Born in Washington, DC in October 1963 to the late Deacon Samuel A. Harris and Ardesial E. Harris, James F. Harris grew up with his brother, Thomas, attending Brookland Union Baptist Church, Washington, DC and was baptized by the late Pastor Rev. Joseph A. Miles, Sr. in 1976. After marrying the former Bridgette R. Short of Lexington Park, MD in August 1988, he answered God’s call to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was licensed to preach by First Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington Park in September 1989 under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Roderick W. McClanahan.