CANAAN BAPTIST CHURCH
BISHOP RONALD K. HARRIS
Bishop Ronald k. Harris was born November 15, 1963 to Frank and Betty harris and reared in Columbus, Georgia. He was educated in the Muscogee County School System, Mid-American Christian University an Oklahoma State University. He is married to the former Lavara L. Flint and is the father of five children. He was called to the Christian Ministry in 1993.
Bishop Harris served in the US Army for 20 years where his duty assignments took him to Germany, Korea, Kuwait and Fort Still Oklahoma.
Bishop Harris has served in many capcities at the Free Gospel Church of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. He served as the leader of the Foundation Class, Choir Member, Praise and Worship leader and a member of the pastor's Aid Committee. He was licensed as a minister in 1995 by the late Bishop George E. Thomas, The prelate Bishop of the Free Gospel Church Minister.
Bishop Harris started his ninety days as Interim Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church, January 1, 2014 and the installation ceremony was held April 6, 2014 . We welcomed new beginnings and felt that God has sent this man of God to lead the members of Canaan.
OUR CHURCH
May 7, 1978 our first official worship service was held; Pastor James Carter; Deacons included Robert L. McGhee, Sammie Young, Jr., James Herron, Lee O. Lewis, Robert L. Kendrick, James R. Dixon, John Whittlesey, Willie B. King and Henry Sampson and Laura price as Secretary/Clerk. During our first service ninety-four Christians joined our congregation including two converts for baptism.
September 8, 1978, our church was incorporated by the State of Georgia. We purchased the old Branton Woods Day Care Center. The second Sunday in December 1978 we moved into our first official church home.
May 1, 1980 we purchased the joining land lots west of our original property. December 24, 1989, we were blessed to move into our present Sanctuary. In August the ajoining lots East and Northwest of our original property were purchased; the future homes of our Family Life Center!
This decade has brought us many challenges one of those being the passing of our beloved Pastor and founder, the Reverend Dr. James Harold Carter on Sunday, December 5, 2010. April 2011 through November 2013, the Reverend Rudolph C. Allen Sr. became our pastor. Under his guidance we re-educated ourselves to the Youth Ministry and the Women of Canaan! The Spiritual Expression Ministry, Culinary ministry and Men Ministry also came to life under Pastor Allen, Sr. guidance.