Bishop C. L. Hardy was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He graduated with
honors from the Spartanburg County Public School System and went on to serve in the U.S.
Army. In 1968, he married Lady Cynthia Hardy, and they have two sons, Cedric and Cory.
Bishop Hardy is the Founder of New Covenant Assembly Christian Ministry, where he has
served as pastor for 42 years. He also established the NCA Community Development Center
and the C. L. Hardy Family Life Center in Columbia, South Carolina. His commitment to
education has led him to attend several institutions, including Greenville Technical College,
the University of South Carolina, Columbia International University, the International
Apostolic College, and St. Thomas University. He holds various degrees, including a degree
in Industrial Engineering, as well as a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a Doctor of
Theology, and a Doctor of Divinity. Professionally, Bishop Hardy worked at Michelin Tire
Corporation in Statistical Quality Control and Production Planning, later returning as a
Planning Consultant.
He was an active member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Incorporated (PAW)
for 46 years, serving as Chairman of the Carolina State Council, the South Carolina State
Council, and was a Southeastern Lay Director. He was elevated to the Office of Bishop and
assigned to the Philippines Council. In 2013, Bishop Hardy joined the Apostolic Faith
Fellowship International, Incorporated (AFFI), where he was appointed Diocesan of
Episcopal Districts Four and Ten. The following year, he was elected as the Assistant
Presiding Prelate of the AFFI by Bishop Charles E. Johnson, Sr., and the Board of Bishops.
Throughout his time with the AFFI, Bishop Hardy established and served as the Diocesan for
several other dioceses.
As an author, Bishop Hardy has published six works. He is also a former Chairman of the
BB&T Bank Local Advisory Board (now Truist Financial Bank) and has served on a U.S.
Congressional Minority Advisory Committee. His contributions have been recognized with
“The Order of the Silver Crescent” and “The Order of the Palmetto,” two of the highest civilian
honors awarded in the State of South Carolina. Bishop Hardy’s favorite saying is, “Do what
is right in the eyes of the Lord, even when it does not feel right.”