Preloader image
Community Partner
-1
archive,category,category-community-partner,category-350277,wp-custom-logo,wp-theme-borderland,theme-borderland,eltd-core-1.2.1,postx-page,woocommerce-no-js,borderland-theme-ver-2.5,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,boxed,smooth_scroll,fade_push_text_right,grid_1300, vertical_menu_with_scroll,columns-3,type1,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.9.0,vc_responsive

Community Partner

April 2, 2026
in Community Partner
by cefiggins
0 Comments

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:

Blog by Christina Bollinger, HCC Local Outreach Communications Volunteer.

Read More
October 2, 2025
in Child Welfare, Community Partner, GiveHope, HCC, Local, Mental Health, Outreach
by cefiggins
0 Comments

Community Partner Spotlight: Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri

This week, we are spotlighting our community partner, The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri. The primary goal of The Child Advocacy Center is to ensure that children disclosing abuse are not further victimized by the intervention systems designed to protect them. Services offered include forensic interviews, children and family advocacy, mental health therapy, and school and community-based prevention education programs. The Child Advocacy Center is a child-focused place where a comprehensive, coordinated approach is taken in response to allegations of child sexual and physical abuse occurring in a 14-county service area.
What is one specific way Harvester Christian Church’s GIVE HOPE contributions have unleashed hope in your organization or in the community through your organization?
It is $619 for a forensic interview. Your donations give a child a voice to start the process of healing.
If Harvester Christians have served at your organization, what impact have they had on the community you serve?
They have helped to create a warm, safe environment for the children of St Charles and Lincoln County to enter.
Please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church. Specific identifying information is not needed
Recently, an 8-year-old girl came through to do an interview. She disclosed that an older neighbor boy showed her pornography and asked if she wanted to try it with him. She ran away and told her mother. When one of our advocates told her she did a good job informing her child what to do in this case, the mom said, “It wasn’t me. Someone came to her school two days ago and told her to say no, run away, and tell.” That was the CAC prevention team that was at the school that gave her the tools.
What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?
Painting interior walls, grounds, landscaping, Strip and wax bathrooms
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 don’t need you to help with fundraisers, but it would be great if you could let the church know that we do have some events that they can participate in.
Trafficking 101 Presentation, October 22, 2025 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles County Library
Community Room B

Goals of the presentation:
– Understanding trafficking vs. exploitation
– How technology, apps, and AI are used to target youth
– Recognizing tattoos and branding used by traffickers
– Key warning signs and red flags
– How to respond safely and appropriately
– Where and how to report concerns
– Using a trauma-informed approach with potential victims
Free event, please register at https://form.jotform.com/252545220742047 
Trafficking & Tattoos Presentation: November 10, 2025 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles County Library, Corporate Parkway Branch
Community Room A
Who should attend: Tattoo Artists, piercers, and apprentices. The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri is on the front lines of child sex trafficking and exploitation cases. Join us to learn more about tattoos and trafficking.
– Understand how traffickers use tattoos as a method of control, identification, and ownership.
– Learn common tattoo patterns, locations, and meanings associated with both victims and traffickers.
– Recognize non-verbal cues, situational signs, and contextual indicators that may point to trafficking activity.
– Learn safe, trauma-informed steps to take when you suspect trafficking is occurring
RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/252573686199171
What is a future program or project that could benefit from an investment of Harvester Christian GIVE HOPE funds?
We could use some outdoor patio furniture for our advocates and Forsentic interviewers. They need a comfortable place outside of the windowless rooms to decompress.
What is the estimated cost of this future program or project? $700
How can we pray for your organization, staff, volunteers, clients, and the community your organization serves?
Please pray to give our staff the strength to continue to do their jobs and not take it home with them. To sleep soundly knowing they did a good job, even though they might not know the result. Pray for peace for them and cover them with God’s love. Pray for the children and give them the courage to speak up. Give them peace with no guilt that they did the right thing.
What is one thing Harvester Christian can do to improve how we serve your organization?
Any additional thoughts, questions, opinions, comments, or feedback?
Grateful for Carissa and Harvester Christian Church!  We do more through you and HIM!
Read More
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.
=====
*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
Read More
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.

Read More
March 31, 2025
in Child Welfare, Church, Community Partner, Discipleship, Food Backpack Program, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed, Uncategorized
by cefiggins
0 Comments

April 2025 Newsletter

New Life in Christ: A Season of Baptism and Service

Spring is a season of renewal, a time when we can usually shake off any worries of bleak winter days and look forward to days that just burst with vibrant new life. It is so wonderful to be able to celebrate Easter in this season—the ultimate reminder that Jesus conquered death and offers us new life in Him. At Harvester Christian Church, we see this truth come alive in so many ways, but few are as powerful as witnessing baptisms during this time of year.

Baptism is a public declaration of faith, a moment when someone steps into the water to proclaim that they are leaving behind their old life and stepping into a new life with Christ. Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” This new life is not just about our own salvation—it calls us into something greater: a life of service, generosity, and love for others.

Continue reading
March 6, 2025
in Community Partner, Food Backpack Program, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, packapack, Safe Families for Children, School Outreach, Serve Teams
by cefiggins
0 Comments

Is Your Small Group Ready To Serve?

With winter finally melting away and Daylight Savings time just around the corner many of us are also coming back to life! I have heard that many small groups have been on hold since the holidays with the onslaught of rough weather and long weeks of illness. Is your small group coming back to life? Are they starting to talk about how they can serve their community? Here are a few ideas to get them going!

1. The HCC Food Backpack Ministry serves about 100-120 local students every week. Your small group can help these children who experience food insecurity by hosting a food drive. This is an easy way to get neighbors involved near your host home as well. Collect canned ravioli, individual mac n cheese, nut-free snacks such as granola bars, beef jerky, and healthy fruit snacks. Plan a special time to pray over these students and families hit with hard times.

2. In the same vein, on average the HCC Food Pantry provides groceries for 130 clients. Could your small group consider hosting a canned food drive to help keep the pantry shelves stocked?

3. Does your small group enjoy being outdoors? Could they consider weeding and mulching at one of our local schools on a weeknight? Would they enjoy helping to keep the Journey Trails free of weeds and trash?

4. Does your small group have the gift of hospitality? Could they consider hosting one of our teacher appreciation breakfasts or lunches? Could they stock and deliver our WOOT WOOT cart, a snack and drink cart, to one of our local school partners?

5. Does your small group love shopping? Could they consider collecting 24 packed backpacks this summer for Pack A Pack? Could they purchase children’s socks and underwear for HCC Back To School events?

6. Is your small group packed with Prayer Warriors? Could they consider joining our monthly School Outreach Pray and Prep where we pray over local schools, administrators, teachers, and students?

7. Does your small group like to plan and host parties and fun events? Could they consider helping to organize community breakfasts or dinners for our community and ministry partners to come to HCC to be encouraged? Or help plan a teacher appreciation dinner?

8. Does your small group love children? Could they consider becoming a Family Friend or a Host Family with Safe Families for Children?

9. Does your small group have a heart for individuals living with disabilities? Could they consider connecting with our ministry partner Joni & Friends and serving at summer camps or family retreats this summer?

10. Does your small group’s heartbreak for our unhoused neighbors? Could they consider serving at a cooling center this summer or a warming center in the winter?

BONUS option: Does your small group want to serve but is not sure where to start? Consider inviting Carissa Figgins, our local Outreach Pastor to visit your small group and learn more about how your small group can lead others to find and follow Jesus!

Make sure each of your small group members subscribes to this blog and is following the HCC Outreach- St Charles Campus Facebook page to stay up to date on serving opportunities and more!

Read More
March 3, 2025
in Church, Community Partner, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, Safe Families for Children, School Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed, Uncategorized
by cefiggins
0 Comments

March 2025 Edition: What’s Coming in HCC Local Outreach & Beyond

March 2025 Edition: What’s Coming in HCC Local Outreach & Beyond
Thank You Father

On Sunday Nikomas preached on Gratitude. I had the vantage point of sitting up top during the third service. As I looked down I saw two of our warming center guests praising God with all of their might during a sermon on gratitude I saw one of our members who I know is battling harsh health issues praising with all their might during a sermon on gratitude. I saw one of our Local Outreach volunteers who I know is going through a rough family season praising with all of their might during a sermon on gratitude. That was one of the “Thank You Fathers” I wrote down in my phone. Thank you Father for examples of spiritual giants who praise you and thank you and keep a laser focus on you no matter what life throws their way.” I would love for you to share one of your “Thank You Fathers” in the comments of the blog!

Local Outreach Updates:
In order to focus on the For The One Campaign we had very few events in February. But if you attended one of the vision nights I know you got a piece of the momentum and excitement. I personally loved when we turned to our neighbors and prayed with 3-4 people seated around us for courage and for our One. Be sure to sign up for a time slot for the 24 Hours of Prayer. Commitment Sunday is coming up on March 9th. Continue praying about how God wants you to share his gifts to go above and beyond your normal giving.

I have been working hard to build out this blog with useful information. You can now find an overview of all current serving opportunities as well as many specific volunteer descriptions. Make it a goal to share those links with people in your small group this month.

Continue reading

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.