A brief biography of Charles Harvey Lord

Harvey Lord0008A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Harvey was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1947. He received his B.A. (1945) from Phillips University in Oklahoma, his M. Div (1952) from Union Theological Seminary, an M.A. (1965) from the University of Chicago, and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago while serving University Church. Harvey married his sweetheart, May Sweet Lord, who preceded him in death in 2011. Harvey Lord0001Harvey served in ministry in the Philippines, where his oldest son, Timothy, was born. He also served in ministry positions at Northern Christian College, the Vigan Christian Training Institute, Apayao Christian High School, and prior to University Church, Harvey served as pastor of First Christian Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, where his son Stephen and daughter, Marilyn were born. Harvey also served as organizing pastor of the Christian Church in Villa Park prior to jointing University Church. Harvey also served at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis where he became a leading political organizer. Harvey began his ministry at University Church as co-minister with Charles Bayer until 1973, when Charles resigned. Harvey again entered into shared ministry when Peg Stern served alongside him from 1973 to 1982. Harvey Lord0005It was during Harvey’s pastorate that Juan Jose and Maria Teresa Gomez and their three children entered into Sanctuary at University Church as we began our decades long relationship with Saq Ja’ which continues as the current delegation of University Church prepares to head to Guatemala. Harvey Lord0003As he prepared to retire from active ministry in his final message to the University Church community in the June 1989 edition of the Messenger, Harvey said, “I fell in love with this congregation…you are an exceptional people…thank you for our time together.” As a community, through our sadness, we remember that Harvey was an exceptional human being who sought after God’s heart. We thank God for allowing Harvey to reside with us as we commit his soul, with great gladness for his time with us, to eternity.