Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Mel & First Lady Mary Harris

Reverend Dr. Mel Harris, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, has also lived and worked in many states and abroad including Turkey and Portugal. He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age and was called to the ministry in 1979. He was ordained in 1987 and has served in a pastoral role for 28 years.

Rev. Harris was raised by parents with strong grandparent influence. This dynamic family structure has equipped him to preach and teach interesting, practical, and thought-provoking Biblical concepts. His experiences in many walks of life enables him to reach youth, adults, and seniors.

Rev. Harris has been the Pastor of Destiny Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Florida since May 2011. Cumulatively, he has served in various pastoral roles in the United States and abroad for 28 years.

He is a devoted family man and is married to Mary Ellen (Reedom) Harris of Hartford, Connecticut. He is the father of four adult children, grandfather of 10 children and great grandfather of five children.

Rev. Harris retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant with twenty-six years of honorable service. During his military service tenure, he received two Meritorious Service Medals: the Humanitarian Service Medal, two Presidential Unit Citations, several outstanding Unit Citations and numerous other awards and decorations.

He has directed and participated in numerous Christian workshops including Sunday school, Bible training, men's fellowship, and choirs.

Rev. Harris received an Associate of Science Degree in Management from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from the Andersonville Theological Seminary. He also graduated from the Non-Commission Officers Academy, Air University Senior Non-Commission Officers Academy and Department of the Air-Force School of Social Science Substance Abuse Counseling.

Rev. Harris represents Destiny in the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC). He serves the community by working statewide on committees to help eradicate AIDS and save youth from serving a lifetime penalty for minor offenses.

His present and past affiliations include: 

•  1st Vice President for the Congress of Christian Education, Southern Region
• Progressive Baptist State Convention General Secretary for the State of Florida
• Progressive Baptist State Convention President for the State of Florida   
• Progressive National Baptist Convention Dean for the Southern Region
• Vice President of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS of Tampa Bay and Chair of the Ecumenical Committee 
• Corporate Secretary of Pastors on Patrol, Inc. for 16 years 
• Assistant Pastor of the Historical Beulah Baptist Institutional Church in Tampa, Florida
• Deputy Director of Services, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Florida 
• Director of Administrative Services for the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, Inc., (DACCO) of Tampa

This anointed man of God has been blessed to touch many lives throughout the world. God is using him to make a considerable impact for His Kingdom, our church and the community.