Bishop Gary Harper is a visionary and an anointed leader for the 21st Century. He received his early education in the Highland Park, Michigan school system and later attended Oakland University, majoring in Sociology. He received his call to the ministry in 1976 and served under the tutelage of the late, renowned Bishop David L. Ellis in Detroit, Michigan. In 1986, because of his faithfulness to the ministry, he was selected by Bishop Ellis to serve as interim pastor of the newly established Greater Grace Temple O. G. Hayes Memorial church in Inkster, Michigan. After serving in that capacity for four years, the membership overwhelmingly voted to retain him as Senior Pastor. In 1995, the church relocated to Taylor, Michigan in order to accommodate the rapidly growing church membership. Under Pastor Harper’s dynamic and anointed ministry, the church has grown tremendously and has more than 35 ministries serving the needs of the people within the church and community.
In August, 2011, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. honored Pastor Harper for his dedication and commitment to the ministry with elevation to the office of Bishop, presiding over the Diocese of Ghana, West Africa, and oversees nearly 100 churches in the African nation. Bishop Harper served as the Chairman of the Northern District Council of the PAW, Inc. from 2007 until June, 2014, serving the maximum allotted time. He has served faithfully as Pastor of Greater Grace Temple for over 35 years. He also serves on the Taylor Ministerial Alliance and is a Chaplain for the Wayne County Michigan Sheriff’s Department. Bishop Harper married his lovely and supportive wife, Pamela on March 28, 1981. They are the parents of four adult children; Alisha, Dayna, Isaiah and Jennifer, and proud grandparents of five precious jewels, Bryson, Jalen, Earl Jr., Eden Grace and Princeton Coleman.