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Author: cefiggins

July 30, 2026

in Uncategorized, Upcoming Events

by cefiggins

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Developing a Rhythm of Serving: July HCC Local Outreach Newsletter

Developing a Rhythm of Serving

Scripture: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (ESV)

Most of us understand that serving is a good thing. We volunteer for a project, help a neighbor move, or give our time during a church event. Those moments matter—but God invites us into something even deeper. He isn’t just asking us to serve occasionally; He’s shaping us into people who naturally live lives of service. Just like prayer, Bible reading, silence, solitude, and worship become rhythms that draw us closer to Jesus, serving is a spiritual practice that transforms our hearts. Every time we choose to love a neighbor, meet a practical need, or offer our gifts for God’s Kingdom, we become a little more like Christ. Jesus didn’t fit serving into His schedule. Serving was His lifestyle. Everywhere He went, He noticed people, showed compassion, and met needs. As His followers, we’re invited to develop that same rhythm—not out of obligation, but out of love. When serving becomes part of our regular rhythm, something beautiful happens. We begin to see our neighborhoods differently. We recognize opportunities instead of interruptions. We discover that God uses ordinary acts of kindness to open doors for extraordinary conversations about His love. At Harvester, we say we want to unleash the hope of Jesus. Hope is unleashed when the Church steps beyond its walls and into the lives of people who need to experience God’s love in tangible ways. A consistent rhythm of volunteering isn’t just about filling a schedule—it’s about participating in God’s mission of bringing hope to our community.

Ask yourself:

Where is God inviting me to make serving a regular rhythm instead of an occasional event?
Who is one neighbor I can intentionally love this week?
How might God use my willingness to serve to point someone toward Jesus?

Prayer

Hey God, thank You for showing us what it means to serve with humility and love. Shape my heart to become more like Yours. Help serving become a natural rhythm of my life, not just something I do occasionally. Open my eyes to the needs around me, and use my hands, my time, and my gifts to unleash Your hope in my neighborhood and community. May every act of service point people to You. Amen.

What are our next steps after Good Neighbor Serve Week?

At Harvester Christian, serving consistently and regularly is a part of each of our spiritual development. It is not an annual checklist to cross off. Rather, it is a regular rhythm: the more we encounter Jesus, become like Jesus, and unleash the hope of Jesus. Whether you were able to serve or not during Good Neighbor Serve Week, what are some possible next steps for you? One step might be to attend our next prayer retreat. This might be a great way for you to spend time with God and have a conversation with Him about where He is leading you next. The Invitation to Retreat is a free prayer retreat on August 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. in Laurel Park. Perhaps you want to learn about more serving opportunities at Harvester. The VIP Tour on August 23 during 1st or 2nd service is a great next step to learn an overview of every ministry at Harvester. Another possibility for you is to sign up for our next course, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, starting September 9th in the Elementary Auditorium from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Over 9 weeks, this course will take a deeper look at how your emotional health affects your spiritual health. If you are ready to get more involved in Local Outreach Serving Opportunities, check them out below under Upcoming Events. If you served during Good Neighbor Serve Week be sure to complete this evaluation form to help our planning and execution for next year.

Upcoming Local Outreach Serving Opportunities

August Events

August 2-8, and August 30- September 5, Cooling Center in Annex. Volunteers are needed to be on call to host the Cooling Center for our unhoused neighbors if a heat advisory is issued next week. Shifts are 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m and 2:00 p.m. -5;00 p.m. Three volunteers are needed for each shift, and they must be a mix of men and women. Volunteers serve as hosts for our neighbors, offering light snacks and cold drinks and typical conversation and fellowship. Click this link to see open shifts.

August 4, Hospitality Volunteers for Elections. HCC hosts two polling sites for each election. This is a great opportunity for us to be hospitable to our literal neighbors. Volunteers are needed to greet guests, hold open doors, and offer a snack and a bottle of water as they leave. Shifts begin at 6:30 a.m. and run every two hours. 2-4 volunteers are needed at the South and North Entrances. Click this link to see open shifts.

August 6, Harvest Ridge Back To School Bash: It’s time for back-to-school events again! Our first one will be at Harvest Ridge Elementary, located at 1220 Harvest Ridge Dr, Saint Charles, MO 63303. Volunteers are needed from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to help set up, serve refreshments, assist in games, and encourage the students, families, and teachers. Click this link to sign up.

August 11, Habitat for Humanity Informational Meeting. Join us on August 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the HCC Chapel to learn more about At Home Missions and how you might join one the St Charles County Church Build Days on September 18-19. RSVP using this link by August 7.

August 15, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & August 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Sharing Shed. The Sharing Shed is located at 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO 63366. It provides furniture and household goods to families experiencing poverty, recovering from fire/flood, or rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Our Sharing Shed crews are serving twice in August to help families in need find household items as well as receive donations, clean donations, and organize donations. Click this link to sign up for 8/15. Click this link to sign up for 8/19.

August 18, HCC Blood Drive. Volunteers AND Donors are needed for our Blood Drive on August 18 from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Volunteers just greet donors, offer a snack after a donation, and help clean. We have a goal of 20 units of blood, so drop in on August 18 to help save a neighbor’s life! Click this link to sign up

August 18, Becky David Elementary Spruce Up, We are sending volunteers to help get our neighbors down the street at Becky David Elementary ready for the new school year by weeding and mulching the campus. Becky David is located at 1155 Jungs Station Rd
Saint Charles, MO 63303. Volunteers arrive at 7:00 p.m. with work gloves, any gardening or landscaping tools, shovels, and rakes. If you have a wheelbarrow, please bring that along too! Click this link to sign up

August 21, Becky David Welcome Back The Teachers Breakfast. Volunteers are needed to set up and serve a yogurt and bagel bar for the teachers and staff at Becky David Elementary. Volunteers need to arrive at Becky David by 7:30 a.m. and stay until 10:30 a.m. to help clean up. Click here to sign up.

Ongoing serving email Carissa to learn about these serving opportunities cfiggins@harvester.cc

HCC Food Pantry
Broken & Beautiful Pen Pal Ministry
Good Neighbor Serve Team

September Events

September 2, School Outreach Pray & Prep. The first Wednesday night of every month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we pray over our schools, students, teachers, and administrators in the Annex workroom. After we pray we write cards of encouragement and assemble simple appreciation gifts. Click this link to RSVP

<squeal with me> Carissa is in Athens visiting our Global Partner September 4-11! 🙂

September 16, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. & September 19, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Sharing Shed. The Sharing Shed is located at 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO 63366. It provides furniture and household goods to families experiencing poverty, recovering from fire/flood, or rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Our Sharing Shed crews are serving twice in September to help families in need find household items as well as receive donations, clean donations, and organize donations. Click this link to sign up for 8/15. Click this link to sign up for 9/19.

September 19, Gateway Faith & Work SURRENDERED Symposium HCC St Charles is hosting Gateway Faith and Work’s annual one-day conference! What happens when our work, resources, and ambitions are fully surrendered to God? Join Christian professionals from across the region for a day of learning and fellowship as we explore stewardship, productivity, technology, and more through the lens of a biblical worldview. Scholarships available for college age and young professionals. Click this link to register.

Prayers

Pray for 8 families to commit to driving once a month 1-4 women living at Rise Up Transitional to church on Sundays and Celebrate Recovery on Monday nights
Pray for the families coming to HCC to receive food, a cool spot from the heat, school supplies, or financial assistance to consider attending Harvester this fall so they can hear the Good News.
Pray for 6 people to commit to tutoring third graders in math at Central Elementary School, 1- 2 hours a week during the school day for 6 weeks beginning in September
Pray for people to commit to serving with our specific School Outreach teams at Becky David, Barnwell, Harvest Ridge, Hackmann Rd, and FHSD Parents As Teachers
Pray for opportunities for our school outreach volunteers to be in schools focused on presence and not just events or tasks.
Pray for God to move through and sustain each of our ministry and community partners
Pray that all of Harvester Christian continues the momentum of Good Neighbor Serve Week to intentionally share the love of Jesus with as many people as possible.

June 26, 2026

in Uncategorized, Upcoming Events

by cefiggins

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June 2026 HCC STC Local Outreach Newsletter

Devotional: “Is the point the thing?”

The people who have that laser focus to” get the thing done” and get things done quickly have always made me a bit nervous. I usually feel like I am in the way. I definitely don’t feel the sense of urgency, and I know in my own case, everything to try to do things too quickly, something bad typically happens, either I get hurt, or something gets broken. When our priority is to get the thing done, it leaves very little time for discussion and conversation.

My prayer for Good Neighbor Serve Week is for Harvester Christians to look past the description of “getting the thing done. “ Yes, there are meaningful tasks to complete to aid our neighbors, ministry partners, and community partners. Yes, the tasks in the serving opportunity help us build community and encourage one another. But in the larger picture, our obedience to serve and our sacrifice of time to God position us to have discussions with people we may never have had the chance to encounter before. The point isn’t “the thing” we are doing but the people we are reaching in the name of Jesus.

Join me in praying for God to create divine appointments for each person who commits to serve during Good Neighbor Serve Week, to unleash the hope of Jesus to passersby, to someone they are serving with, to a community or ministry partner staff person, or to a client of a program.

Read 1 Peter 3:15

Reflect:

When people observe my life, do they see a hope in Christ that would make them curious enough to ask about it?
Reflect on whether your attitudes, words, and actions point others to Jesus and demonstrate the hope you have in Him.
How can I prepare to share why I trust Christ, and communicate that truth with gentleness and respect?

Pray

Hey God, as I prepare to serve my neighbors during Good Neighbor Serve Week, help me reflect Your love in all we do. Open my eyes to opportunities to encourage others and share the hope I have in Jesus.

Give me courage to speak when the time is right, wisdom to listen well, and a heart that is full of kindness and grace. Lord, it is my desire to lead people to find and follow you.

Use our entire church to be a blessing in our community, and prepare the hearts of those we meet to experience Your love.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

SELAH Silent Prayer Practice
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
6:00 – 9:00 pm
St. Charles Campus
This is a FREE Event
Click to Register: SELAH Prayer Retreat

Sometimes we just need a break from the constant noise of life—a chance to slow down, breathe, and simply be with God. This evening invites you to slow down, quiet your heart, and become more aware of God’s presence.

We’ll spend our time together practicing silence—not as something awkward, but as a way of listening. Through simple prayer prompts, guided moments of reflection, and unhurried time with God, you’ll be encouraged to release distractions, receive peace, and respond to the Spirit’s gentle leading. Whether you’re new to contemplative prayer or have practiced it for years, you’re invited to come and engage at your own pace.
Contact Maria Roth at mroth@harvester.cc with any questions.

Good Neighbor Serve Week July 13-18

There are so many places to serve during Good Neighbor Serve Week. You can read full descriptions of each serve opportunity by clicking here ==> https://harvesterccoutreach.org/ Registration is filling up, so now is the time to commit and sign up here ==> Good Neighbor Serve Week Registration. You can also sign up to serve in the Worship Lobby starting June 21, where you can grab a Good Neighbor t-shirt to wear while you serve. But if this week doesn’t work for your family, or you are out of town, it doesn’t mean you can’t serve where you are. Click here ==> to check out this list of ways to serve whomever and wherever for the opportunity to unleash hope wherever you might be.

Annual Pack A Pack Drive

Starts June 28th

HCC, you always show up big for our annual school supply drive! This year, HCC St Charles is collecting 200 backpacks for the Boys and Girls Club St Charles Unit Back to School Bash, as well as supplies for families who will come directly to our campus for the Good Neighbor Market. At the Good Neighbor Market, our neighbors will hear the gospel and an invitation to HCC Children and Student Ministry, then “shop” for free school supplies with personal shoppers. The children will experience a fun, uplifting event that helps preserve their dignity, featuring crafts, a photo booth, a visit with Officer Schue and Milly, the therapy dog, and a free Kona Ice. Please bring your Pack A Pack donations to the Mission Cafe between June 28 and July 12. You can also use our Amazon wish list and have your items shipped directly to our campus using this link ==> Pack A Pack Wishlist 2026

Upcoming Serving Events

We are super excited that you can now find all scheduled Local Outreach serving events on the Harvester website by clicking HERE. You can also find them through this monthly newsletter on the Local Outreach blog, the HCC St Charles Local Outreach Facebook group, and the Harvester app. Always feel free to schedule one on one time with me using this link to my calendar.

Good Neighbor Serve Week

July 13-18

Read full description of serving opportunities here ==> https://harvesterccoutreach.org/

The Sharing Shed

Saturday, July 18, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

*Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

*Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

*Note the change from fourth Wednesday nights to third Wednesday nights

School Outreach

Backpack Delivery to Boys and Girls Club St Charles, Thursday, July 23, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Boys and Girls Club St Charles Back to School Bash Saturday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Good Neighbor Market Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

EWR Cooling Center

On call August 2-8 and August 30- September 5, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Hospitality Volunteers Election Polling Place Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Two-hour shifts suggested.

Hospitality Volunteers needed for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Tuesday, August 18, 9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Two-hour shifts suggested.

Prayer List

Pray for 8 Harvester families to commit to driving 4 women living at Rise Up Transitional to church on Sundays or Celebrate Recovery on Monday nights
Pray for the children receiving backpacks, that God would use those tangible items to spark curiosity about who He is.
Pray for doors to open at our local schools so we can build relationships with children and families.
Pray for God to provide affordable, attainable, safe housing for our neighbors in need in St. Charles County.
Pray Harvester will walk together as ONE with diverse others in a manner worthy of the calling with which He has called us (Ephesians 4:1)

June 11, 2026

in DTOTD

by cefiggins

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The Towel and the Apron: Becoming Who We Follow

Scripture Reading:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

We talk a lot about spiritual growth. We pray for it, we study the Bible for it, we take courses on it, and we gather on Sundays, hoping to take another step closer to looking like Jesus. But if we are honest, it is easy to treat spiritual maturity like an intellectual pursuit—something that happens entirely inside our own heads or within the safe walls of our church community.

But if you look at the life of Jesus, his maturity didn’t look like a closed-door study group. It looked like a towel wrapped around his waist, washing dusty feet. It looked like breaking bread with people society had written off. It looked like intentional, boundary-crossing relationships with people who were culturally, socially, and religiously different from Him.

At Harvester Christian Church, our vision isn’t just to know about Jesus; it’s to encounter Him so we can become like Him to unleash His hope in our community. And one of the most direct, challenging, and beautiful pathways to that transformation runs straight through our changing neighborhoods.

Expanding Our Definition of “Neighbor”

When Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story specifically designed to shock his listeners by making a cultural and religious outsider the hero.

Today, God is bringing the nations to our doorstep. Kevin Hamilton and I met with All Nations this week, whose goal is to create opportunities for followers of Jesus to develop personal relationships with refugees and immigrants, showing the love of Christ. All Nations shared data showing that the largest share of immigrants and refugees in the 63303 zip code is from India, Mexico, and China. Our neighborhoods are increasingly filled with people who may not look like us, speak our native language, or share our cultural background. Some have traveled across the globe or fled difficult circumstances to find a home here.

When we step out to serve these neighbors, our spiritual formation hits hyperdrive:

We trade comfort for compassion: It is easy to serve people who are just like us. But when we stretch across language barriers and cultural differences, we mimic the radical hospitality of God, who crossed the ultimate divide to reach us.
We practice humility: Serving someone from another country, culture, or value system requires us to listen first, learn their stories, and lay down our assumptions.
We see the image of God in diversity: Every single person walking the Earth today reflects a unique facet of God’s creativity. By engaging with different communities, our view of God grows larger and more vibrant.

Serving as a Bridge to the Gospel

We don’t serve simply to check a good deed off a list, nor do we treat people as transactional projects. We serve to build genuine relationships.

Jesus’ ministry often followed a beautiful pattern: He met practical, tangible needs, built authentic relationships, and always invited people into the Kingdom of God. He did not stop at the humanitarian level. He loved people so much that he always shared hope. Our service opens doors that words alone cannot. When we help a newcomer navigate a new city, assist with English practice, say hello in a park, or simply share a meal, we earn the right to be heard.

Relationship-based evangelism isn’t about having all the answers or slick arguments. It’s about letting the love of Christ flow through your actions so naturally that it sparks a conversation. When our neighbors see the church serving them without strings attached, it puzzles them in the best way possible, prompting them to ask why we care. And that is exactly when we get to share the hope of Jesus.

Taking It to the Streets

The HCC family knows that our mission field is from the QT on Jungermann to the Middle East. It’s the baseball fields in Cottleville to Ethiopia. It is my neighbor down the street in St. Peter to our neighbors in Athens. You just need to open your eyes to the mission field right outside your front door.

This week, ask God to break any fear of the unfamiliar in your heart. Look for opportunities at Harvester or in your daily routine to connect with someone from a different background. A smile, a shared meal, or a helping hand can be the first step in a relationship that changes a life for eternity.

Reflection & Discussion Questions

Reflect: Think about your current daily routine. Do you naturally interact with people who don’t look or speak like you? How can you intentionally expand your circles?
Identify: What are some common barriers (fear, language, awkwardness) that hold us back from building relationships with any of our neighbors, whether they are from other countries or not? How can Christ’s love help us overcome them?
Commit: What is one practical way you can build a relationship with a neighbor this week (e.g., inviting someone over for coffee, volunteering with a local refugee or international ministry, or simply introducing yourself to someone new)?

Prayer:

Jesus, your heart is for every tribe, tongue, and nation. Forgive us for the times we stay in our comfort zones and serve only those like us. Give us the courage to cross cultural boundaries, the humility to learn from others, and the love required to build lasting friendships. Use our service to build bridges of trust, so that we might have the privilege of sharing your Gospel with our neighbors. Amen.

June 1, 2026

in Uncategorized, Upcoming Events

by cefiggins

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May 2026 Newsletter

Unleashing Hope:

HCC-St. Charles Local Outreach

May Update

Hello, Harvester Church Family!

As the spring weather warms up, our opportunities to show up and build trustworthy relationships in St. Charles County are heating up too. Our dream has always been for Harvester Christians to love God and love their neighbors naturally as a lifestyle, rather than just waiting for events and programming. This summer, let’s look at how we can carry the hope of Jesus into our everyday spaces, prepare for a massive summer of serving, and remain rooted in our discipleship foundation.

Devotional: Showing Up and Showing Up Again and Again and Again

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8

In Local Outreach, our core strategy is simple but requires radical commitment: We show up, and we show up again, and again, and again.

When we meet the tangible, physical needs of our community—whether that’s through the Food Pantry on Tuesday mornings, sorting furniture with the Sharing Shed, or packing school backpacks—we aren’t just checking off a volunteer box. We are earning the right to be heard as followers of Christ, not as humanitarian aid workers.

Our neighbors who are fighting poverty, navigating child welfare systems, or seeking mental health support need more than a one-time transaction; they need a relationship. Our teachers in our schools must be more than teachers in this age. They are social workers, mental health crisis counselors, and Supreme Court-level negotiators. This month, look at your “Jerusalem” (your neighborhood, your local grocery store, your sideline, your workplace). Where is the Holy Spirit calling you to show up consistently so that you can earn the right to share Christ’s life-changing love? Where do you need to take a step of faith and not wait for the perfect time or the perfect relationship or the perfect situation to share the hope of Jesus?

Reminders from Discipleship Training

For those who have walked through our recent discipleship training, the summer months are the ultimate testing ground for what we’ve learned. Let’s keep these three core principles at the front of our minds this month:

Move from Event to Lifestyle: True disciples don’t just participate in a service project; they live on mission. Watch for the needs around you daily. Discipleship is not only conversion. The lifestyle is our willingness to be discipled by Jesus, to walk and learn from him. Then discipling others, whether in our families, small groups, neighbors, or serve teams, to walk and learn from Jesus as well.
The Power of the Simple Question: As you see new faces in our community and at the St. Charles campus, keep our age-old question ready: “How long have you been attending Harvester?” It’s the easiest way to break the ice and start a real connection. Take some time and practice the Art of Small Talk to build relationships.
Serve from Rest, Not Weariness: We cannot pour out what we aren’t taking in. Prioritize your personal time with Jesus so your service comes from a place of spiritual overflow.

Speaking of showing up again and again! HUGE Shoutout to our Food Backpack Packing Crews. From January of this year to the middle of May, this crew packed and delivered approximately 2040 food backpacks for local school children experiencing food insecurity. Thank you to our Crew Leaders, Shelly Swart and Susan Nash, for your countless hours of leadership, coordination, and communication to the schools and to the volunteers! We also want to thank our Food Pantry volunteers, who are more reliable than the USPS used to be. It can be 20 below our 2000 degrees, and these volunteers show up week after week with joy and hope and beautiful servant hearts!

HCC Food Pantry Need: Canned meals such as Beefaroni, Beef Stew, Ravioli, etc. These can be dropped off in the bin outside the South Entrance or placed in the collection bin in the Mission Cafe.

Mark Your Calendars: Good Neighbor Serve Week is Coming in July!

Our biggest outreach push of the summer is right around the corner. Get ready for Good Neighbor Serve Week, July 13-18!

This is an incredible, all-church, all-campus effort to unleash the hope of Jesus across our communities. We will partner with local municipalities, support our community and ministry partners, and tackle Pack A Pack to provide 300+ local students with school supplies before the new school year starts.

Whether you serve with your family, your small group, or your co-workers, make sure to save the date. Pray for God to lead you where He wants you to use your gifts and talents to serve your neighbors, then check out all the serving opportunities by clicking here==> Good Neighbor Serve Week 2026. Register as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your FREE Good Neighbor Serve T-shirt! There will be an opportunity for everyone to play a part in being good neighbors and in unleashing the hope of Jesus!

Pack A Pack Collection

Our Annual Pack A Pack Collection will run from June 28 through July 12 in the Mission Cafe. Drop off a complete backpack or any of the items needed. These school supplies will be used for the Boys and Girls Club St Charles Back to School Bash on July 25, as well as the Good Neighbor Market on July 30th. The shopping list is below, or you can pick one up in the Mission Cafe beginning June 28. An easy peasy way to shop is our Amazon wish list that you can find by clicking here==> 2026 Pack A Pack School Supply Drive

NEW THIS YEAR: If you plan to serve as a Pack A Pack volunteer, check with Jillian Hohensee, our Ministry Coordinator, to make sure you have an up-to-date HCC background check to serve with children who will also be serving in this ministry.

Upcoming Serving Opportunities

Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The Sharing Shed

Wednesday, June 24, 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. The Sharing Shed

Sunday, June 28- July 12 Pack A Pack Collection in the Mission Cafe. Choose your shift here==> Pack A Pack Collection Volunteer

July 13-18 Click here for full descriptions ==> Good Neighbor Serve Week

Wednesday, July 22, 6:00 -8:00 p.m. The Sharing Shed

Saturday, July 25, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP==> Boys & Girls Club- St Charles Unit Back to School Bash

Thursday, July 30 Click here to RSVP==>Good Neighbor Market

May Prayer Prompts

Please join us in lifting up these specific requests for our local community and outreach ministries this month:

For Hearts of Service: Pray that our church family expands their vision of neighboring—moving from seeing service as a calendar event to adopting it as a daily lifestyle.
For Our Vulnerable Neighbors: Pray for the unhoused individuals, families utilizing our Food Pantry, and single parents in St. Charles County. Pray that as they interact with Harvester, they feel safe, dignified, and deeply loved by God.
For the Logistics & Leaders: Pray for our Local Outreach Crew Leaders as they manage the moving parts of the upcoming heavy preparation for Good Neighbor Serve Week. Pray for endurance, wisdom, and joy. Pray for more HCC members to answer the call to lead a one-time Good Neighbor Serving Opportunity.

May 18, 2026

in Outreach

by cefiggins

0 Comments

Powerful Acts of Being A Good Neighbor

Sometimes it is the simple, small acts that make the biggest difference. Below are a few examples of what these acts of service and acts of neighborliness may look like. We encourage you to pick one and see what happens as doors open and new conversations begin simply because you showed up to unleash hope. These are just a few examples. There are many ways to love your neighbors well. When people ask why you are doing this simply tell them that God loves you and that is reason enough to want to love them. If your neighbors turn down your offer, don’t worry. You are being obedient to the greatest command no matter what. Before any activity pray God will use these acts for His glory and trust that is what will happen.

Read a good book about neighboring to get you inspired. Try Dave Runyon’s book, “The Art of Neighboring.”

Read Melody Warnick’s book, “This Is Where You Belong” and try out one of her ideas for learning to love where you live.

Make a post of chili, soup or cookies and share… take some of your homemade treats to a neighbor and simply tell them you were thinking about them and wanted to bless them today.

Beautify a corner of your neighborhood, plant flowers, help to clean, and pick up trash. If planting flowers, pot some and share.

Do a family or group “Care Scavenger Hunt” to find ways of encouraging people in a define time frame. Then come back to share stories.

Visit a local school, first responders location or hospital and take a thank you package to show appreciation for all they do for our community

Put $20 cash or a gift card in your pocket specifically for the purpose of helping someone. Pray for wisdom in knowing who it should go to on that day.

Reach out to old friends and tell them you would like to commit to praying for them at a certain time each day of the week for a month.

Purchase a gift card to a local fast food restaurant. Use it to pay for someone’s meal or item unexpectedly.

Write notes of encouragement and share them. They can be anonymous or not.

Babysit for free for an evening so a couple can go out that rarely has the chance.

Text 10 people and share something with them that you appreciate about them

Make a busy bag for a family that has young children

Keep water, socks, granola bars in your car to share in the moment when you see a need.

Organize a prayer box in your neighborhood. This is a simply a place for people to drop off a prayer at anytime and know it will be prayed for.

Give an overly generous tip

Give out pre-paid card or quarters at a local laundromat

Join CarePortal to learn how to respond to a need on the spot with a simple database notification. https://www.careportal.org/

Leave a gift care with the check out clerk to be used for the next person in line (groceries, restaurant, gas station, etc)

Offer a helping hand to rake a neighbor’s law, clean rain gutters

Give thank you cards to those in your neighborhood who contribute in big and small ways.

Find out who served in the Armed forces in your neighborhood and brainstorm something you could do that would show appreciation for them service.

Host “Sunday Sundaes”. Invite your neighbors over for sundaes on a Sunday.

Offer to walk your neighbors dog(s). They might welcome the break and you might have a chance to meet more neighbors.

Bring cut flowers to a shut-in in your neighborhood.

Start a neighborhood garden and bring the produce to your neighbors. You might want to put it in the front yard, so the neighbors watch the vegetables and flowers grow.

Start a neighborhood lending library. You can build a book box on a pole for the neighborhood or in a public place in your apartment building.

Look for needs in the neighborhood and ask if you can lend a hand.

Host a neighborhood book club. You can host in your house, garage, or a local space like the library, community center, or a church basement.

Go for a walk and bring a small trash bag to pick up trash along the sidewalk.

Use sidewalk chalk to write an inspiring message on the sidewalk in front of your home.

Ask an elderly neighbor or parent with young children if you can pick up items for them while you’re at the store.

Compliment a neighbor on a feature of their home or garden.

Make yourself available by spending more time in the front yard.

Host a garage sale with special discounts for your neighbors.

Organize a blitz neighborhood cleanup.

Leave a bottle of bubbles, flowers, or a coloring book on the neighbor’s doorstep.

Ask a neighbor if there’s a chore you can help them do.

Set up a reverse lemonade stand with free drinks for neighbors.

Host a weekly or monthly coffee bar in your garage for the neighborhood to gather people and get acquainted.

Go to a library event featuring a local author or speaker. Invite a neighbor to go with you.

Join your local HOA or neighborhood association. Or, if you can’t lead, find ways to support and thank them for their efforts.

Offer to teach a skill you have to local neighbors. Skills like baking, writing, public speaking, budgeting, sewing, water color, and fixing a lawn mower are just a few ideas of skills many people (including young people) would love to learn.

May 13, 2026

in Volunteer Spotlight

by cefiggins

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Volunteer Spotlight: Lance Rogers

Welcome back to the Harvester Christian Church Outreach blog! In today’s Volunteer Spotlight, we are highlighting Lance Rogers who serves The Sparrow’s Nest.

The Sparrow’s Nest is a Christ-centered ministry that comes alongside young families to educate, equip, and empower both parents and children. Through its Children’s Center, The Sparrow’s Nest provides no- to low-cost, high-quality childcare in a safe and nurturing environment along with intentional family support. Children receive early intervention, developmental assessments, and age-appropriate therapeutic activities that support healthy development. The ministry also offers a Parent Participation program where parents engage in weekly programming that may include case management, parenting education, and connection to additional community resources based on family needs.

Overall, The Sparrow’s Nest seeks to create a safe and supportive environment where children and parents can grow and develop into the individuals God created them to be, while walking alongside families facing economic challenges with practical help and Christ-centered encouragement.

We had the opportunity to hear from Lance Rogers, President of The Sparrow’s Nest, and learn more about why this ministry holds such deep significance for him and his family.

Lance shared that he and his wife, Lisa, first felt called to serve after hearing Carissa Figgins speak at HCC about the ministry’s mission to support young mothers and families.

Lance shared that his connection to The Sparrow’s Nest is rooted in his convictions about faith, family, and the sanctity of life, formed through personal family loss and shaped by the example of his mother, who was widowed at a young age and raised two boys on her own. These experiences continue to inform his compassion and deepen his desire to support mothers and children in meaningful ways.

Serving has also impacted his relationship with Jesus. Lance shared that for many years, personal burdens were something he carried quietly, but through Christ, he has found the courage to hold onto hope and share it with others. Serving has reminded him that faith is meant to be lived out in community.

When asked what encouragement he would give to someone considering serving, Lance pointed to simple obedience, following the nudge of the Holy Spirit, stepping out in faith, and being present for those in need. He reminded us that God has already given each of us unique gifts and is faithful to use them when we make ourselves available to Him.

Through committed leadership and compassionate care, The Sparrow’s Nest continues to walk alongside young families, offering both practical help and tangible hope.

To learn more, visit: https://thesparrowsneststl.org

To get involved: https://thesparrowsneststl.org/take-action/

Two of our Good Neighbor Serve Week projects will support The Sparrow’s Nest. More information will be coming.

Please pray for The Sparrow’s Nest and the families they serve, and consider how God might be calling you to use your gifts to unleash the hope of Jesus in your community.

Blog written by Local Outreach Communications Volunteer: Christina Bollinger

April 29, 2026

in Upcoming Events

by cefiggins

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April 2026 Newsletter

HCC St Charles Campus-Local Outreach

Devotional: Trading Our Certainty for Christlikeness

I think and pray about neighborhoods a lot. When I am driving around meeting with our various community and ministry partners, I get to see all kinds of neighborhoods of different ages, different builders, and different preice points. Think about a neighborhood where every house is painted the exact same shade, every yard trimmed to identical lines, every porch decorated with the same furniture. At first glance, it might look neat—even impressive—but after a while, it begins to feel lifeless and a little creepy. There’s no personality, no story, no evidence of the unique people who live inside those walls. Sameness may create order, but it rarely creates connection.

Unity in the Kingdom of God was never meant to look like that kind of sameness—it was always meant to look like surrender. Somewhere along the way, it becomes easy to confuse being right with being righteous, to elevate certainty over Christlike character. But God did not set us apart because we mastered arguments or held the correct opinions; He set us apart through His Word, which reveals His heart, not our superiority. The invitation of Jesus has never been to prove a point, but to embody a posture—one marked by humility, love, and a deep trust that God is fully capable of being God without our control. And when we begin to loosen our grip on needing to be right, we may discover that what the world has been waiting for isn’t our correction—but our compassion.

Unity does not mean uniformity. It is not about who is right and who is wrong. We are sanctified, set apart, not by being right and everyone else is wrong. We are sanctified by God’s word and His truth. That scripture reveals God’s heart towards us, not our certainty in being right. It is a posture of humility and love. A posture that is not about us but allowing more and more people to encounter Jesus, not being a blockade. Does the God of all the universe, in all of His omnipotence, really need me to try to control His creation? Does God, in His omniscience, rely on me to define what is true and what is false on His behalf? Have I fallen into the trap that somehow God, the same God who is omnipresent, needs to be defended in case someone sneaks up behind Him and takes Him down? I am weak, and He is strong. I need forgiveness and redemption. He is the Forgiver and Redemptor. I do not need to waste words, thoughts, and energy on things that seem holy as dictated by the world. I have been called to Love God with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my mind. Secondly, I am commanded to Love my neighbor as myself. We must be careful not to confuse our role with God’s rule. Jesus’ holiness did not push people away. His purpose was not to intimidate or condemn but to gently call all people to something greater than they had ever known.

If we are honest, we have all fallen short of this glory of God and conformed our faith into something we saw on the news or social media, or from some group. 2 Timothy 4:3-5 says there will be a time when we gather around teachers who say what our itching ears long to hear, and it turns us away from the truth to myths. Myths that convince us to force our faith on others through policy or party, or marginalize people for not believing how we believe as Christ followers. John 17 reminds us that the world will not believe because we are the most correct. The world will believe because we are the most loving. There is a point in our spiritual transformation that we must surrender the fear of being wrong. We must repent from the motivation of “getting it right.” At some point, we all have to admit that we are the barrier keeping others from finding and following Jesus. Join me in humbling myself and repenting of the need to be right with all certainty and surrender to becoming more like Christ.

Ask God to create in you a new heart and renew a right spirit in Him. Repent of the times you have unknowingly or knowingly been a barrier to someone’s faith rather than a door that leads them to Jesus.
The early church was visible to the whole world, and they had favor with all people (Acts 2:47). Dietrich Bonhoeffer shares that the growth of the church came from those who shouted “Hosanna,” not “Crucify.” How is God possibly calling on you to shift your speech to others, the words you choose to listen to, to the social media posts you like or post to focus on John 17 unity rather than creating dividing lines with non-believers?

Prayer Focus

We believe prayer is where outreach begins. Before we go, we ask God to move.

Our Community — That individuals and families in St. Charles County would experience stability, provision, and the hope of Jesus
Our Ministry Partners — For endurance, wisdom, and encouragement as they serve on the front lines every day
Our Church — That more people would step into serving as a next step in following Jesus. Pray that barriers are removed that keep people from finding ways to serve and signing up to serve outside the walls of Harvester.

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, help me see what You see. Break my heart for what breaks Yours, and give me courage to step in.

📅 Upcoming Opportunities

If you do not see these serving opportunities in the app, or if it is not clear how to sign up, please email Carissa at cfiggins@harvester.cc

Leadership Pathway

Our Local Outreach Crew Leaders recently completed a Leadership Orientation that is a requirement for all HCC Leaders at all campuses. So what do they do now? The first special Leadership Seminar will be led by Don Sanders on two important topics to help us grow as leaders. It will also be a great chance to connect with other leaders at Harvester too! Reminder, this is just for HCC Leaders who have completed the Leadership Orientation.

May 2nd
O’Fallon Campus
9 am-11 am

SCHEDULE:
8:45-9:00 – Arrive/Snacks & Coffee
9:00-9:10 – Welcome & Intro
9:10-10:00 – Session 1: Thinking Critically as Leaders
10:00-10:05 – Break
10:05-10:55 – Session 2: Caring Compassionately as Leaders
10:55-11:00 – Closing & Dismissal

We want all our leaders to be there! Here is the link to RSVP.

The Sharing Shed

Join us and serve on one or more of these dates! This regular serve crew serves clients of The Sharing Shed by receiving household donations, cleaning, organizing, and personally shopping with clients.

Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 27, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, 9:00 am -11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 am-11:00 a.m.

Broken & Beautiful Pen Pal Ministry

Ongoing Need- Volunteers are needed to join our Pen Pal Ministry to women incarcerated in prison. A minimum of one email a month to encourage and help women draw closer to Jesus. Training is required.

School Outreach Pray & Prep

Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Join us for any of these serving opportunities in the Annex to pray over our local schools, students, and teachers each month. The remainder of the time is spent preparing teacher appreciation gifts and handwriting cards of encouragement. Enter through Door 10 of the Annex.

School Partnerships

Ongoing Need – We are waiting on some details from the schools, but pencil in these events and dates for now.

May 6 Teacher Appreciation Lunch at Harvest Ridge 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
May 6 Teacher Appreciation Lunch at Barnwell
May 12, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Hackmann Rd Early Childhood End of the Year Celebration at Ollie’s Fun Center-St Peters.
Kona Ice at Barnwell Middle School, Friday, May 15, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Serve at one or both times! 2-3 Volunteers needed to assist students in purchasing Kona Ice, handing out napkins, and being a friendly face at the school
May 18, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Senior Clap Out and Ice Cream at Becky David Elementary

HCC Food Pantry and Food Backpack Ministry – Ongoing

Stamp Out Hunger

Saturday, May 9. Volunteers are needed to receive non-perishable food items from letter carriers. Donations will need to be sorted, weighed, and organized in the food pantry.
May 20 Last deliveries of food backpacks to schools for the school year.

SAVE THE DATE!

Good Neighbor Serve Week Coming July 13-18
Start praying now about how you—and your family or group—can be part of this powerful week of impact. We are lining up over 20 different serving opportunities! I am actively recruiting leaders to lead each serving opportunity, so let me know if you are interested in learning more!

Ministry Partner Spotlight: Safe Families for Children

If you haven’t already, read about our ministry partner, Safe Families for Children, as we continue to bring awareness to Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month. Click this link to read this article by our Communications Volunteer, Christina Bollinger.

More Ways to Stay in the Local Outreach Loop

Like and Share posts from HCC Outreach- St Charles Campus Facebook Page

Like and Share posts from HCC Food Pantry

Subscribe and follow HarvesterCC Outreach Blog

In the Harvester app: Log in to the app. At the bottom right-hand corner, click “Resources.” On the next screen, click “Volunteer Toolbox.” Click on any group you are assigned to see the calendar and message about needs, events, or serving opportunities. If you would like to be added to any group, such as Food Pantry, School Outreach, EWR Warming Center, Safe Families/Foster/Adopt, Natural Disaster, Food Backpack Ministry, Elections, or Sharing Shed, please email our Ministry Coordinator, Jillian Hohensee, at jhohensee@harvester.cc

April 16, 2026

in Child Welfare, Ministry Partner

by cefiggins

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Ministry Spotlight: Safe Families for Children

As we continue sharing resources during Child Abuse Awareness Month, we want to highlight the work of another one of our incredible ministry partners, Safe Families for Children.

Safe Families for Children is a national movement of compassion that gives hope to families in crisis by providing temporary care for children and relational support that helps families move toward stability.

The three goals of Safe Families are child abuse prevention, child welfare (foster care) deflection, and family support and stabilization. In St. Charles County, most of the families served are facing homelessness or other significant hardships such as job loss or hospitalization. Volunteer host families provide temporary homes for children while parents navigate these difficult circumstances. Alongside hosting children in their homes, volunteers help expand a family’s circle of support through relational care and practical connection. Safe Families believes everyone should have a community of support in times of crisis.

Historically, in the Greater St. Louis area, 98% of parents who use Safe Families services have their children returned to them and avoid foster care. Many families also remain connected with their host families long-term, forming ongoing relationships that function as an extended family. Host families themselves often share that their own lives have been deeply impacted as they serve. Safe Families creates connections between people who may have never met otherwise and brings awareness to the realities of poverty.

There are several meaningful ways the community can support this work and serve families in crisis.

Host Families temporarily welcome children into their home while a parent works through a crisis. The average stay is 2–4 weeks. The approval process includes an application, references, background checks, including fingerprinting, online training, and a home safety assessment.

Family Friends support both host families and parents by offering help such as babysitting, transportation, mentoring, assistance with resources, or simply being a consistent, supportive presence. The approval process includes an application, references, background checks including fingerprinting, online training, and an interview.

Resource Friends provide tangible support such as diapers, meals, clothing, and other needed items for families in crisis.

There is an upcoming Info Meeting via Zoom on May 7th at 7 pm for those who would like to learn more about Safe Families and ways to get involved. Register for the info meeting by clicking this link.
https://bethany.org/locations/us/mo/st-louis/events/sffc-info-meeting-5-7-26-5-7-2026

To learn more or get involved, visit:
bethany.org/sffc

https://www.facebook.com/sffcStLouis

Please also keep Safe Families and the children and families they serve in your prayers this month.

Blog written by Christina Bollinger

Local Outreach Communications Volunteers

April 5, 2026

in DTOTD

by cefiggins

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What Now? Living Like the Resurrection Is Still Happening

The season leading up to Easter is full of preparation. It’s a mindset that comes with the seasons finally changing. It’s a holiday tradition that brings friends and families together. Easter comes with full rooms, full hearts, and the powerful declaration: He is risen.

But then Monday comes.The quiet question rises: What do we do now?

What the Disciples Did After the Resurrection

The disciples didn’t immediately become bold leaders sharing the news of a Risen Savior with everyone they knew. .They did what most of us would do:

They gathered in fear and uncertainty (John 20:19)
They processed what had happened
Some returned to what felt familiar—like fishing (John 21:3)
They waited
And in the waiting… Jesus met them

He showed up in ordinary places like rooms, roads, and shorelines, reminding them that resurrection wasn’t just an event, it was a reality they would now live inside.

What Changed Everything

Everything shifted when they began to truly believe not just that Jesus rose, but that He was alive and present with them now. Their fear changed into courage. They came out of hiding to witness. Once again, God used ordinary people to become carriers of an extraordinary hope.

What Do We Do Now?

One thing is, we don’t move on from Easter. We live in it. We intentionally stay close and choose to be with Him in our everyday, ordinary schedules and agendas. And He still meets us in those everyday moments, transforming them into the holy and sacred simply because He is with us. We need to stay close to Jesus in the ordinary. Allow the resurrection to reshape your perspective on anything you see or anything you are experiencing. What feels dead or futile isn’t beyond His power. Just like the disciples, share your story. You don’t need all the answers, just a willing heart to share how saying YES to Jesus has changed your life. When the world gets loud and chaotic, and anxiety rears its ugly head, live with a quiet courage with the confidence that HOPE becomes your witness. Keep showing up to worship, to pray, to listen, to praise, to learn, to teach, to lead, and to serve. Faithfulness creates space for you to see and feel how God is already moving in your life and the lives of others.

Scripture to Explore

John 21:12–13
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.”

Look at this bit of amaziness. After everything, the cross, the confusion, the miracle, Jesus makes them breakfast. This is who He is.
Alive. Present. Personal. In the ordinary, everyday moments. He provided a safe space for the disciples to encounter Him.

Journal Questions

Where in my life do I need to believe that resurrection is still possible?
What would it look like for me to live this week like Jesus is truly alive and present with me?
In these three things I do every day, I am inviting Jesus into those tasks/spaces so I can encounter Him and become more like Him.

A Simple Prayer

Jesus,
Thank You that the resurrection wasn’t the end—it was the beginning.
Help me carry Easter into my everyday life.
Meet me in the ordinary, strengthen my faith, and teach me to live like You are alive. Because You are.
Amen.

Truth to Carry Today:
The resurrection isn’t behind you. It’s within you.

April 2, 2026

in Community Partner

by cefiggins

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Community Partner Spotlight: Child Advocacy Center of Northwest Missouri

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and therefore, it is an important opportunity to highlight the invaluable work of one of our local community partners: The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri.

Through prevention, protection, advocacy, and education, the CAC serves children and families across 14 counties in Northeast Missouri.

We had the opportunity to speak with Heidi Stobart, Communications and Events Manager, to learn more about the mission of the CAC and the many ways this organization works to protect children, support families, and bring hope in difficult circumstances.

For children who have experienced abuse or neglect, having a safe place to share their story can be life-changing. The CAC partners with law enforcement and child protective services to ensure children can disclose abuse safely, without fear of being further victimized. The center also offers healing services and educates the community about prevention.

Through forensic interviews, child and family advocacy, mental health therapy, and school- and community-based programs, the CAC helps to protect children and connect families with the resources they need.

There are many meaningful ways for the community to support this work and make a difference in the lives of these children and their families.

From attending CAC events to helping spread awareness, CAC Ambassadors play an essential part in the center’s mission. Another way to contribute to the CAC and the families they serve is by donating blankets, prepackaged snacks, bottled water, or gift cards for families traveling to and from forensic interviews or therapy, which provides tangible support for children and caregivers.

Please also remember to pray for the CAC and the families they serve. Every child who has experienced abuse is precious in God’s sight. He cares for them deeply, and we should too.

For ways to get involved and support the CAC, please see opportunities and needs below.

Volunteer Opportunities, Upcoming Events, and Needs

Volunteer as a CAC Ambassador – Attend meetings every other month, volunteer at CAC events, and help spread awareness in the community.
Occasional volunteer opportunities – Help with repairs, cleaning, organizing, or administrative tasks as needs arise or refreshing the backyard of the CAC where children often play as they wait for interviews or therapy.
Share CAC social media content to help raise awareness.

Upcoming Events:

One With Courage Gala – April 25, 2026 – Ameristar Ballroom
Golf Classic – June 26, 2026 – Woods Fort in Troy, MO

Immediate Needs:

Gift cards for gas stations or fast food to assist families traveling for forensic interviews or therapy
New blankets for children (small, rolled, fleece blankets are perfect)
Prepackaged snacks or bottled water

Learn More:

Website: cacnemo.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecacnemo
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecacnemo

Blog by Christina Bollinger, HCC Local Outreach Communications Volunteer.

March 26, 2026

in Upcoming Events

by cefiggins

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