Our Pastor

Pastor J. Leonard Harding Jr. is a man gifted with a passion for God's Word coupled with a love for God's people. He has a contagious spirit of generosity that overflows in every facet of his life.

As pastor of Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church and the Executive Director of Christ Tabernacle Ministries of Excellence, Inc. Pastor Harding has unwaveringly served this congregation since the age of fourteen. 

Pastor Harding was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio. He was raised alongside his brother, Elder Martin A. Harding, by his parents, Mother Pauline E. (Pringle) Harding and Dr. James L. Harding Sr., Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church's founding apostolic parents. Pastor Harding is the fourth generation of Apostolic Pentecostal preachers and teachers that was nurtured and trained in the gospel of Jesus Christ at a young age. Pastor Harding was a multi-letter student athlete. He graduated from Garfield High School and went on to obtain the following academic accomplishments:

• Associate of Science Degree., Systems Analysis, RETS Technical School (1982)

• Bachelor of Science Degree., Education, Miami University (1996)

• Med., Educational Administration, Xavier University (1999) 

• Completion of Superintendent License, University of Cincinnati (2000)

• Ed.D, ABD, Urban Educational Leadership, University of Cincinnati (2002)

Pastor Harding has been Senior Pastor of Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church since 2010, taking over the ministry after the passing of our dear founder, the late Dr. James L. Harding Sr. Pastor Harding has held virtually every position at Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church from organist and minister of music to assistant pastor serving by the side of his father. In 2000, Dr. James L. Harding Sr. commissioned then Assistant Pastor Harding to write a separate 501(c)(3) that would open the ministry to educating youth. This was the birth of Christ Tabernacle Ministries of Excellence, Inc. That year Christ Tabernacle Learning Center was formed, which is a pre-school and after-school program that has educated and served hundreds of children in the City of Hamilton. In 2005 Christ Tabernacle Ministries of Excellence, Inc. submitted a proposal to the Ohio Department of Education to authorize charter schools and they became the first faith based organization to authorize charter schools in the state of Ohio. This branch of the ministry is the Educational Resource Consultants of Ohio, Inc. It is responsible for monitoring over 25 charter schools across the state of Ohio that consist of over 10,000 students.

In July 2014, Pastor J. Leonard Harding led the congregation to a blessed expansion of God. A church campus came available in the neighboring township. By the grace of God, the 1.4 million dollar church campus that sits on five acres of land was purchased in less than 30 days.

Pastor Harding is an Ordained Minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. and served as the Chairman of the Southwest Region Christian Education Association of the Ohio District Council for many years. Pastor has a passion for the Word of God and as the former Music Minister here at CTAC has a passion for music and the arts. 

Pastor Harding started his professional career in 1982 as a Computer Programmer for Ohio Casualty Insurance, Inc. Pastor Harding always wanted to be a teacher and football coach because of his love for the youth so he changed his career path. His past relative experience has been as the Director of Education for Hamilton County Juvenile Court of Common Pleas, Principal, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at the Northwest Local School District. He started his career in education as a Science Teacher for the Princeton City School District. He has received special recognition awards in education, the "Sally Mae Teacher of the Year" from the Princeton City School District, "Excellence in Programming" from Xavier University and the "Ohio Principals Mentoring Program" from the Ohio Department of Education. Pastor Harding was also an Adjunct Professor at Xavier University and Mount Vernon University.

Our First LAdy

Pastor Harding has been happily married to his lovely wife Lady Darlene Harding since 1990 and they have 3 children: David (Kelsey), Danielle (Brian) and Brittani who all work diligently in the ministry. Lady Harding currently serves as the Church Administrator and WINGS Woman's Ministry Director. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Ohio University (1983) and has worked for various corporations and agencies for over 17 years. She also has a Child Development Associate credential and served as the Director of Christ Tabernacle Learning Center for 13 years. Lady Harding formed Majestic Generation, which is a Praise Dance team that has grown to over 50 young girls that have ministered across the United States. They have won national awards and have ministered on TBN and many venues. Lady Harding's sweet personality sets the loving tone of our congregation and her passion is to serve the Lord and the people of God.