Overseer L. Andre Person, Sr.
Overseer L. André Person is the youngest of three children, Gregory and Dionni, born to Apostle Alexander and Dr. Helen Person. From childbirth, Overseer Person attended St. Matthew Holiness Church, now New Harvest Temple. It was at the end of a Tuesday night Bible Study on June 26, 1990 when Overseer cried out to God, asked Him to come into his life, and as a result, he gave his heart to God. Later that summer, he was baptized in Jesus Name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Overseer Person is an anointed musician who has played for various musical groups around the tri-state area. It was through his musical journeys that he met the love of his life, Shelby Lewis. On November 4, 2000, they were married in holy matrimony, and they now have two children, Lamar André, Jr. and Shaylen De’Lise. In addition to their biological children, they are also parents to their oldest son, Floyd Littles.
Overseer was educated in the Southeast Delco School District of Pennsylvania and maintain his membership on the National Honor Society. He has completed courses in both Delaware and Bucks County Community Colleges, as well at The Full Gospel Baptist Bible Institute. Overseer Person answered the call into ministry when he delivered his initial sermon at the age of sixteen titled “Breathe on me.” Overseer was the youngest person ever to deliver his initial sermon in the history of the St. Matthew Holiness Church, in addition to being the only minister to ever have a prayer line after his initial sermon.
Because of the anointing on his life, he progressed as a minister in Godly fashion. In November of 1999, Overseer was licensed as a minister of evangelism and later served as the Junior Pastor.
Continuing under the tutelage and training of his father and pastor, Bishop Alexander Person, Overseer was then ordained an Elder in the Lord’s Church on July 17, 2004. In June of 2005, Apostle Alexander Person announced his retirement and appointment announced Overseer Person, Sr. as the new Sr. Pastor of the St. Matthew Holiness Church, later renamed New Harvest Temple; the vision was enhanced and strengthened for Kingdom Expansion. Overseer serves as the General Overseer and Establishmentarian of the Refreshing Harvest Assembly of Churches, while also serving as a member of the Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries (CCFM) under his mentor and episcopal covering, Bishop Michael A. Blue.
Over the years, Overseer has served in a number of capacities in the Lord’s church such as an usher, devotional leader, adjutant, musician, an ordained evangelist, youth pastor, prophet, elder, and senior pastor. Through Overseer Person’s ministry, souls are saved, marriages mended, miracles performed and healings provoked. God has anointed this youthful man for this generation’s new harvest of souls. Having been chosen to be used in such a time as this, Overseer Lamar André Person, Sr. is simply pleased to be called servant of God.
Elect-Lady Shelby Person
Shelby Person, born Shelby Diana Lewis on February 19 in Philadelphia, PA. She is the third child of Allen Lewis, Sr. and Sharon Lewis. She has two brothers and two sisters, to which the five of them share an awesome bond. She received a early education in the Philadelphia, PA School System and her later in the New Jersey School System. She later received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Phoenix, and a Master’s degree in The Arts of Theological Studies from Liberty University.
Shelby was born and raised in the Apostolic Faith for 24 years at the Philadelphia Way of the Cross Church of Christ, under the leadership of the late Bishop John E. Williams, Sr. She was baptized in Jesus Name at the age of 16 and received the Holy Ghost at age 19. Shelby always reflects on the experience of her receiving the Holy Ghost, as she recalls being in constant physical pain while tarrying with her mother by her side. However, she did not allow this to hinder her from receiving what God had for planned for her life. During her tenure at the Way of the Cross, Shelby was on the Children’s Choir and served faithfully on the Youth for Christ Choir and the Youth for Christ Department including the International body. She was also active in the Women’s Department along with various activities in and out of the church.
Shelby has shared her love of music and singing to ministries outside of her own church walls, helping others with Praise and Worship, structure, and teaching songs to various choirs. For eight years, she served on the musical ministry of T. A. Davis and Restoration Fellowship Chorale as an Alto Section Leader, Administrative Assistant, and 3rd Vice President. During this time, she met the man that would sweep her off her feet and eventually join her on that music ministry, Overseer L. Andre Person, Sr. On November 4, 2000, they were united in holy matrimony, and from this union were born two beautiful children, Lamar Jr. and Shaylen. In addition to their biological children, they are also parents to their oldest son, Floyd Littles.
After joining her husband at his church, Shelby later became a member of the choir, praise and worship team, education department, and youth and young adults. As time moved forward and her husband became Pastor, she found herself in leadership positions, shifting from being known as just “Shelby” to accepting her new role as Elect-Lady Shelby Person. She now oversees the Music and Arts Department and the Women’s Department, as well fills in with administrative duties when needed. Elect-Lady Person, also affectionately known as “Lady P,” would never have imagined the life God has blessed her with today. She’s constantly amazed at how God has elevated and continues to bless her family. She was licensed as a Minister and recognized her prophetic calling in the Lord’s Church in July of 2008. As she continues to walk and growth in her preaching and prophetic call, her love for the people of God has grown heavy, as she desires to see people work to their fullest capacity and encounter the greatness of God.
Elect-Lady Person is appreciative of her upbringing, despite many hardships. She contributes her natural and spiritual foundations of excellence and order to her mother – Sharon Lewis and her late, former pastor – Bishop John E. Williams, Sr. She also appreciates her husband as he continues to push and encourages her to see that greatness is in her. Elect-Lady Person has made a vow to the Lord to use all that is within her to be the best wife and mother she can, while supporting her husband in ministry to build the kingdom of God.