The Biography of a Leader of Leaders...

Bishop Harvey David Bryan, Sr. was born on February 19, 1924. He was the seventh of eight children born to David and Beatrice Bryan.

Bishop Bryan obtained his preparatory education in Jamaica, West Indies. His formal studies granted him certification in Criminology at The Institute of Applied Sciences in Chicago, Illinois. He attended several schools of theology, including Moody Bible Seminary that further prepared him for the ministry.

It was in his formative years, however, that he became knowledgeable of the Holy Scriptures, as a worshipper at Marshall Temple Church of God in Christ, where later in 1950, after years of faithful service, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the late Elder Marshall. After receiving the Holy Ghost, he realized and accepted the holy calling the Lord had placed upon his life. Bryan received his Ministerial Licensure in 1955.

His earliest years in service for the Lord afforded Bryan the opportunity to pastor churches within central and southeastern Florida: Holy Comforter Church of God in Christ in Melbourne and Saint Thomas Church of God in Christ in West Palm Beach, Florida, respectively. However, the Lord gave Bishop Bryan the vision of shepherding Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ. Trusting God and diligently pursuing the faith for the up building of God's kingdom, Bishop Bryan began building the sanctuary in August, 1960.

Holy Redeemer's initial organization consisted of Bryan's wife. Missionary Almarie Bryan; five children: Harvey Jr., Edred, Paul, Ruth and Timothy, and six lay members. The first church services were held in various locations and ultimately settled near the Broward Quartet Association Hall Adjacent, whose the ten-acre property was claimed and purchased in 1973. In late 1994, a renovated duplex building on the acreage became the site for the acclaimed "Almarie Christian Academy," a fully accredited day care and school for children ages two through five years. The vacant lot adjacent to the school was also purchased for future construction. Bishop Bryan truly had a vision of the edifice he desired for God's service, and he settled for nothing less. His sincerity to the faith, humble spirit and unwavering humility accelerated the momentum, which impelled the church and its membership to endeavor to raise funds for construction. The members grew in spiritual strength as well.

During the years of Holy Redeemer's construction, Bishop Bryan was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop W.R. Nesbitt in 1962. Indeed, Bishop Nesbitt recognized the Lord's calling upon Bishop Bryan's life, and acted instrumentally thereupon by elevating him to the esteemed office of Superintendent over the East Coast District of the Western Florida Jurisdiction. Later, in 1969 Bishop Bryan was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Superintendents, and in 1971, the late Bishop Timothy H. Thompson appointed him to the Advisory Board.

In July, 1973, the Lord began to work miracles and Bryan's vision began to take shape rapidly. Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ was completed in October, 1974; Bishop T. H. Thompson performed the Dedication service of the newly constructed edifice in February, 1977. From 1985 until 1996, Bishop Bryan served as Second Administrative Assistant to the late Bishop Melton L. Sconiers. The late Bishop Elbert Lee Sheppard maintained him as one of his assistants, in which capacity he continued to serve faithfully until 1998.

Throughout the years and even to date, the renowned Bishop Harvey D. Bryan, Sr. has maintained an impeccable reputation of integrity, dedication and devotion to Christ and the Church. His reputable character precedes him on local, state and national levels. On May 14, 1999, Bishop H.D. Bryan, Sr. received the appointment of Auxiliary Bishop to the Episcopacy of The Church of God in Christ by the honorable Bishop Chandler David Owens in Orlando, Florida. In this capacity, Bishop Bryan served three years as Episcopal Assistant to the late Bishop Harold Jenkins Bell. The Holy Redeemer family, friends and a host of clergy traveled far and near to Orlando to witness this glorious elevation of ecclesiastical splendor.

Indeed, Bishop Bryan has received several outstanding accolades and commendations based upon his character and commitment as a husband, father, and community leader. In his hometown, as well as within the tri-county areas which include Broward, Dade and the Palm Beaches, community and civic leaders regard him as a "Pillar in the Community." City and county leaders have recognized Bishop Bryan as an official member of the Broward County Ministerial Alliance for his service to his community, his active involvement in prison ministries, and his support of youth in their educational pursuits.

Bishop Bryan has received many Proclamations from various community leaders, including the Florida Board of County Commissioners, the cities of Dania Beach, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, respectively. On Saturday, December 29, 2001, Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., a Broward County Commissioner, presented Bishop Bryan with an official Proclamation. This document was certified by Jim Naugle, the Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale, designating the aforementioned date as "Bishop Harvey D. Bryan Sr. and Almarie Bryan Day" in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Parishioners, their families, friends and the community at large continue to esteem highly the selfless contributions and unyielding dedication of such exemplary leaders as the Bryans,

As the scripture states: "Oh that God would indeed bless me, and enlarge my territory; God's hands would be with me....," indeed the Lord's hand is upon the life of Bishop Harvey David Bryan, Sr.; and as a result, the Most Reverend Gilbert Earl Patterson, Chief Apostle and The Churches of God in Christ, expressed their confidence in Bishop Bryan by appointing him as Prelate of the Western Florida Jurisdiction, citing his devotion to Christ and the Church, and his ability to direct the affairs and promote the general interests of the entire Church. On Friday, September 27, 2002, Bishop Harvey David Bryan, Sr. received the meritorious installation as Jurisdictional Bishop and Presiding Prelate of Western Florida Church of God in Christ.

We celebrate this distinguished, well-deserved honor, as the Lord our Savior continues to bless Bishop Bryan's humble servitude.