Evangelist Leara A. Harvell

Evangelist Leara A. Harvell

Associate Minister

Evangelist Harvell is an ordained Evangelist and member of the Ministerial Staff of the Greater Apostolic Church of Christ, Springfield, IL. She served for more than 20 years as Pastor’s Aide Chair, and Pastoral Appreciation/Church Anniversary Administrator for Bishop Samuel J. Carter until his demise, having been appointed by him to that position in 1987. She was later appointed as Board Member and as Corresponding Secretary for GACOC. She was appointed by Bishop Carter as his Assistant for the Adult Sunday School Class. She also has served as Sunday School Teacher for Young Adults, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Choir President and Directress, and Missionary Chairlady. She serves as Leader of the Altar Evangelism and Outreach Committee, church Treasurer, and most importantly, a Servant of God.

She has served for more than 16 years as current General Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois-Indiana District Council of the AAC and served a four-year term as General Secretary/Treasurer for the Council Women’s Auxiliary. She is a member of the AAC’s Executive Board, Board of Trustees, Ordination Committee, and Financial Review. In addition, Evangelist Harvell currently serves as a current officer and member of The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield & Vicinity.

Evangelist Harvell was born in Caruthersville, MO, the second of nine children to Mr. & Mrs. Willie Prather.  The Lord saved her mother, Sister Annie Prather, as a young woman through the witness of Evangelist Harvell’s grandmother, Mother Katie Prather-McEwen.  Sister Prather raised her children in a saved home and Evangelist Harvell was baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost at age 10.  Evangelist Harvell has worked in the Church since she was a young girl even before receiving the Holy Ghost. Her grandmother, Mother Katie Prather-McEwen was used by the Lord as a founding Mother of the Pentecostal Power Church at Caruthersville, MO.

In high school Evangelist Harvell witnessed to many of her schoolmates. Some received the witness and was baptized in Jesus’ Name several of whom now are pastors, ministers, missionaries, and pastor’s wives. Evangelist Harvell with other saved young people from the Church would over their lunch have prayer with the schoolmates who had received the baptism in Jesus’ Name. When the young people went away to college and begin to witness to friends there, some of whom also got saved, Evangelist Harvell would travel to Southeast Missouri University for Bible Studies with college students whom the Lord had saved; many of whom are still saved today.

Evangelist Harvell served in several capacities at her Church in Caruthersville, including as Pastor’s Secretary, Chairlady of Pastor’s Aid, Church Secretary, Choir Directress for local church, and for the Mid-Western District Choir of the Pentecostal Power Churches Inc. She served as National Program Chair for the Pentecostal Power Churches, Youth Chair for the local Church and for the National Youth Department of the Pentecostal Power Churches, Inc. She likewise served as a member of the Prayer Band visiting homes of the sick and shut-in, altar worker, Sunday School teacher, Usher, and Kitchen worker.

Evangelist Harvell holds a JD in Law, Bachelor’s Degrees in Legal Studies and Psychology, and Certification as an Administrator. She is a past member of the Illinois State Bar Association and a lifetime member of the National Honor Society in Psychology. She has been featured in the National Deans’ List and in the Chancellor’s List for academic honors.

She has one son, daughter-in-law, and three beautiful granddaughters.  Her mantra is “Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to me!”