Dr. Blanton Harper, Jr. is the oldest of two sons born to the late Deacon Blanton

Harper, Sr. and Sis. Emma Ethel (Gilliam) Harper. In 1976, he married Miss Deborah Lynn Mitchell. Dr. and Mrs. Harper are the proud parents of two daughters, one son, and the grandparents of ten wonderful grandchildren.

Dr. Harper is a product of the New York City Public Schools. After graduating from

high school, Dr. Harper received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in1974, his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1978, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1999.

     In 1978, Dr. Harper was unanimously called to the New Hope Baptist Church of

Braddock, PA. In a two and a half year period, the congregation grew from 85 to 378active members; the church edifice was completely renovated; and a number of youth, senior citizen ministries, and community economic development organizations were established.

     In 1981, Dr. Harper was unanimously called to the Historic Liberty Hill Baptist Church of Cleveland, OH. During this pastorate, globally, Liberty Hill provided significant funding for a Christian health station located in the Cameroons, West Africa. Regionally, Liberty Hill became an accredited center for education through Virginia Union University School of Theology. Locally, the church operated a 24 hour drop-in center hot line, a clothing exchange and hot meals program which ministered to over 300 persons each month.

     Collaboratively, Dr. Harper led the church to be involved in a five church consortium that built two apartment complexes for the physically challenged and elderly, and a 12.2 million dollar shopping center. Because of Dr. Harper's belief in challenging and nurturing our youth, a Saturday Church School with a regionally acclaimed performing arts ministry was begun. Soon afterwards, a scholarship-in-escrow program was developed that has sent hundreds of children in that congregation and community to schools of higher learning and skilled trades. During Dr. Harper's pastorate at Liberty Hill, the congregation grew from 423 family households in 1981 to over 900 family households (or 3,000 members) actively represented in 2005.

     In September, 2005, Dr. Harper became the Chairman of the Church Growth and Development Board of the National Baptist Convention of America. Led by the Spirit of God, Dr. Harper retired from Liberty Hill to plant prospective churches in the southeast area of Greater Cleveland. This is an area that is rapidly growing and is fertile for Christian evangelism. The first NBCA church plant is the New Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Harper is now serving as pastor, and the church is steadily growing and giving a strong witness in that community.

Along with pastoring, Dr. Harper has been working with the National Baptist

Convention of America as Secretary-Treasurer of the Insurance and Annuity Board.