Michael Harpe

Michael Anthony Harpe is the director of Stewardship Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Elder Harpe is an ordained minister of the gospel. He served the South Central Conference for 28 years before being called to serve the North American Division on December 1, 2019. His 28 years of conference service included 12 years in pastoral ministry, four years in education as a chaplain and high school Bible teacher for Oakwood Adventist Academy (K-12), and 13 years as a departmental director, at times, in overlapping capacities: communication (7 years); Planned Giving & Trust Services (10 years); ASI (10 years), and, finally, Stewardship Ministries (7 years).

He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and was baptized at age 12 during an evangelistic tent meeting.

Elder Harpe’s life in ministry began in 1985, serving as youth pastor under the leadership of Pastor S. T. Lewis at the Glenville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, while matriculating at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), he served as a church intern, assisting Pastor E. C. Ward at Oakwood Church in Huntsville, Ala. He graduated in 1991 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees: theology with a minor in biblical languages, and mathematics with a minor in business management. In 2005, he obtained his Master of Arts in homiletics and Church growth from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn.

To educate the South Central constituency in all aspects of Christian stewardship, Elder Harpe developed “Stewardship Breathe” seminars and workshops inspired by Psalm 31:6–8 (MSB): “…I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love; you saw my pain, you disarmed my tormentors. You didn’t leave me in their clutches but gave me room to breathe.”

Harpe is happily married, since 1983, to his girlfriend Selita Atchley of Charleston, W.V. Selita is Elder Harpe’s partner in life and ministry. Her contributions to the ministry are innumerable.

Elder Harpe believes God’s generosity is revolutionary and relational. It is because of our relationship with Him that we delight to partner with Him in funding the mission—to share the everlasting gospel with the world. Our relationship between ourselves as stewards (life managers) and the Creator (Owner) is the foundation of biblical stewardship. Stewardship is not just about money. Relational generosity must be emphasized first. God (Owner) has given us dominion over His possessions, so we must remain in close relationship with Him for guidance. Faithful management of His stuff is relevant and woven into every aspect of life.