Called to Build. Prepared to Lead.Dr. Lonnie D. Harrison Jr.’s Journey of Faith, Service, and Restoration

Dr. Lonnie D. Harrison Jr.’s path to public service did not begin at City Hall. It began through faith, entrepreneurship, community outreach, and more than three decades of creating opportunities for others.

He answered the call to ministry in 1997 and was ordained an Elder in 1999. His early ministry included leadership through music, serving as a district and state minister of music and founding the gospel group Lighthouse. These experiences allowed him to travel, organize people, manage programs, and unite communities around a shared purpose.

In 2013, Harrison felt called to become a pastor. The following year, he and his wife, First Lady Heloise C. Harrison, founded Refuge Church with only six members. Although the church began in Posen, its early development brought Harrison to Harvey, where he encountered both the city’s challenges and its tremendous potential. His guiding instruction became clear: “Build and restore.”

From those humble beginnings, Refuge Church grew into a regional ministry serving Chicago and the south suburbs. Under Harrison’s leadership, the church and its outreach partners have provided meals, temporary housing assistance, clothing, employment networking, senior fellowship, youth performing arts, recovery counseling, and other essential services.

In 2018, Harrison began serving as a spiritual counselor through Refuge Recovery. He also founded the Southside Ministers Alliance and expanded his community outreach through television and radio. In recognition of his service, he received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Far South Community Action Council.

In March 2023, Harrison was consecrated as a Bishop in Glory Carriers Nation. One year later, he entered municipal service in Harvey’s Building Department. He was initially appointed Assistant Director and became Director of Building and Planning approximately three months later.

That leadership role gave Harrison an inside view of how municipal decisions directly affect development, housing, businesses, neighborhoods, and residents’ quality of life. When Mayor Christopher Clark became ill and later passed away, Harrison remained committed to helping the administration and community navigate a difficult transition.

Harrison has now left his City of Harvey employment to devote his full attention to running for mayor. He enters this race as a pastor, entrepreneur, former municipal department director, and proven community servant who believes Harvey can reclaim its promise and once again become a thriving gateway to the south suburbs.

His campaign is grounded in one clear commitment:

Build the city. Restore trust. Reunite Harvey.