RPB Native Returns To Start New Church

The Rev. Lee Michele Harvin-Sapp has returned to Royal Palm Beach to plant her first church, the Shepherd’s Heart AME Church.

Sapp grew up in Royal Palm Beach along with her younger brother, Kevin M. Harvin, for whom the Kevin M. Harvin Center on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. is named. She met and married her husband of 25 years, Forrest Sapp of Jupiter, and moved to his hometown.

Since becoming an adult and leaving Royal Palm Beach, Sapp has adopted six children. She is an entrepreneur and has owned and operated Transcripts by Sapp for the last 15 years. She is the author of The Pastor June Murder Mysteries, which she describes as Christian fiction for grown folks. Sapp earned her master’s of divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary.

The launch of worship services took place on June 29 at Royal Palm Beach High School. The evening prayer service and dinner celebration was attended by more than 50 local and district church pastors, including the presiding bishop of the 11th Episcopal District of the AME Church.

The Shepherd’s Heart meets weekly on Sundays at 11 a.m. at Royal Palm Beach High School.

ABOVE: Rev. Lee Michele Harvin-Sapp