Tommy was born and raised in Alabaster, Alabama attending his first A/G church service when he was only weeks old. He attended First Assembly of God (Kingwood Assembly of God) and was active in Royal Rangers (as a participant and later as a leader), taught Sunday School, and gave stiff competition in the youth activities to Cindy Lucas. During that time, Alabaster First A/G built a foundation in the young people that encouraged them to follow God's call and direction in their lives. From that youth group at that time came a district Superintendent -Rev. Terry Raburn, a missionary to Paraguay - Cindy Lucas, and a missionary to Uruguay - Tommy Harris. Many of the other young people became pastors, associates, lay leaders, Christian musicians, and strong Christian leaders in their community and are still active in the church today. In 1971, Tommy began Southeastern Bible College (Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida to prepare himself for Pastoral ministry. While in a required missions class, he was called to missions sensing God's direction to to go to Uruguay. The following semester, Tommy met Sharon and after a three year courtship, married in 1975.
Sharon (Maddox) was born and raised in Lebanon, Indiana attending First Assembly of God since childhood. As a young girl, her family traveled throughout Indiana singing at homecomings, special meetings, and churches. She was active in missionettes, Sunday School, as a Youth leader and pianist in the church. At the age of 16, she was called to be a missionary (seeing a map of Uruguay) while seeking God at Youth Camp. She started taking Spanish classes in high school in anticipation of fulfilling that call. In 1971, God directed her to go to Southeastern Bible College in Lakeland, Florida to prepare for missionary service. A year later she met a sweet, southern gentleman from Alabama and three years later they were married. God's plans are perfect!
Sharon Maddox and Tommy Harris
photos from Southeastern Bible College
Aaron and Shannon Harris
Aaron was 5 years old when we were appointed missionaries to Uruguay. Our first term on the field, at 8 years old, he was asked to tell a Bible Story (in Spanish) to the children of the Uruguayan pastors at the Uruguay General Council! As an MK, Aaron played a vital part in our church planting ministry. He served as our tech/sound guy, did puppet ministry with his sister, translated for teams and reached out to the community in youth evangelism. In 2005, he became the Children's Pastor in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania...a door that God opened for him to step into ministry in the States.
On June 24, 2006, Aaron married Shannon Ryan at Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida. Shannon has been part of two missions teams that ministered in Romania and Honduras. She has a special love for the children of Honduras and has expressed a desire to return and work with them. Aaron is currently working at GEICO and Shannon teaches 2nd grade. They are living in Lakeland and attend Victory Church helping in the tech department and nursery.
July 14, 2007 was the day our love meter exploded...Kailynn Alyssa Harris (proud parents Aaron and Shannon) added another dimension to our lives as we became 'Mimi' and 'Poppy' to a beautiful, precious, little granddaughter! Those who are already grandparents understand completely the indescribable joy that comes with those titles! To the ones who have yet to experience the bliss of having grandchildren, just know that you will understand only after you have been blessed with that unique gift! There is no way to express that feeling! Today Kailynn is a 4 year old little princess who loves Jesus with all her heart and interacts daily with Him as she learns His word through songs and stories. One day, knowing that we traveled out of state to Georgia to 'tell people about Jesus' she told her mother, "Mommy, Jesus told me to go to Georgia to tell them about Jesus." We believe God has a special call on her life already to share the Good News to those who have yet to hear! We are truly blessed with this precious child that God has gifted to our family!
Kimberly was three years old when we were appointed as missionaries with the Division of Foreign Missions (Assemblies of God World Missions) in November 1985. Although she was young, she still understood that God had called us to Uruguay. One day while in first grade in Uruguay, one of the embassy kids in her class said to her with attitude, "The United States Government sent us here!!" Kimberly didn't miss a beat...she said, "That's okay, God sent my family here!" The little girl was speechless!! During our church planting campaigns, like her brother, Kimberly played a vital part in the ministry. She did puppets with Aaron, helped to lead worship, was in charge of the children's church, and translated for teams. She has a special gift for language that is amazing as well as the ability to handle transition and change with ease. She is truly a blessing! Kimberly graduated from Evangel University with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Spanish.
On January 1, 2011 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Kimberly married Brock Short, a pastor's son from Missouri. Also a graduate from Evangel University, Brock has pursued a career in radio and communications. Starting Brock Entertainment a few years ago he has developed a deejay business that serves the tri-state area. Kimberly teaches 4th grade in Springdale and is working on her Masters degree. They are actively involved in Keypoint Church in Rogers, Arkansas where Brock is worship leader and Kimberly is director of hospitality. God definitely has His hand upon their lives directing their footsteps.
Special Dates:
Anniversary - Tommy & Sharon Harris November 8, 1975
Aaron & Shannon Harris June 24, 2006
Kimberly and Brock Short January 1, 2011
Birthday - Tommy September 1
Sharon August 1
Kimberly September 21
Brock May 3
Aaron December 10
Shannon January 29
Kailynn July 14, 2007
