Rev. James E. Tharp was born in Lewis County, TN to Rev. Escar & Lockye Elizabeth Turnbow Tharp.  Raised in a dedicated minister's home and feeling the call of God upon his life, Rev. Tharp devoted his younger years to prayer and intensive study of the Word of God.  Upon the completion of high school, he moved to Gary, IN and gained employment at Inland Steel Co. to earn his tuition for Bible School.  During that time, in a revival service, he met the love of his life, Sharon Haff of Bourbon, IN.  They were married on September 11, 1955 and to this union were born three sons: Philip Lee, Christopher Luke, and Jaymes Alan, all of which are now in active ministry and are "fourth generation Pentecostals".

Sharon Haff Tharp was born into a family of very involved and active Christians.  Her heritage is one of being among the founders of the United Pentecostal Church in Bourbon, IN in the early 1920's.  She is the granddaughter of the late Laura & Elzie Faulkner, known as "Pentecostal Pioneers" in the area.  She, like her husband, received the Acts 2:38 born again experience at eight years old and was very involved in many capacities of church work.

Rev. Tharp ministered in various churches in the states of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa, and Minnesota, as well as the city of Chicago, and the surrounding area.  He served as Pastor's Assistant in Gary and South Bend, IN and pastored in Iowa and Minnesota.  In the early 70's, long time friend and Tennessee District Superintendent, W. M. Greer, called him to inform "James" that he wanted him back in Tennessee to pastor the church in Kingsport.  After much prayer and a visit to the church, he felt this was the will of God and he accepted the Pastorate of the First Apostolic Church of Morrison City in Kingsport, TN.

After approximately five years, with the congregation already outgrowing their present facility, the State of Tennessee decided to build a highway through the center of the church building.  Then, through a Divine miracle, the Lord made it possible for the church to purchase prime property in the most beautiful part of the city.  There, under Pastor Tharp's leadership, Christian Life Center, as it stands today (36,000 sq. ft.), was built.

This couple also shared a burden for a Christian school, and in 1982 Christian Life Academy opened its doors with their eldest son, Philip, as Principal.  A childcare center, Little Friend's Day Care, which was launched at the previous church site under the direction of Sharon Tharp, was continued at the new location.  Both Christian Life Academy and the Child Care Center are in operation today.

Rev. Tharp served on the Tennessee Home Missions Board as well as twenty-two years on the Tennessee District Board as Section I Presbyter before choosing to retire from this position in 1995.  In April 2000, after over thirty-five years of active ministry, pastoring a strong congregation, and upon reaching the age of retirement, Pastor Tharp decided to retire from the full-time Pastorate of Christian Life Center.  However, as Pastor Emeritus, he is still quite involved in effective ministry here at Christian Life Center of the Tri-Cities as well as New Life Ministries in Knoxville, TN.

At a district business meeting in January of 2003, Rev. Tharp was once again elected to the office of Presbyter of Section I of the TN District. He accepted and is currently serving in that position.

The church is not just stone and mortar... it is people.  Our church is a fellowship of people who are bound together in a common purpose - to promote the cause of Christ: ministering to the needs of mankind, seeing the lost saved and the sick healed!

We give honor and glory to God for the miracle that He has wrought in bringing us together and allowing us the beautiful facilities in which we worship in Spirit and in Truth!

Our church is indeed a miracle in itself!
 

Rev. James E. Tharp
Pastor Emeritus
Christian Life Center of the Tri-Cities