t something you walk away from. On his last day in Winona, Bro. Jerry met me in my classroom and challenged me to pray and tell the Lord that I was willing and open to return to ministry — and he wouldn’t leave until I did.
Not long after, God moved us to Grenada. We had been hearing about Christ Community Church for years — that they were different, that they loved people well, and that they welcomed any and everyone to come and pointed them to Jesus.
The first time we visited was on a Wednesday night, and all you-know-what was breaking loose. Some of the youth had gotten into trouble, and the adults were reacting. Candice asked if it was the best time to visit, and I told her it was — because we were about to see what this church was really about. We sent our kids to their classes and went to prayer meeting, sitting by the oldest folks there.
We knew we were home when one of the older ladies began saying we needed to pray for those kids — because they needed to be there — and that she was glad they were. It was just strange enough to feel like that saved kind of book-of-Acts weirdness we had been longing for.
A few months later, the last Sunday in December 2018, we made our way to Christ Community. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the prayer Bro. Jerry had basically forced me to pray was already being answered.
We met with the pastors and their families for a meal, and John asked me 1)how Christ Community could minister to our family, and 2)what I was looking for. I told him I wanted a place to come and serve Jesus and be just Keith. Then, I realized the church had a Taylor guitar, got to jam a bit, and Keisha Harrison asked if I’d like to “sit in” with the band the next Sunday. For some reason, I said “yes”.
I had no idea that the first Sunday we were there was the last Sunday of the praise team’s acoustic guitar player — and that they had been praying for God to send one. Our second Sunday, the lead guitarist filled in. Our third Sunday, I was “sitting in” with the band — and have almost every Sunday since.
One Sunday, someone finally asked if John was going to introduce the guy playing guitar. John looked back and said, “Oh, that’s just Keith.” (Which is the origin of Just Keith Harris and all related ministry.)
And somehow, that was exactly what I needed.
What I didn’t know was what God was doing behind the scenes.
If I had realized what was going on, I never would have come to Christ Community — not visited, not anything.
Kim Bell Carver had been leading the praise team, and she and Randy had been praying for God to send someone. At the same time, the pastors had been meeting — without Kim and Randy knowing — and were praying about asking me to come on as a pastor and lead the praise team. And the praise team had already been praying for a replacement acoustic guitar player.
Praise God, I was oblivious.
After a few months, Kim approached me one Wednesday night and asked if I’d pray about it. I remember wanting to run out the side door of the church and escape.
A few weeks later, John told me the pastors had been praying. I wanted to cry or throw up. I was freaking out.
I brought it up to Candice, thinking that would surely put a pin in it. She was fine with it and said we’d pray about it — which was not the answer I wanted.
After that, I decided to ask Keisha, knowing she’d set me straight and tell me it was all foolishness. Her response when I asked her was, “Are you stupid?”
I was so relieved to think I’d get to say “no.”
Then she explained how, in those first few months at Christ Community, I had already been serving — leading a Bible study, filling in with the band, even filling the pulpit — and hadn’t even realized it.
Her conclusion was that I must be stupid (which at least provided a pretty good laugh).
After a few more days of prayer, I accepted — on the condition that the praise team was on board. Their answer was to call me in, lay hands on me, and pray for me.
That was seven years ago — the Sunday after Easter 2019.
God has restored to me the joy of His salvation and the joy of serving Him — to get to preach and teach His Word and to lead in His worship.
When I think of Christ Community, I think of Philippians 1:3–5:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
I am so thankful that God saw fit to give us the friends and faith family we have found at Christ Community.
In these seven years, Xander has come to know Jesus. Keri has found her place to serve. Candice — after years where ministry was hard on her in ways I didn’t fully understand — has found a church home where she can serve and belong with joy.
Even now, we’re seeing God continue to work — letting us serve together, grow together, and be part of what He is doing.
Do I know what the future holds? Nope.
But I know I’m thankful.
Thankful for how I’ve been ministered to. Thankful for the opportunities to minister. Thankful for a church family that loves Jesus and loves people — and loves the Harrises, too.
And I’m grateful to be part of Christ Community.
Just Keith Harris 