LAKELAND – Since he first took to the pulpit in 1961, the Rev. Alex Harper not only served his congregation faithfully, but encouraged faithfulness and the love of God to communities throughout Lakeland.
And through words of advice, wisdom, spiritual guidance and consolation, Harper’s positive impacts will continue to reverberate across Polk County, Central Florida and beyond for many more years.
Harper was the senior pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church in Lakeland from 1997 to 2024. Although he died Jan. 22 at 88 – a month before his 89th birthday – people who knew him said his legacy for “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you” will live on through his commitment to community and genuine love for people in general.
“He didn’t just preach the word, he actually lived the word of God,” said former Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields. “He was a deep believer, as God pointed out…people need to see the love of Christ in action out of the church. He understood while there may be politics in action, Christians had a role to play in exposing Christ’s life for all mankind, while also pursuing justice for all of his children.”