Harada Feels Blessed During Easter Holiday
When Jeff Harada, ruling elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Wolf Point, thinks of the Easter holiday, one Biblical verse immediately comes to his mind.
“That’s the ultimate meaning of John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” Harada said. “We’re certainly blessed.”
Harada has served as the fulltime ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church since January of 2009, but his association with the church covers more than 60 years, starting when his parents demanded that he attended church and Sunday school.
He now carries his faith within his daily life. When he served as Wolf Point’s police chief, his faith provided him comfort to tough calls including criminal death investigations or being around grieving family members.
He points to Philippians 4:13 that reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
He noted, “My faith has helped me with my PTSD. It has helped me greatly for strength.”
Harada’s adult involvement at the church included serving in the church session and filling it as a worship leader. He went on to provide temporary supply.
The Wolf Point church suffered a great loss when Pastor Dwight Swanson died unexpectedly in 2008. Swanson’s widow, Donna, led worship services for most of the rest of that year until leaving the area.
The church session then asked Harada to take over as ruling elder.
“I welcomed the decision and it’s been an incredible, awesome religious experience,” Harada said.
In addition, Harada conducts services in Poplar twice a month. During the first and third Sundays of the month, Harada has a service in Poplar at 9 a.m. and then at Wolf Point at 11 a.m.
The message is the same at both churches during those days.
“If the jokes don’t work in Poplar, I don’t use them in Wolf Point,” Harada teases.
He stresses that all the glory should be given to God. “He speaks through me, I believe,” Harada said.
As far as the upcoming holiday, Harada suggests, “Remember that Christ died on the cross for all of our sins.”
