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June 2025

June 23, 2025
in Church, Discipleship, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, Serve Teams
by cefiggins
0 Comments

June 2025 Newsletter

Hello!
It’s been a hot minute!  The first part of this month’s newsletter will be a rapid-fire bulleted list of updates.

  • We wrapped up May with all kinds of end-of-the-year celebrations from teacher appreciation luncheons to handing out lemonade in the parent pick up line at Harvest Ridge.
  • I have been meeting with so many new people, trying to get plugged into serving at Harvester and joining groups. Keep your head on a swivel for new faces and ask our age-old question, “How long have you been attending Harvester?”
  • I also had many of our Local Outreach Crew Leaders over to my house for a time to connect with each other and lean into the idea of honoring Sabbath, Silence, and Solitude. We talked about the need to lead from a position of rest rather than weariness. I encourage you to explore what God’s word says about creating rhythms of rest. I personally really get a lot of studies created by John Mark Comer. Here is a free one through your Right Now Media account called The Sabbath Practice.
  • The Sharing Shed hosted an open house for Harvester on June 21. It was incredible to walk in and see our Harvester folks being the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting the physical needs of our neighbors. You can see some of the pictures of the event down below.

You will remember that Harvester participated in the EWR network this past winter, offering an overnight warming center for our unhoused neighbors. This summer, we are a part of a Cooling Center pilot program. HCC will be on call the weeks of July 6-12, July 27-August 2, August 17-23 and August 24-30 from 12 – 6 p.m. We will be mobilized if the temperature is expected to be over 100 degrees for 2 days in a row. Volunteers will be needed during the day to offer cold drinks, light refreshments, and extend a hospitable hand to our neighbors should they need a cool spot to come to get out of the heat. If you would like to be added to the Cooling Center group to have access to schedule please email me at cfiggins@harvester.cc

Our big push for the summer is to engage as many people as possible with the Good Neighbor Challenge. This is a serving opportunity for the entire church across all campuses to Love God and Love Our Neighbors as a concerted effort of unity, as mentioned in John 17. I encourage you to sign up for the daily texts and join in reading the same scripture, praying the same prayer, and taking on the same daily neighboring challenge as hundreds of other Harvester Christians. Don’t delay signing up to serve with your neighbor, family, co-workers, or small group in at least one of the serving opportunities between July 24 and August 12th.

Included in the Good Neighbor Challenge are all of our Pack A Pack projects. We need to fill 900 backpacks between now and July 27. You can purchase directly from our Amazon Wish List and have items shipped directly to Harvester, or print off this list or pick up one in the worship lobby. Drop off your items in the worship lobby any Sunday between now and July 20. When you scroll through all the serving options at the Good Neighbor Challenge, you will see our typical Pack A Pack events like the Boys and Girls Club Back to School Bashes, weeding and mulching at our local school partners, preparing food to serve for teachers as they return to school but also some new events. We are hosting our first Good Neighbor Market on August 8. For several years, there have been 20-30 families who come directly to the church for their school supplies. But we have never shared the gospel with them. The Good Neighbor Market will be an opportunity for us to share how much God loves these families and then provide a dignified storefront experience for families in need to “shop” for school supplies. Francis Howell has invited us to serve at their immunization clinic on August 12. It is required to go through the FHSD Volunteer Background Check. We need more people to become cleared volunteers to serve with the schools, so I highly recommend going through this process as soon as possible.

Summertime for Local Outreach is always jam-packed. I am hoping you can commit to at least one serving opportunity this summer to receive a a new and fresh blessing from God over your life.

Prayers:

Prayers for our church family to engage and commit to the Good Neighbor Challenge, and that they learn to incorporate serving their neighbors as a lifestyle rather than an event.

Prayers for the families and unhoused neighbors making the choice to trust the church and come to use to help meet their needs. Pray authentic relationships are formed.

Prayers for me because between the Cooling Center and the Good Neighbor Challenge, I have a lot of moving parts to manage. Pray I also, like you, can serve from a place of rest rather than weariness.

 

 

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June 17, 2025
in Alleviation of Poverty, Community Partner, GiveHope, HCC, Local, Outreach
by cefiggins
0 Comments

Community Partner Spotlight: REACH St Charles

This week, we have another installment to spotlight one of our Community Partners and share the impact of HCC members’ generous giving in the community. This week, we are highlighting REACH St Charles. The goal of Reach St. Charles is to connect Our goal is to connect individuals in St. Charles County with resources to address their specific need(s), on a case-by-case basis. REACh St Charles provides food boxes, holiday meal boxes, distribute meals, supplies, and clothing to the homeless, and contact organizations and agencies to help meet various needs as they arise. We are especially proud of REACH St Charles founders, Lisa Davis and Stacey Enders, who are active Harvester Christian members! Read on and pray about how you might support REACH St Charles as they connect to our neighbors in need.
What is one specific way Harvester Christian Church’s GIVE HOPE contributions have unleashed hope in your organization or to the community through your organization?
We have been able to help feed the community members who are facing food insecurity. It’s been rewarding to see how our efforts are making a positive impact, and we’re committed to continuing this vital work.
If Harvester Christians have served at your organization, what impact have they had on the community you serve?
*This summer, we are excited to partner with Harvester volunteers for the first time. We look forward to meeting the families who are experiencing food insecurity and working together to make a difference in their lives. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect and support our community!
Please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church. Specific identifying information is not needed
Here is a great testimony from some of REACH St Charles recipients: First, I want to say thanks to Lisa and Stacey with the Reach St. Charles Program. My name is Dwuan & my wife is Ms. Nancy Session. We are newlyweds from Saint Louis. We have lived here for two years now. Here recently, I fell on hard times, losing my job. We fell short on food, and I reached out to Reach St. Charles, and they were right there for us, providing us with fresh food etc. to help get us by, and I am truly grateful for them. Amen. May God continue to bless them and the Reach St. Charles program.
The Session Family
What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?
*Our deck, which provides access to the second-floor offices and the main entrance, is in poor condition. We would greatly appreciate any individuals with carpentry skills and access to materials who could lend a hand. Your support would make a significant difference in helping us improve this essential area!
Please list any upcoming NON-fundraising events your organization is hosting in the next 90 days. These could be tours, meet n greets, trainings, etc.
We are excited to announce that we are planning to open our market, host PopUp events, 2nd annual Scholarship Program, and kick off Lindenwood Outreach, all leading up to our Grand Opening this fall. We can’t wait to share these initiatives with the community.
What is a future program or project that could benefit from an investment of Harvester Christian GIVE HOPE funds?
The Reach Market is almost complete! We are actively seeking food donations to stock the market, including fresh vegetables, produce, and dairy items. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and would help us provide vital resources to our community.
What is the estimated cost of this future program or project?
Due to the initial stages of launching this program, we are unable to specify an exact funding amount at this time. The financial support needed will largely depend upon us seeking out additional funding sources, such as grants and donations, to cover these costs so that we can assist the number of families in our community experiencing hardship due to economic challenges and societal factors. As we gather more information and assess the specific needs of those we aim to serve, we will be better positioned to determine a more precise figure. Please let us know if you need further clarification.
How can we pray for your organization, staff, volunteers, clients, and community your organization serves?
Please pray that we can find contributors for our market, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. We also ask for prayers for our team, to remain inspired with creative ideas to support our mission. Your prayers mean a lot to us as we work together to make a difference!
What is one thing Harvester Christian can do to improve how we serve your organization?
We truly appreciate your continued support of our initiatives aimed at helping families in need. Your encouragement means so much to us, and together we can make a lasting impact in our community. Thank you for standing with us in this important work!
Any additional thoughts, questions, opinions, comments, or feedback?
We cannot thank you enough for everything you do to support organizations that help make our community a true reflection of the hands and feet of Jesus. Your efforts are instrumental in bringing people closer to Him and fostering a spirit of love and compassion.
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*If you are interested in serving with REACH St Charles during the upcoming Good Neighbor Challenge, you can see all the serving opportunities here===>https://harvester.cc/goodneighbor
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June 12, 2025
in Alleviation of Poverty, Child Welfare, Community Partner, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach
by cefiggins
2 Comments

Pack A Pack 2025 Season has begun!

Our Harvester family always looks forward to Pack A Pack season. This is an annual initiative where Harvester Christians intentionally pray over our local school children whose families struggle to purchase all the school supplies required to help their child experience success in the classroom.

This year, we have a goal of 900 packed backpacks. These backpacks will go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of St Charles County, families at schools right in our backyard, as well as our inaugural Good Neighbor Market where local families will come to the church for a storefront experience to “shop” for their child’s school supplies (more to come on this.)

For now, we need Harvester Christians to pray, shop, share, and serve during this initiative. Below is the generic shopping list you can use to buy 1 item, collect a few others from neighbors, or maybe you will choose to fill a whole backpack. You can drop these supplies in the worship lobby on Sundays. Don’t delay, though! Our first delivery of backpacks is Thursday, July 17! 

Elementary backpacks

  • 1 sturdy book bag
  • 2 plastic folders with pockets and prongs in different colors
  • 1 pencil box
  • 1 wide ruled notebook
  • 2 glue sticks
  • 1 pack of 24-count crayons
  • 1 scissors
  • 1 pack of 12 markers
  • 10   #2 pencils
  • 1 ruler
  • 1 water bottle

Middle/High School backpacks

  • 1 sturdy book bag
  •  5 plastic folders with pockets and prongs in different colors
  •  1 pencil pouch
  •  3 college-ruled notebooks in different colors
  • 10 #2 pencils
  • 2 three three-ring binders
  • 3 highlighters
  •  10 blue or black in pens
  • 1 ruler
  • 1 pack of colored pencils
  • 1 pack of loose-leaf college ruled paper
  • 1 calculator
  • 1 water bottle

 

You can also use our Amazon wish list to choose your donated items and have them sent directly to Harvester St Charles.

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June 6, 2025
in Alleviation of Poverty, GiveHope, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed
by cefiggins
1 Comment

Ministry Partner Spotlight: The Sharing Shed

Halfway through each calendar year, I ask our ministry and community partners to share how your giving has impacted their mission. These partnerships outside the walls of the church meet tangible needs and unleash hope in ways we could never do on our own. Thank you for your continued ongoing generosity to support local outreach efforts like these.

This week, I want to share the responses from The Sharing Shed. The Sharing Shed is a longtime ministry partner with Harvester Christian. Their mission is to meet the needs of those in crisis, together for the glory of God,  as they strive to provide their clients with anything from a bed to sleep on, a sofa to sit on, and a table to eat from. While our HCC  volunteers are there serving each month, their focus is to share love and hope with those they are fortunate enough to serve through The Sharing Shed. After you read through their responses, be sure to comment below with words of encouragement or a prayer for the staff and volunteers at The Sharing Shed.

What is one specific way Harvester Christian Church’s GIVE HOPE contributions have unleashed hope in your organization or to the community through your organization?
We have been incredibly blessed to count Harvester among the very few churches, just two—that support us with consistent financial contributions. Your partnership through Give Hope has truly allowed The Sharing Shed to flourish.
Because of this support, we’ve become a cornerstone for local agencies and churches that rely on us to help families recovering from abuse, mental health challenges, homelessness, and other life transitions. Our role is to provide essential household items that help families move toward independence and sustainable living. Your generosity directly supports these efforts.
Give Hope funding has also made it possible to complete our long-awaited renovations, transforming our space into one that reflects our values—serving families with dignity. The Shed has always been filled with warm, welcoming volunteers, and now, thanks to you, our environment reflects that same warmth and care.
Harvester has become a safety net that helps us stay mission-focused. When we run low on critical items, Give Hope funds allow us to quickly respond and fill the gap—whether it’s bunk beds, mattresses, vacuums, or simple essentials like pillows, sheets, trash cans, or cookie sheets. These items may seem small, but they bring immense comfort, dignity, and stability to the families we serve.
If Harvester Christians have served at your organization, what impact have they had on the community you serve?
The volunteers from Harvester continue to be a vital part of the work we do at The Sharing Shed. Month after month, they show up with compassion, dedication, and a heart for service—bringing hope and dignity to every family they encounter.
Their attention to detail ensures that families not only receive what they need, but feel seen and cared for. Whether it’s helping choose the perfect bed for a child or selecting a kitchen table that makes a house feel like a home, Harvester’s volunteers consistently go above and beyond.
But their service goes deeper than just meeting physical needs. Through prayer, kind words, and genuine encouragement, they pour into each family’s spirit—reminding them that they are not alone and that they matter. Their impact is felt far beyond the moment of service, and we’re deeply grateful for the way they help us carry out our mission with such love and grace.
Please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church. Specific identifying information is not needed.
The impact of the services provided by The Sharing Shed is truly life-changing. Every week, we see firsthand how essential household items can restore dignity, bring hope, and help families move forward. Here are just a few recent stories that show how your support is making a difference: A gentleman who had been homeless for three years recently secured housing and was working to reunite with his three children. He came to us needing everything. We were able to provide him with beds, dressers, living room furniture, a kitchen table and chairs, bedding, bath linens, and all the kitchen essentials he needed. He was overjoyed—not just for the items, but because he could now welcome his children into a real home. He couldn’t wait for them to see the space and feel safe and settled.
We also served a family of four who had recently moved from Cuba. After living with a host family for a year, they finally found a place of their own. The Sharing Shed helped them turn their house into a home with furniture and household essentials. The mother was overwhelmed with gratitude. She said she had never heard of an organization that helps people like this and couldn’t believe the kindness she was receiving from complete strangers. Another mother came to us after escaping an abusive relationship. She was starting over with her two boys and had nothing. Through The Sharing Shed, she was able to furnish their new apartment and meet their basic needs. She told us she had no idea how she was going to provide for her children—and broke down in tears as she realized she finally could. It was a powerful reminder of how far a little help can go in restoring stability and hope. These stories are just a glimpse into the lives that are being changed thanks to Harvester’s continued support. Your generosity is helping families rebuild, recover, and thrive.
What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?
Harvester currently serves at The Sharing Shed on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9-11 AM, helping families in need select furniture and household items. Additional help is also needed for furniture pickups during this time. We’re also excited to offer a new serving opportunity for Harvester’s Young Adult Group! They’ll be serving families on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 6-8 PM, starting in June and July. Whether it’s loading furniture, organizing donations, or offering encouragement to families, these are great ways to make a meaningful impact. We’d love to have you join us! We are also looking for a volunteer to help with our administrative duties, and 2 new team leaders for our warehouse on the first and second Monday nights. Training is required.
Please list any upcoming NON-fundraising events your organization is hosting in the next 90 days. These could be tours, meet n greets, trainings, etc.
The Sharing Shed will be hosting a 10-Year Anniversary and Remodel Celebration on Friday, June 21st, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. This special event will honor our ongoing partnership with Harvester Christian Church and highlight the transformation of our facility. Guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, take guided tours of our newly renovated space, and connect with board members to learn more about how to get involved. We also welcome donations of hygiene items, which will directly benefit the families we serve.
What is a future program or project that could benefit from an investment of Harvester Christian GIVE HOPE funds?
We are currently exploring the option of wrapping our pickup and delivery truck to help increase awareness of our services throughout the community.
What is the estimated cost of this future program or project?
Wrap would cost between $2,000 and $3,000 depending on package option
How can we pray for your organization, staff, volunteers, clients, and the community your organization serves?
We are deeply thankful for your willingness to pray for The Sharing Shed. Your prayers are a vital part of the support that sustains our team, our volunteers, and the families we serve. Please pray for clarity and discernment as we continue to grow. As the needs in our community expand, we are seeking God’s guidance in how to respond faithfully—with the right resources, the right people, and a heart rooted in compassion. Pray for our volunteers and staff—that they would be refreshed, encouraged, and filled with wisdom as they serve. Many carry heavy burdens alongside the families they support, and we ask for strength and joy in their work.
Lift up the families who come through our doors, often in times of deep transition and hardship. Pray that they would experience not only the practical help we provide, but also the love, dignity, and hope that reflect the heart of Christ. Finally, pray that The Sharing Shed would continue to be a light in our community—a place where people feel seen, supported, and uplifted, and where God’s love is evident in every interaction. We’re so grateful to know we are being covered in prayer as we continue this important work.
What is one thing Harvester Christian can do to improve how we serve your organization?
Harvester Christian continues to be a tremendous blessing to The Sharing Shed. Your volunteers consistently show up eager to serve, and they do so with kindness, flexibility, and compassion toward our clients. Your leadership—especially through Lisa and now Stephanie with the young adult group—has been outstanding. Communication has been clear and supportive, and we feel truly cared for. At this time, we honestly can’t think of anything you need to do differently. Just continuing to walk alongside us with the same heart and commitment means the world. Thank you for being such a faithful and valued partner in this ministry.
Any additional thoughts, questions, opinions, comments, or feedback?
We cannot thank you enough for your support! It has been such a blessing.
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June 5, 2025
in Church, DTOTD, Jesus
by cefiggins
0 Comments

A Contemplative Time to Focus On God’s Holiness.

Lauren McCleester, our Media Arts Pastor led us in this contemplative time during our Staff Chapel on June 3. I was so impacted by  how the Holy Spirit ministered to me during this time that I really wanted to share it with you. Make some time, pull up a chair for God, and rest in these beautiful truths.

 

Staff Chapel Tuesday June 3, 2025 

Lauren McCleester 

Adapted from Lectio Divina 365 

 

PRAY 

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may be holy.  
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work may be holy. 
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, to love what is holy. 

 

READ | Psalm 65:9-11 

9 You visit the earth and water it
    you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
    you provide their grain,
    for so you have prepared it.
10 You water its furrows abundantly,
    settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
    and blessing its growth.
11 You crown the year with your bounty;
    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. 

 

PAUSE AND BREATHE 

 

READ | 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, 

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.” 

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  

We often fall into the trap of scarcity — believing there’s not enough time, energy, money, or attention. And most days, we feel like we have the evidence to prove it, even if it’s a lie. But Paul reminds us of a better and truer story. Everything we hoard in fear of losing eventually withers, but whatever we sow — surrendered to the grace of God’s leading — multiplies and bears fruit beyond what we can see. Nothing we give to God is wasted. 

Where do you feel tempted to have a scarcity mindset in your life right now? Write your thoughts or a prayer to God.  

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

PRAY 

Lord, free me from the lies that pull me away from confidence in you and your ability to provide. Turn my heart and mind back to your faithfulness and nurturing presence in my life. 

 

READ 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 again, as you do, look for a particular word or phrase that the Holy Spirit seems to be highlighting to you today.  

 

REFLECT: Take a moment to reflect now on any word or phrase that the Holy Spirit is highlighting: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

When I try to manufacture peace, purpose, and provision, I place myself where only God belongs. He is the source of all that is good in my life — the well that never runs dry, the vine that never withers. I am not required to be enough, only to remain in the One who is. Everything I need flows from him: strength for today, and grace for tomorrow. 

 

PRAY 

Father, remind me I’m not the source — you are.  

Give me open hands and a willing heart.   

Let my giving be full of joy, my living full of praise, and my life a testimony to your endless generosity. 

 

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From the HCC Outreach Team:

Thanks so much for stopping by the Harvester Christian Church Outreach Team’s blog! We hope you find this resource helpful, insightful and encouraging as we strive to Unleash the Hope of Jesus back into our world!

This resource belongs to Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Mo.