Grace Covenant Church
04 Surrender.mp3
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Dr. Paul Harthern was born into a classical Pentecostal home in Stoke-on Trent, England. His father, Charles, was a minister for over forty years and pioneered over ten churches in England. Howard Carter, John Carter, Donald Gee and Smith Wigglesworth often stayed in their home in England during Paul’s childhood years. He has one brother, Dr. Roy Harthern, who is also a minister.When Paul was fifteen, his family moved to the United States. After graduating from high school he attended and graduated from Southeastern Bible College. He received a BA Degree from Florida State University with a major in English and speech and a minor in philosophy, sociology and foreign languages. He received an MA Degree from the University of Montevallo in counseling and guidance and did other graduate work at the University of Alabama. He recently received an honorary Doctor of Theology degree from Christian Life School of Theology and Seminary, for whom he teaches several classes a year.For several years, Paul pursued a business career in which he received recognition for excellence in sales and sales management with General Motors. He was approved as the owner of a Buick, Olds, Pontiac dealership, but even with this success, he realized that the only true fulfillment and peace of mind for him would be to submit to Gods call upon his life for ministry. For the past thirty years he has found total satisfaction in pastoral ministry. He has pastored five churches in the Southeast; two of them he pioneered. He has also been a guest several times on Trinity Broadcasting Network.His wife, Dr. Alvis Harthern, has worked in education for forty years. She was an elementary teacher and university professor. She retired as Professor of Education and Associate Dean of the College of Education at the State University of West Georgia and has authored five books since then. She was previously a national consultant for Silver-Burdette Publishing Company, for whom she co-authored a textbook on social studies. Paul and Alvis have been married for fifty-six years.In 1985 Paul and his wife started the church in which he is now pastor. Because of Gods blessings, they are in their second building program at this church.In recent years it has been their privilege to watch God send out into full-time ministry members from their congregation. Paul believes very strongly in Team Ministry and enjoys helping believers discover their gift, determine their place and develop their ministry. Every believer should be a fully functioning member of the Body of Christ.Paul was elected twice by the ministers of Carrollton to be the president of the local Ministerial Association. It is his conviction that all walls that separate, must be torn down so that bridges of relationships can be built. With Gods help we can always do His will and fulfill His purpose better by being united together.
Dr. Alvis Trimble Harthern was born into a ministers home. Her father was a pastor of several churches in Ohio and Kentucky as well as served in various leadership roles in his denomination. The influence of both parents was tremendous for Alvis and her brother and sister.From the time that she was in her early teens, Alvis knew that she wanted to be a teacher. She started teaching Sunday school while in high school.Upon graduation from high school in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, she went to Southeastern Bible College in Lakeland, Florida. Because, at that time, Southeastern was a three-year college, she transferred to Florida Southern College at the end of the three years to complete a degree in elementary education. Later she completed a Masters of Arts degree at Florida State University, majoring in elementary education. In 1968 she completed her Ph.D. in elementary education and curriculum development at the University of Alabama.Alvis taught for 40 years before her recent retirement. She taught first at the elementary school level. Upon completion of her Ph.D. she taught at the University of Montevallo, Alabama. When her husband became a pastor of a church in Carrollton, Georgia, she was employed at the State University of West Georgia. While at Montevallo she was appointed chairman of the Elementary Education Department. Later she was appointed chairman of the Early Childhood Department at SUWG. Before her retirement she was appointed Associate Dean of the College of Education at the State University of West Georgia.While at the University of Montevallo Alvis was invited to join a team of writers to write a social studies series for grades K-8. Gods blessing was upon this endeavor for it was the number one seller in the nation for several years. She worked one year for the publishing company as their national consultant. She has continued writing since her retirement. A curriculum guide for teachers of children K-3 was developed for the Book of Hope organization to be used by teachers around the world. Four books have also been written: Prepared: A study of Joshua, Ancient Worship for a New Millennium, Anonymous Women of Faith, and Suddenlies in the Bible. The first three books are used in three CLST courses taught by Alvis and her husband. Paul teaches Joshua and Davidic worship, Alvis teaches Women of Faith.Traveling is a joy for Alvis. She has been to about 40 countries. In some of them she has been involved in Christian ministry speaking at womens conferences, teaching her CLST course, and sessions for helping Sunday school teachers become more effective teachers.Alvis and Paul have been married 56 years. Paul is senior pastor at Grace Covenant Church in Carrollton, Georgia, their fifth church to pastor and second church to pioneer.
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