…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Mathew 16:18.
Elder CEDRIC GLENN HARRELL, SENIOR
Cedric G. Harrell, Sr. is the fifth child born to Mr. Charles Willie Harrell, Sr and Mrs. Helen Gail Harrell on February 4, 1963. He grew up in the Stop Six area of Fort Worth, and Cedric attended Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Cedric also became acquainted with the Stop Six Church of God In Christ on Katy Street under the Late Superintendent L.C. Castleberry at an early age where he became involved in their Youth Ministries such as: The Sunshine Band, Youth Choir, Sunday School, and the Boy Scouts of America. He also became an accomplished bass guitar player for the young men’s gospel group known as the “Gospel Tones” as well as the church choirs. During this time, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
Upon completion of high school in May of 1981, he met his high school sweetheart (La Wanda). They were married on July 9, 1982. They are the proud parents of one son, Cedric Glenn Harrell, Jr., one daughter, Glynnis La Nae Harrell, a daughter-in-law, Shekenia Harrell, and three granddaughters, Kyla Ja Nae Harrell, Kamri Lee Ann Harrell and Kaydence La Shell Harrell.
Cedric is a 1989, Magna Cum Laude graduate of Jarvis Christian College where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management. He was ordained as an Elder by Bishop J. Neaul Haynes after completing courses of study through the North Texas Institute of Ministerial Education in 2010. Cedric has also served on the Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Finance Department under Bishop James E. Hornsby. He has worked for the General Services Administration for over thirty years, where he is currently a Realty Specialist Project Manager in the Public Buildings Service. He also is a member of the Federal Business Association (FBA).
Cedric remains a devoted member and Elder of the Golden Gate Church of God In Christ. He is now serving as an Assistant to the Pastor, Supt. Johnny L. Castleberry. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors, President of the Men’s Ministry and over the years has served in many capacities as appointed by the Pastor such as: Chairman of the Deacon Board, Supt. of Youth Sunday School, President of Young People Willing Workers (YPWW), Assistant to the Superintendent of the Love District, and Chairman of Finance of the Love District. He also has volunteered at Bill J. Elliot Elementary School where his children attended, and the local Young Men Christian Association (YMCA).
Cedric plans to write a book, with his wife, sharing some of their life experiences, and also engage in an entrepreneurial venture in the future.
LA WANDA RENEA HARRELL
My name is La Wanda Renea Harrell. I was born on November 7, 1963, in Fort Worth, Texas. My parents are the late Lawrence Lane, Senior and Mary Louise Lane. I am the oldest of five children. My two brothers are: Lawrence Lane, Junior and Rodney Taylor.
My two sisters are: La Quita Kincaid and Monica Lane-Hudson.
I matriculated through the Fort Worth Independent School District, and I earned my high school diploma from Arlington Heights High School in May of 1982. During this time, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior while attending New Providence Missionary Baptist Church. Shortly thereafter, a portion of my family was led to Golden Gate Church of God in Christ where I met and married my high school sweetheart. The love of my life is Cedric Glenn Harrell, Senior. We were married on July 9, 1982. We are the proud parents of a son, Cedric Glenn Harrell, Junior, and a daughter, Glynnis La Nae Harrell. We also have a daughter-in-love, Shekenia Lafaye Harrell, and three granddaughters: Kyla Ja’Nae, Kamri LeeAnn, and Kaydence La Shell.
In 1985, my husband and I were blessed to enroll in college. We attended Jarvis Christian College were we both earned Bachelors Degrees in Business Administration with honors in 1989. After returning home from college, I worked three years as a Contract Specialist and a Contract Administrator contracting building services for General Services Administration. Then, I decided that my attention was needed more at home. So, I became a Substitute Teacher in the Fort Worth Independent School District for the next eight years. I moved into assisting teachers in 2001 until my retirement in 2014. I have been equally as busy working in my local church serving as a Youth Sunday School Teacher, Member of the Nursing Home Ministry (Wheels of Fire), Financial Secretary, Ministers’ Wives President, Assistant to My Husband, Pastor, and First Lady in Ministry, and a member of our Sanctuary Choir. Also, in 2018, I was licensed as an Evangelist Missionary after attending the Texas Northeast First Ministerial Academy. I now serve as the First Lady of Golden Gate Church of God in Christ.
My goals for the future entail helping grow our family business (Business Solutions), establishing a program in my local church community whereby we can offer a safe place for youth to come for tutoring, fine arts, and music which will aid them in being well rounded as they become young adults. I would also like to establish a foundation that will sponsor students through college during their undergrad studies with backgrounds much like my husband and me. Last, but certainly not least, I am endeavoring to work the works of Him that sent me while it is day because the night cometh when no man can work.