The Rev. Norris J. Harris, pastor of the Oglethorpe Circuit, was recently honored as “Pastor of the Year 2008” at the Eastern District Annual Spring Gala, a dinner where the members of the AME district come together for a night of fellowship and celebration.

The Spring Gala was held on Friday, April 25, at the Columbus Trade and Convention Center. Harris is an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister.

Harris said he used his speech at the gala to thank the many people that have supported him throughout the years. He said the most important quality of being a pastor is being a servant to God and the congregation.

Harris said he has always tried to be a peacemaker, even when he was a child. He remembers being the mediator in disagreements between his friends.

He enjoys studying his Bible and finding the definitions of new words that he comes across. Harris said he loves serving the Sumter County community any way that he can.

Harris was issued a license to preach by the Rev. T. R. Morgan in 1987. He was admitted to the 93rd Session of the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference in 1989 by Bishop John H. Adams. He has been the pastor of several churches in the Central and Eastern Districts. Presently, he is the pastor of Davis Chapel AME Church in Oglethorpe, St. Paul AME Church in Oglethrope and St. Paul AME Churches in Andersonville.

Harris is employed at Koinonia Partners where he serves as chaplain and a member of the farm team. His community involvements include chaplain at Sumter Regional Hospital, board member of New Horizons Habitat for Humanity, president of the Sumter County Ministerial Association, and counselor at Sumter County Community Service Center.

He is the son of the late Perry and Ruby Harris. He is married to Imogene Sims Harris. They have three children; Vernon (Arlene), Patrick (Christine), and Norissa (Gabriel) and nine grandchildren.