History of Our Founders
Our Founder – Elder Alvin Perryman
Elder Alvin Perryman was born on March 12, 1957 in Mississippi. He is the eighth child born of nine siblings. At the age of nine his family moved to Danville, IL. While growing up he excelled academically and in sports. Elder Perryman graduated from Danville High School with numerous scholarship offers. He chose to further his academic studies and run track at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. While attending the University of Illinois Elder Perryman gave his life to the Lord and was blessed to meet his future wife! He graduated college in 1980 and got married in June of 1982.
In 1982, Elder Perryman’s job transferred him from Rockford, IL to Evanston, IL. He began to attend church at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ where Bishop Carlis L. Moody is the Pastor. While there he served faithfully in various areas such as Sunday school teacher, YPWW President, Pulpit coordinator, the jail and nursing home ministries, Scholastic Motivation Ministries and Missions. He was also able to travel to Panama and Germany. Elder Perryman was ordained by Bishop Ford in 1992.
After serving under the leadership of Bishop Moody for twenty years, Elder Perryman founded the Harvest Temple Church of God in Christ in June 2002. Pastor Perryman (affectionately called by the members) continues to serve in the Lord’s work faithfully. He has established the Breakfast Corner, The Harvest Fest and Opportunity Nights to reach out to the community. Pastor Perryman loves working for the Lord and helping individuals to grow spiritually, physically and economically.
Pastor Alvin Perryman has been married to his wife Maria Perryman for 28 years. They have three wonderful children, one daughter and two sons.
First Lady Maria L. Perryman
Maria L. Perryman is a native of Chicago Illinois. She graduated from Carver High School on Chicago’s South side and went on to the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) where she received her bachelor’s degree in Health Education. It was there she met her husband to be, Alvin Perryman and married him in 1982. She is now the loving wife and mother of three children, a daughter and two sons. Her daughter Victoria is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Finance and is currently working for Coldwell Banker. Her son Alexander is a US Marine and is working in sales. And Joshua will be attending Michigan State University majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Maria began her service in the ministry in education at Faith Christian Academy in 1986 under the supervision of Bishop Carlis L Moody Sr. In 1992, she began teaching in the Chicago Public School system as a third grade teacher. While a teacher in CPS (Chicago Public Schools), Maria received two Masters degrees in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading and in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She also received her National Board Certification in 2004. She is currently working as an Area Reading Coach for CPS for over 30 schools.
Her professional career outside of academia includes being a pastor’s wife, teaching, church administration and working in the district, state, and national church. The most important aspect of her life is her personal relationship with the Lord Jesus which was established at the early age through a miraculous healing at the age of 5.
Her personal mission statement and scripture sums it all up:
“To instruct, empower, and equip individuals with the skills and resources needed for a prosperous Christ-centered enriched life”.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
