Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 28, 1994                   TAG: 9404280208
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MINISTRY GAVE HIM A SENSE OF SERVICE

He studied political science at Radford University and planned to go to law school.

But on further reflection, he says, "I felt when I got at the end of my life, I wanted to look back and see I'd made a positive contribution, that I'd made a difference in the lives of people and the community where I live. To me, the ministry has a strong sense of service."

So he went to divinity school instead.

At age 24, he became pastor of the Ridgewood Baptist Church, just off Shenandoah Avenue near the Salem city limits.

Since then, he has helped organize the Ridgewood Park Neighborhood League and has served on a number of city committees.

In 1992, he was appointed to the school board.

Harris is married and has two children, ages 2 and 4.

Keywords:
POLITICS PROFILE