Elder Sylvester A. Harvey passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the age of 62 years. He was born March 18, 1952 in Gary, Indiana to Leopold and Alaine Harvey.
A graduate of Lew Wallace High school, he continued his education at Purdue University where he received a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University. A resident of Lansing, Michigan, Elder Harvey retired after 30 years of service with General Motors. Most recently he worked as an engineering consultant and adjunct instructor at the University of Phoenix and Jackson Community College.
Elder Harvey accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and later answered the call to ministry. Elder Harvey was ordained by the late Bishop Floyd Walls of the Great Lakes/Ontario Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Elder Harvey served under Pastor James Martin of New Hope C.O.G.I.C. in Lansing, Michigan along with his wife, Missionary Theresa Harvey. In January, 2009, he and his wife established the Greater Abundance of Life Ministries in Lansing, Michigan with weekly community Bible studies, teaching and preaching the Word of God; and proclaiming and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ministry was expanded to include weekly broadcasts on local radio stations: WWSJ Joy 1580/103 FM and WLCM 1390 AM and 13 other affiliate radio stations throughout the south, mid-western and eastern states. Additional service of Elder Harveys ministries included jail ministry, mentoring troubled young men, Bible teaching at the Lansing Rescue Mission, YPWW teacher, Sunday school teacher, District Sunday School Superintendent and serving on the Board of Trustees for New Hope C.O.G.I.C.
Elder Harvey leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Theresa Harvey; two sons, Sylvester Andre (Dorcas) Harvey Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Lamar (Cicely) Harvey of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one daughter, Melissa Harvey of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Leopold Harvey Jr., Michael (Ethel) Harvey and Thomas (Sharlonda) Harvey; one aunt, Augustine Rogers; two god-sons, Marcus Nolan and Jermaine ONeal; four god-daughters, Arnetta (Gidget) Dean, Veneise Byers, Dorian Mitchell, Trinity Mitchell; several nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and church family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leopold and Alaine Harvey and fraternal twin sister, Sylvia Baldwin.
Elder Harveys proclamation was: I am not ashamed to preach and teach the gospel because God has called me to that purpose.
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