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He attended Bethune-Cookman College (now University) in Daytona Beach, Florida, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in Pre-Law. However, in 1978 as a student Dr. Harper participated in Cooperative Education with the Department of Interior (National Park Service). Consequently, this program would lead to a career that spanned over 20 years with the Federal Government. Employed as a Park Ranger, Historian, Fire-fighter, and Naturalist, Dr. Harper was stationed at National Parks throughout the United States to preserve the natural, recreational, and historical values of these national treasures. These sites include the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida, Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six, South Carolina, the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi-Alabama-Tennessee, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the Roosevelts and Vanderbilt National Historic Sites in Hyde Park York, and Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown, New Jersey.

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More importantly, it was Dr. Harper's love for history that led him to serve as the first Park Manager and Superintendent of Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, established to commemorate the 1954 Supreme court decision to end segregation in the United States. After three years at Brown v. Board of Education, he was asked to provide oversight and planning for the newly designated New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Unknowingly, during Dr. Harper's time in Topeka, Kansas, God was gradually preparing him for a greater call. He acknowledged his call to the preaching ministry in the fall of 1995 while he was a member of New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon at the Watch Night Service of Bible Baptist Church in Palmetto, Florida, on December 31, 1995.

 

He was licensed by his Pastor Rev. Cecil T. Washington, Jr., in June of 1996. Upon relocating to New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Harper joined Israel Baptist Church in Harvey, Louisiana, where he served as the Youth Minister. He was ordained in August 1997 by his Pastor, the Reverend Dr. Johnny McKinnies, Sr. Ironically, four months later in December he was elected as the second Pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Palmetto, Florida.

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Walking by faith and trusting in the Lord Dr. Harper left the National Park Service in 1998 and began a Bi-vocational Ministry that included teaching in the Manatee County Public school system. In 2001, Dr. Harper entered graduate school and earned a Masters Degree in Education, with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University in 2003.

 

Dr. Harper continued to faithfully serve as the Pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Palmetto until May 07, 2006, when he began his current assignment and tenure as the seventeenth Pastor of First Baptist Church of West Tampa.

 

In May of 2014, because of his on-going support and contributions to Florida Theological Seminary and Bible College Dr. Harper was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree. In addition, he also serves as the Secretary for the Board of Directors of Florida Seminary.

 

Dr. Harper is currently enrolled in the Doctoral program at Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible in Newburgh, Indiana. Upon the completion of a dissertation he will have met the requirements for the Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Christian Education.

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However, since Dr. Harper’s move to First Baptist Church of West Tampa in 2006 he has been actively engaged in First South Florida Missionary Baptist District Association. As a member of Congress Number Four he served faithfully as the Assistant Dean under Rev. Walter Williams. When Rev. Williams could no longer serve as Dean due to a decline in his health, Dr. Harper became the Dean and Workshop Facilitator.

 

A few years later Dr. Harper was asked to serve as the First Vice-President of the District Congress Sunday School and Baptist Training Union under the leadership of Rev. Remer Baker. As the First Vice-President he was charged with the responsibility of integrating the youth program when the meeting dates for the Congress was changed to June. After serving in this capacity for a period of two years, Dr. Harper was asked to serve as the Third Vice-Moderator under the leadership of Moderator Dr. C. R. Taylor

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At the 128th Annual Session of First South Florida Missionary Baptist District Association Dr. Harper ran as a candidate for the office of Moderator. After the election was held on Thursday, November 12, 2015, Dr. Harper was elected as its 16th Moderator of First South Florida District Association. In addition to serving as Moderator, Dr. Harper was appointed by President Banks as the Chairman for the Education Board of the State Convention (Progressive Missionary and Educational State Convention of Florida, Inc.) and is also a member of the College and Seminary Board for the National Baptist Convention of America, International Incorporation.

 

On a lighter note, Dr. Harper is married to Sis. Jacqueline Harper. The two met in the fall of 1984 in Jackson, Mississippi, while he was a Park Ranger on the Natchez Trace Parkway and she was a Disc Jockey for WJDX.

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"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing" Proverb 18:22

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Jacqueline and Rayford Harper Dr. Harper tells the story that while living in the same apartment complex, one day as he was checking the mail he noticed this young lady checking him out. And ever since that day, he's been checking the mail every day. Six years later, they were married on September 01, 1990, at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Mississippi (the hometown of Sis. Harper). To this union God has blessed them with two sons: Cleveland (born in Topeka, Kansas) Jeremiah (born in Gretna, Louisiana) and Daddy's "Baby-girl" Rebekah (born in Bradenton, Florida).

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