Pastoral Resident
Our Pastoral Resident invests in our youth ministry and helps lead our community outreach effort. The pastors are also developing C.J.’s gifts in teaching, leadership, and pastoral care.
Biography
C.J. Harrison grew up in central Maryland, and from a young age, he knew that he wanted to find a career in ministry. This started out with volunteering in the children’s, youth, and worship ministries at his home church. Upon graduating high school, he taught drum and guitar lessons part-time, served with Cru, and studied business at Carroll Community College for two years. In 2018, he moved to Carroll County to jump into full-time ministry at River Valley Ranch. That is where he met his incredible wife, Katie, and they were married in 2023. In 2024, C.J. began a new job working in juvenile justice at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center while also taking classes from Liberty University Online. His degree program culminated in a semester of student-teaching Bible classes at Lititz Christian School, and in May 2026, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical and Educational Studies. After accepting the offer to become Living Hope’s Pastoral Resident, he and Katie moved to York County. In his free time, C.J. enjoys hiking and fishing with Katie (and their dog Ruby!), watching Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears hockey, and playing games with friends.