Pastor Harold L. Howard, Sr. (Hassie) was born in Washington, DC, September 22, 1958. He is one of eight  children born to the late Bishop Norman and Hattie Howard. Pastor Howard grew up in Merrifield, VA and attended Oakton High School. He has been devoted to his lovely wife Lajuana since August 25, 1984, and is the father to 7 children and 21 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

As a young adult, Pastor Howard sang with various groups in the Virginia area including “Willie Banks and the Gospel Messengers and the WMS Brothers.” In 1984, at the age of 27 by the grace of God, he was able to overcome his addiction to drugs and ultimately answered his calling to become a minister. He now travels and ministers to all, sharing God’s deliverance in “taking the needle from his vein” and saving his soul.

Pastor Howard is a “down home” man with his foundations set in the Word of God. He has the ability to entertain any crowd with his powerful testimonies and his God given voice. His motto is to “Put God First”. He even named his business “PGF & Services” after this motto. Pastor Howard’s friendly and loving nature to all he encounters exuberates as soon as he walks into a room. His desire to lead people to Christ has also awarded him the position of Chaplin to the Pleasure Seekers Motorcycle Club to which he is a member.

He has been serving as Pastor of Community Baptist Church since November 2009, and was previously the Assistant Pastor for 15 yrs under the leadership of his late father, Bishop Norman Howard.

In 1987, he and his brothers formed a group called “The Howard Singers”. They have two releases entitled “Living Mama’s Vision” and “The Howard Singers.” Pastor Howard also sings and plays the guitar for the Barbour Travelers of Clifton, VA.

We the members of Community Baptist Church, love, honor and respect our Pastor and truly thank God for him. For as the Word of God says, “How shall they preach except they be sent?” And as it is written, “How Beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Rev. Harold L. Howard, Sr. (Hassie)