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Reverend Herman Harrison Walks Through the Valley, But Not
Alone
Sojourner’s Truth Staff
Almost 40 years after
being ordained as a church deacon at Macedonia Baptist
Church, Herman Harrison finally took the plunge on Sunday,
December 14 and began the next chapter of his life –
preaching. Harrison’s inaugural sermon at his current
church, Third Baptist, was inspired by one of his favorite
passages, the 23rd Psalm and its critical phrase
“though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I
will fear no evil.”
After assuring his fellow
congregants that he would accept the wisdom of his preaching
mentors and follow the rule of the three “S’s” – “stand up,
speak up and sit down,” Harrison did just that.
There are two types of
valleys, he explained. One is the physical, while the other
is the emotional – the low place in life caused by
loneliness, despair and depression. Those are the places,
said the first-time preacher, where one need not be alone.
“When you walk through the
valley, take the Lord with you,” he advised his listeners.
“He doesn’t want you to be alone. He knows all about all of
your problems. He knows about your valleys. Put you trust
and faith in Him.”
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The Harrisons
Photos Courtesy Johnnie Lee Early |
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Harrison spoke of his own
valleys, particularly his current bout with kidney disease
that has already necessitated major surgery and a 15-day
stay in the hospital. Now, on dialysis, he is waiting for a
kidney transplant.
A native of Shreveport,
LA, Harrison earned a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State
University in biological sciences and chemistry. He was then
employed at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Company as a research
chemist and was transferred to Toledo with the company in
1972. He later joined BASF Corporation from which he retired
in 2006.
Harrison joined Third
Baptist during Rev. Kevin Bedford’s pastorate. He has been
deacon, president of the Men’s Ministry, president of the
Men’s Choir, Sunday school teacher. He joins his wife of 46
years, Barbie Harrison, in the pulpit. Ms. Harrison, retired
executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, preached her
first sermon earlier this year on June 8. She was one of the
first women to be ordained a deacon at Third Baptist.
Both Harrisons are
currently enrolled in the masters of Divinity Program at
Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay Ohio. |
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