Bishop Harry L. Herman

Harry Leander Herman was born on November 14, 1924, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Elder John and Theresa Herman. Harry was baptized in Jesus Name at an early age and received the Holy Ghost on July 5, 1949. He attended the public schools of Indianapolis and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in June 1943. He was later employed as a radio announcer on station WAOV in Vincennes, Indiana. He received his call from Uncle Sam and served in the United States Army during World War II from 1943-1945. After basic training, he was sent to Michigan State College in Lansing, Michigan for a special training program in the engineering department. Afterward, he returned to Camp Crowder, Missouri and was assigned to the Army Signal Corps to be trained in high-speed communications. With his training complete, he was assigned to WTJ, the Army Radio Station in Honolulu, Hawaii, and later assigned to a Navy communication ship in the Pacific theater. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and received an honorable discharge at the end of the war in 1946. Returning home, he entered Purdue University Extension in Indianapolis, Indiana as a student in the electrical engineering department. While at Purdue, he met Jenny Rea "Jerry" Brubaker. They were married on October 9, 1949 and their union was blessed with five sons. During this time, he was hired by the American Can Company as a night Department Supervisor and later was employed by Thomas L. Green as an engineer. He left there so he would be free to attend church, learning and deepening his understanding of the Word, as God had called him to enter the full-time ministry. He received his Fellowship certificate in March 1955 with the Apostolic Bible Students Association (A.B.S.A.) and in August 1956, he received his P.A.W. ministerial license. By 1957, he had become an invaluable member of the ministerial staff at Christ Temple Church, Indianapolis and was ordained in August 1958. He served in the A.B.S.A. as the Chairman of the Sunday School Department and Assistant Chairman of the Young People's Department. He began teaching Sunday School in 1953 to a class of high school girls, all but one received the Holy Ghost during his teaching. They remain 'his girls' and those who are alive are yet working for God. In 1960 Bishop Willie Lee, Pastor of Christ Temple (the Mother Church, Indianapolis, Indiana) asked him to be the Assistant Pastor, where he served until 1965, before moving to Detroit, Michigan to pastor Christ Temple Church on Davison and Livernois. He became a member of the Northern District Council in 1969 and was later appointed to the office of District Elder by Bishop Ross P. Paddock, during the Northern District Council December 1977. In June 1982, He was elected as Chairman of the Council where he served two terms. In March 1989, District Elder Herman was elevated to the Bishopric and consecrated to the office in August 1989 during the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Following his elevation, he was assigned to the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakotas District Council, serving them for 6 1/2 years. During the August 1994 P.A.W. Convention, Bishop Herman was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Aenon Bible College. He also held earned degrees of Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Theology from Grace Apostolic College. In March 1996, following the passing of Bishop William Burrell, he was transferred to the 5th Episcopal District (Michigan) as Diocesan of the P.A.W. Pulpit Committee for three years, and was a member of various appointed committees at different times. While a member of the Board of Bishops of the P.A.W., he was an elected member of the Executive Bishop's Council. He served as Chairman of the Judicial Committee and was appointed as a member by Bishop Norman Wagner and Bishop Horace Smith. In the Council of June 2013, Bishop humbly resigned as the Diocesan of the Northern District Council. Bishop Herman was elected Pastor of Christ Temple Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 5, 1972, following the resignation of Bishop Ross P. Paddock. He was an accomplished, dedicated, and renowned Bible Teacher and Minister. He was an outstanding Sunday School Teacher, a Seminar Teacher for Family Relationships, Doctrinal Subjects, Tithes and Offerings, Ministerial Problems, Marital Relationships, and Church Government. He pastored Christ Temple Church for 37 years, 8 months with honor, dignity, and integrity, even while he served as Diocesan of the Northern District Council. Bishop Herman and Dr. "Jerry" found it very rewarding to be servants of God's people as Pastor of a wonderful 'flock' and to be a Servant of such a great council. During his tenure, he purchased a new building as the church grew. As the Pastor, he passed his immense store of knowledge to his congregation and mentored young ministers and leaders. In December 2009, Bishop Harry L. Herman handed the reins to Elder Tony Thomas, on February 1, 2010 Elder Tony Thomas assumed the official pastorship of Christ Temple Church. After resigning as Pastor, Bishop Herman stayed active in the church, continuing to teach Sunday School, Bible Classes, and morning services until his health no longer allowed. In the March Council of 2014 Bishop Ira Combs, Jr. assumed leadership of the Northern District Council and asked Bishop Herman to continue his teaching until he was no longer able. He is the author of several books, A Study Guide of the Principles of the Apostolic Doctrine, Church Government, So You've Been Born Again, The Manna Table, A Pastor's Thoughts, We Believe, An Introduction to Holiness, as well as a printed convention sermon "Let's Rebuild the Altar". Bishop Harry Leander Herman will always be remembered as a true 'Apostolic Pastor.' Bishop Harry Herman passed away on October 24, 2019 at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dr. Jenny "Jerry" Herman, one son, David Karl Herman and his parents Elder John and Theresa Herman. Bishop is survived by 4 sons, John Richard (Irene) Herman, Harry Phillip (Linda) Herman, Robert Leander Herman and Michael Scott Herman; 7 grandchildren, John R. Herman, Jr., Jill Marie (Jocoby) Coombs, Danford B. Herman, Jeffrey B. (Dawn) Herman, Holly R. Herman, Michael Scott Herman, Jr., Shane Kirkpatrick Herman; 2 great-grandsons, Braden Herman and Keegan Coombs; The Christ Temple Church Family, The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Family; The Northern District Council Family and many saints and friends. https://www.langelands.com