Dr. J. T. Harless

Dr. J. T. Harless is a lead pastor, theologian, church leadership scholar, and certified life coach passionate about equipping the church and its leaders to integrate faith, wisdom, and practical strategies for transformational impact. He holds a PhD in Church Leadership, a DMIN in expository and evangelistic preaching and a ThM in Biblical Studies, with dual master’s degrees in Divinity (MDiv) and Religion in Church Ministries (MAR). This unique blend of advanced theological study and leadership training positions him as both a thought leader in Christian theology and a recognized authority in leadership development.

Dr. Harless has dedicated his career to empowering churches, pastors, ministry teams, and organizational leaders to navigate change, build healthy systems, revitalize, and lead with integrity. His certification as a professional life coach enhances his ability to help individuals and organizations unlock potential, clarify vision, and achieve sustainable growth. Whether preaching, teaching, writing, or coaching, Dr. Harless brings clarity, depth, and inspiration to those he serves.

Through his work, he continues to bridge the gap between biblical truth and practical leadership, helping leaders not only succeed but also flourish in their calling.

Dr. Harless is a husband to his wonderful, change agent wife Rachel for over 20 years (who is a gifted SPED educator). He is also a father of 3. His oldest is a freshmen in college, another is in middle school and his youngest in elementary school (pray for him). 

He is ordained and has been in full time ministry for over 20 years and is a lead pastor, author, certified life coach and former adjunct professor who has delivered inspiring messages at teen camps, evangelistic and men's conferences as well as retreats across the nation. He has also spoken at crusades as far away as Africa and India, seeing many coming to a saving faith in Jesus. He has also sat on state youth evangelism boards for the SBC. 

You can check pastor Thad out in real time at Real Life Church (tab above), a inner city urban church, that Chases God, Lives Sent, and ministers as a body of Christ that is ethnically and socio-economically diverse to the glory of God!

In leadership efforts and within his academic tenure as an adjunct professor, Dr. Harless has mentored, taught and coached leaders all over the United States and as far away as Australia. He has chaired dissertation committees on leadership, taught numerous leadership classes as well as critical issues in ministry courses.

Theologically Dr. Harless has been published in theological journals (Aletheias: Journal of Biblical Studies, Theology and Ministry/Journal of International Society of Christian Apologetics) and has presented at the Evangelical Theological Society. His published efforts focus on origins apologetics and evangelism.

He is also a very former competitive powerlifter who consistently injures himself believing that he is still in his mid-thirties. His wife does not feel sorry for him.