City Life Church Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Hampshire PO3 6JH
+44 (0) 2392694677

• Education: Christian: Obtained BA Hons Degree in Theology with Chichester University and ordained through Hampstead Bible College in London. Completed a 2 year International Hillsong Course through Faith Works Bible College (part time). I also hold a Baptist certificate in Biblical Studies which I studied via correspondance. Secular: 10 GCSE’s, 4 A/S Levels (ICT, Computing, Business Studies & Music), National BTEC Diploma in Popular Music, Certificate in Plumbing theory, Basic Counselling Skills certificate Other Studies: BA (Hons) Degree in Theology (2:1), HLTA status & Certificate in Managing Volunteers. Completed Million Leaders Mandate (IEQUIP) Leadership Training Scheme hosted at Winton Elim Church, Bournemouth.
• Experience: I was brought up as a PK (Pastor’s Kid) involved in helping pioneer & run a Non-Denominational Christian Church for 10yrs with my family. I haved served in a variety of roles including as a Youth/Student Pastor (6yrs), Worship Team (9yrs), prison outreach. As well as involvement in lauching & lecturing at Faith Works Bible College (www.fwbc.co.uk) & Million Leaders Mandate extension with City Ministries (1yr). I've been serving at City Life Church in Portsmouth now for 11 and a half years. I've been leading in the senior capacity since 2011. I have also been honoured to serve as a Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth City Council for a couple of terms. I have volunteered on 5 overseas mission trips to: Nepal (through Soapbox), LA (Dream Centre), Poland (Church link), Ethiopia (Compassion), Colombia (Church link)
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: Feel free to use any of the sermons that inspire you and to email me with your feedback and testimonies. It’s always great to hear from other ministers around the globe. I cannot claim that all of my sermon content is 100% original, as I have gleaned many illustrations from various resources / preachers who have blessed me in the past. Note: the majority of my sermons are designed with a Powerpoint Presentation (visual aid) to help enhance learning - I’ve found that this is especially effective for those who are visual learners by nature. Furthermore, at times I will encourage the congregation to participate vocally by repeating certain key phrases, verses or answering questions relating to the topic. I do this to help keep the audience alert & make them feel involved PLUS it’s proven that doing this can enhance what people retain. However, I do understand that this is not always appropriate & can be very difficult with certain congregations.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Purpose Driven Life
• Family: I have been married to my gorgeous wife Laura since 2002 and we have two girls, Talia and Sophie. My wife oversees the worship ministry and also preaches. My parents (Bill & Susan Harman) are the original church pioneers & Senior Leaders at Victory Church (aka City Church). I have an older brother called Dave who has two children.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents have always been a great encouragement spurring me on from the front row with plenty of affirmation. They think my sermons are great, but whose parents wouldn’t be biased towards their own kids!??
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: My wife (Laura) is my biggest support! She says I’m her ’favourite preacher’...ahhh that’s love for you! I can always depend on her honesty. She’s gives me bags of encouragement, but also constructive critisism when need be.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Think about who’s going to be in your congregation, ensure you’re putting out relevant bait and keep it rooted in scripture. If you’re enthusiastic about your sermon then it’s more than likely that the people listening will be. Failure to prepare is to prepare for failure (as my dad used to say). Get organised by storing all of your favourite illustrations/quotes/sermons in catagory folders on your computer (digital format) or in a filing cabinet (hard copy) - this helps make sermon preparation a whole lot easier!
• Books that have had an impact: Purpose Driven Church (Rick Warren), Building A Contagious Church (Mark Mittelberg & Bill Hybels), Crossing Over (Paul Scanlon), How to win friends and influence People (Dale Carnegie), Numerous John Maxwell books on Leadership / Influence, He-motions (Biship T.D.Jakes), 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R.Covey), Run Baby Run (Nicky Cruz).
• Hobbies: Football (big Portsmouth fan), fitness/weight training, listening to good music, playing guitar, reading, researching, playing computer games, enjoying nature, socialising with friends & family, eating out, watching good movies
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Life is meaningless without God, get to know Him & live a life of purpose!
• Something funny that happened while preaching: The night before preaching my wife was supposed to dye my hair blonde, but instead it came out bright ginger! Needless to say I got a lot of stick from my friends the next morning! :-D
• What I want on my tombstone: A friend of God. He loved God & he loved people

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