Rev. Harriett Akins-Banman serves as the minister of Christian formation, which covers the areas of adult Bible Study and Sunday School, older adult ministries, ChristCare and small group ministries, labyrinth ministry, retreat ministry and Forum Studies Series.  A native of Bardstown, Kentucky she graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.A. in broadcasting and theatre, 1985 and received her Masters of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, 1993.  She is an ordained elder and a certified labyrinth facilitator, Disciple Bible Study instructor and ChristCare trainer.  She has served congregations in Blackpool, England; Texas, Kansas and Ohio.  She and her family moved to Little Rock in 2001 and became active participants at PHUMC.  She joined the PHUMC staff in February 2005.

Rev. Harriett is married to Mike Banman; they have one daughter, Madison and they share their home with two orange tabbys, Murray and Casey. She enjoys reading, time with family and friends and travel.  Walking the labyrinth as a form of prayer discipline is very important to her.  She is passionate about sojourning with others as they seek and explore ways to grow in their Christian faith.

Rev. Harriett's favorite book of the Bible is the Psalms, especially Psalm 146. A favorite passage that serve as a compass for her ministry is from Matthew 22:34-40, specifically verses 37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.” And a second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  Her favorite hymns include “Be Thou My Vision” and the older version of the Doxology.