Maurice Harley
I was not raised in a Christian home. At the age of 17 I realized that I was a lost sinner in need
of salvation as offered by Jesus Christ. I was dating a girl and I was required by her family to
attend church with them. That girl has now been my wife for over fifty years.
Over the past 50+ years I have attended various churches ranging from Baptist to Charismatic.
My wife, Terri, and I started attending Girard Bible Church in 2005. We were still recovering
from the loss of our adult daughter and found GBC to be a church family that walked with us
during these difficult years.
Over the years I have been honored to serve as a Deacon and a few years back I was asked to
become an Elder. Serving a risen Lord and Savior has taught me to have a servant’s heart.
What that has looked like day to day, is a family always has needs. Many of these needs are
physical such as when the church building requires maintenance. Or making sure a sister in
Christ has a working auto. Serving one another in little ways like picking up plates after a family
meal and to teaching in Sunday School. As God’s children we all need to be encouraged to
serve Him with all our strength as He is our hope to eternal salvation.
Terri and I have three children and our two sons attend GBC with us. We lost our daughter in
December 2001. We have five grandchildren of which four attend GBC. Terri’s sister also
attends GBC with us and most Sunday’s we all come together and share a family meal.
I have been blessed beyond measure by a loving God. Two scriptures that have been a guiding
light for me are Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:28. I am a forgiven sinner looking forward in hope
to spending eternity with God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit.