About Our Church

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey, Illinois – affectionately known as THE MARK – is The Place Where God is Making a HOLISTIC MARK on People’s Lives.

THE MARK has a long history of providing life-changing ministry in the lives of many people. It is expressed through the Five Pillars of the Church – Pillars that the church stands on as it serves through five important areas: Worship; Prayer; Word; Outreach; and Service. It is through these five important areas where you will see the Purpose of St. Mark fulfilled as we are committed to Reaching Souls for Christ – Edifying the Souls we have Reached – Discipling those souls in Christ – Empowering Souls to live for Christ.

We believe in One God – expressed in three distinct persons – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. The Father is our Creator and Provider; the Son is our Savior and Redeemer; and The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier and Teacher. We believe we are called to be His workmanship – to fulfil His purposes in our lives and the lives of others. Click here to see a full list of our beliefs as a ministry.

1959 was the year it all began – and by the grace of God, the ministry Remains – as a vital and important part of the Harvey community. For over 65 years of serving, THE MARK has made an Impact on the lives of thousands of individuals. Countless souls have been saved and discipled. Many people from the community have been touched by the ministry of THE MARK. Our history includes dynamic worship serves, lively bible studies, soul stirring concerts, professional medical center, St. Mark Academy, outreach initiatives, soul winning initiatives – all touching the lives of youth and seniors and those in between.

Our current Lead Pastor, Edwin Harris, was hired by our previous Pastor, the late Bishop William Jordan, who served faithfully for 32 years. It was under the ministry of Bishop Jordan that THE MARK grew leaps and bounds – making a God-Mark on Harvey and the surrounding communities, including Chicago. It would be hard pressed to find someone who has NOT been to THE MARK for either a worship service, bible study, funeral, concert, graduation, or other event.

THE MARK is committed to grow in excellence under our current leaders – Pastor Edwin Harris and Lady Beverly Harris. They have served faithfully in this lead capacity for 14 years – and counting. God is making an Impact in the lives of others by using the willingness of the many servants who serve with our leaders. St. Mark is that PLACE where God is Making those HOLISTIC MARKS in the lives of many!

Statement of Faith

Meet Our Lead Servants

OUR PASTOR

Edwin Harris

Edwin Harris currently serves as the Lead Pastor of THE MARK. He has been on staff for over 23 years, serving in several capacities. He first began his full-time ministry as the Executive Director of Ministries in 2002 and moved to his next role as the Executive Pastor in 2005. These roles were served under the leadership of the late Bishop William Jordan. In 2007, he assumed the role of Acting Pastor and later in 2011 he became the Senior Pastor of St. Mark.

He has a true Shepherd's Heart and can be counted on to Serve the people of God as well as the community. Under his leadership, the Lord gave St. Mark our current vision - to be the place where God is making a Holistic Mark on people's lives. Servant Harris (what he often calls himself) is a pastor, teacher, preacher, administrator, author, coach, and servant. He not only serves as our leader, but he uses his skill as a scribe – providing professional documentation services for the South Suburban Concerned Clergy, as well as other growth communities he is a part of.

He is the humble husband of the beautiful Beverly Harris, our First Lady. He is also the proud father of three adult children - Jeremy, Kaylin and Nadia - and one granddaughter - Khalia.

OUR FIRST LADY

Beverly Harris

Lady Beverly serves alongside her husband, Pastor Edwin Harris, who is the lead pastor of the St. Mark M B Church.

Lady Harris is the Outreach Director where she leads an excellent group of servants whose major focus is serving those in the community surrounding the church. Each Wednesday they minister to those who are experiencing homelessness and brings the love of Christ to them with a warm cup of soup. She also oversees our food pantry that feeds many families twice a month.

Lady Beverly also serves as the ministry leader of the Women’s Ministry (Daughters of Destiny) where she established a monthly women’s worship service entitled Friday Nite LIVE (Living in Victory Every Day). She believes that with God’s love, encouragement, and sisterhood it is a great start for living in victory every day.

Lady has been a part of the St. Mark Ministry since 1987, where she first served as one of the Voices of St. Mark. Over the years, she has served faithfully in several areas – including working with the late Bishop Jordan and the St. Mark Covenant Churches Fellowship.

Lady Harris has a heart for people and genuinely wants to see the best for those in the community, as well as women, marriages, children, and families.

Lady Harris heart for serving women is also displayed in her business as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant where she teaches women of all ages Skincare and Color cosmetic techniques.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, godmother and friend, Lady Harris and her husband have three children, and she is lovingly called NaNa’ by her precious granddaughter Khalia.