Meet The Pastors

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Senior Pastor >> Rev. Andy Harris

Pastor Andy Harris began his ministry at Central Assembly of God on September 25, 1996. Born in Prescott, Arkansas, Brother Harris is a native of Bossier City, and a graduate of Bossier High School. His parents Chubby & Jamie Harris were a prominent Bossier City builder and schoolteacher, respectively. He earned a B. S. in Pastoral Ministries and Evangelism at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. He also completed a ministerial internship at his home church, Broadmoor Assembly of God, in Shreveport, Louisiana, under the leadership of Pastor Don R. Logan. His postgraduate studies were received at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

While attending college, our Pastor married Miss Sheryl Lynn Thompson of Hurst, Texas, on October 17, 1981. They served as Youth Pastor and Administrative Assistant at Calvary Temple, in Irving, Texas, with Pastor J. Don George. It was there that Pastor Harris was ordained to the ministry on April 10, 1985.

The Harrises were involved in ministry in Baton Rouge for 2 1/2 years, and then served as Pastor of Kings Corner Assembly of God in Sarepta, Louisiana, for 8 1/2 years, before coming to Central Assembly of God. In addition to his pastoral duties, Brother Harris also serves as the Executive Presbyter for the Louisiana District Council of the Assemblies of God.

The Harrises have two lovely daughters: Lauren, born March 11, 1991; and Andrea, born February 2, 1997.

Under the leadership of Pastor Harris, Central Assembly of God has grown from a church of 39 members to a congregation of more than 800 believers.

Executive Pastor Rev. Carlton Gilmer
Rev. Carlton Gilmer, a native of Bossier City, has been actively involved in local church ministry for over 36 years. He began serving as the organist of Bossier First Christian Church at the age of ten. At age twelve, he served as organist for Bossier First United Methodist Church for six years. Following a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit, Carlton began serving the music ministry of First Assembly of God in Bossier City in 1980. Five years later, Carlton joined both the musical and pastoral team of Shreveport First Assembly of God, where he served as an Associate Pastor and Pastoral Administrator for sixteen years.

Carlton was ordained by the General Council of the Assemblies of God in May of 1991 and by the Christ for the Nations Bible Institute of Dallas, Texas in December of 2001.
In November of 2001, Pastor Carlton joined both heart and vision with his life-long best friend, Pastor Andy Harris, who is the Senior Pastor of Central Assembly of God. Pastor Carlton serves the church as both Executive Pastor and Minister of Music.

Carlton has been privileged to accompany legendary musical artist such as Shoji Tabuchi, Vestal Goodman, Dottie Rambo and Lanny Wolfe. He has made numerous appearances on the stage of the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, LA., and has produced four piano recordings; "Christmas with Carlton," "Rhapsody in White," "Sanctuary," and most recently, "From My Heart to Yours."

Carlton is married to the former Miss Terri Chamberlain of Bossier City, LA. Terri is a Corporate Accountant and she is also actively involved in the ministries of Central Assembly of God, where she serves as both the Nursery Coordinator and the "Central Life Bookstore" manager. Carlton and Terri consider it the greatest honor to partner in ministry with Pastor & Mrs. Andy Harris and the wonderful congregation of Central Assembly of God.

Senior Adult Pastor Rev. Kent Craft
Rev. Kent Craft, along with his wife, Margaret, are natives of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, where they attended the same home church, Oak Grove Assembly of God. Kent and Margaret were Junior High sweethearts and married in 1980. They have been blessed with three children; Jason, Beth, and Natalie.

While pursuing an accounting degree in Monroe, Louisiana, Kent also undertook ministerial studies through the Assemblies of God Berean and ICI ministerial study programs. During Kent's college years, he served as Youth Pastor from Rocky Branch Assembly of God. In 1984, Kent completed his accounting degree, and earned his CPA professional designation. In 1994, Kent was ordained with the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

From 1989 to 1993, the Craft's served as pastors for Sheppard Heights Assembly of God in Minden, Louisiana, and Prarieview Assembly of God in Wright, Wyoming from 1993 to 1996. From 1998 to 2006, the Crafts have served as Children's Pastors for Central Assembly of God. They have recently been promoted to Senior Adult Pastors.

Kent also serves as Chief Financial Officer for Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries; a ministry dedicated to serving persons with developmental disabilities.

Minister of Christian Education Rev. Ken Richmond
Rev. Ken Richmond has been involved in ministry for the past 26 years. Raised in a pastors home he is a native of Arkansas. He first attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma when he felt a direct call to pastoral ministry and then transferred to Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie Texas in 1979. While attending Southwestern he meet his wife Denise, a native of Bossier City. Ken received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration upon graduation from Evangel University in Springfield Missouri in 1982.

Ken first served as a youth pastor and minister of music from 1983-1986 in Arkansas. He was ordained as an Assemblies of God minister in April of 1987. He then became the Assistant Pastor of First Assembly of God in El Dorado Arkansas where he also led praise and worship and directed the sanctuary choir. In 1993, Ken relocated to Houston Texas as the Minister of Music at Christian Temple Assembly of God. In 1996, God called Ken to serve as the senior pastor of First Assembly of God in West Helena Arkansas. He has served as a senior pastor as well as leading the praise and worship of his congregations for the last 12 years.

He has one son Kaleb (1982), daughter Tayler (1989) and grandson Kennison. Denise has her Master's Degree in Special Education with Diagnostic Certification and is currently employed with Caddo Parish Schools.

Youth Pastor

Rev. Dustin Johnston

Dustin Johnston was born on September 19, 1987, and graduated in 2006 from Temple High School in Temple, Texas. He was born and raised a pastor's kid, saved and baptized under his father's ministry, and has been completely involved in ministry from a very young age. Dustin received a B.S. in Pastoral Ministries from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in May 2009.

Dustin served as a ministerial intern at his home church, Bethel Church, for a year prior to college. While working on his degree, Dustin served as youth intern for Live365, the student ministries of Northplace Church in Sachse, Texas. Dustin then became a Youth Pastor at Bethel Temple in Fort Worth, Texas, and served there from early 2008 until the end of 2009.

God has beautifully orchestrated each and every change in Dustin's ministry and has now connected him to Central Assembly of God. Dustin came on staff as Youth Pastor in January 2010. He is incredibly excited about working with the students of Central to uncover God's vision for the youth group and stirring a passion to revolutionize the youth of Haughton, Bossier City, and the whole state of Louisiana.

"It is my heart's desire and calling to follow Jesus faithfully," Pastor Dustin writes, "and to help build a vibrant community of faithful, young Christians who love Jesus and share His incredible love with others."

Minister of Facilities Rev. Chad Rhodes

Rev. and Mrs. Chadwick Rhodes came on staff at Central on December 13, 2008. Chad moved from Hornbeck, La. to Northwest Louisiana on January 10, 2000. Soon after, he met Cindy Patton of Minden, LA and they were married in June of 2001.

While Chad came to us from the Baptist church, Cindy was raised Assembly of God. The Rhodes began attending Central in the summer of 2000. In October of 2006, Chad gave his heart to the Lord and was filled with Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Little did he know that his life would never be the same again! After running from the call of God on his life, Chad answered that call in May of 2007. He is currently attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University through Distance Education.

When Cindy was asked, "How does it feel being in the ministry," she replied, "I always knew that I would be in the ministry and when Chad answered the call, it was no surprise to the both of us." Cindy is devoted to staying at home raising their 3 wonderful children: Cameron born September 28, 2001, Clayton born August 24, 2004 and their niece Pamela Patton born July 3, 2001. Their heart's desire is to abandon their lives for Jesus Christ and to lead as many people as possible to do the same!

Children's Pastor Rev. Jeff Manuel
Rev. Jeff Manuel came on board as the Children's Pastor January 1, 2009. He has had a lifelong career in the ministry. He was born and raised a pastor's kid and has always devoted his life to volunteering wherever he could. He went to Southwestern Assemblies of God University August 2006 where he was called to Children's Ministry and met the love of his life. He has attended Southwestern for three years and is obtaining an Associate's Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor's Degree in Church Ministries with a specialization in Children's and Family Ministries. He is currently pursuing his credentials and minister's license. Jeff is married to Brayden Snyder, who also has a family history of involvement in the ministry. In 2008, Jeff and Brayden served as Children's Pastors at All Nations Church in inner-city Arlington, TX. They will be working hand in hand to nourish the children at Central physically and spiritually. They will both complete their education through the distance education program at SAGU.

Bus Ministry Coordinators

Larry and Joanetta Beacham
Larry and Joanetta have been married for 24 years and have 6 children and 7 grandchildren. They were district pastors at Shiloh Christian Fellowship in Oakland, Ca. for 6 years, Care Group Leaders, and Family and Marriage Counselors. Joanetta has an Associates Degree in Theology and is currently working towards her Bachelors Degree in Theology. She has also worked with the Crisis Pregnancy Center and was active in Women's Ministry. Larry was involved in the Worship and Arts Dept. for 16 years. The Beacham's helped start Operation Blessing in Cotton Valley, that helps feed over 100 families each year. They have been involved in a Saturday Sunday School in Cotton Valley teaching as many as 65 children each Saturday. They have been a part of Central Assembly for one year and lead the bus ministry, bringing many children and adults to church each Sunday morning from Cotton Valley.