Jesus

Calling Out from Isolation: Hope Found on the Airwaves

About twice a year, JOY FM reaches out to me and about 30 other pastors and counselors to be a part of their Hope & Heal. For four hours straight, we receive phone calls from all over the St. Louis Metro area and beyond to answer our neighbors’ prayer requests. This week, JOY FM’s Hope & Heal initiative has been a sacred lifeline for many. The phone calls are always non-stop. You no sooner hang up the phone than your phone is ringing. There are often 10-12 people in the queue every minute. In moments when loneliness whispers that nobody cares, people have dialed into the station, baring their deepest struggles to voices that feel like strangers—and yet, through those strangers, they’ve felt God’s presence.

Some callers expressed the depth of their isolation. The calls this week were of higher intensity, people in total crisis. They were so low, they did the bravest thing they ever could: they reached out to people who didn’t know them, and in sharing their hardest truths. KMOV and Fox 2 both promoted the event, and people around the area who perhaps had not set foot in a church in years, if ever, reached out for hope. Satan was overcome, and God was glorified when they discovered they weren’t alone.

When Strangers Become Praying Neighbors

The power of those moments—when an unknown voice prays for your healing, your family, your burdens can’t be overstated. In these exchanges, strangers were transformed into praying neighbors, offering their faith as a bridge out of despair. Holy connectivity brought people out of the pits of despair. We couldn’t see these people’s faces; we didn’t have any idea of their belief systems or faith journey. We didn’t know where they stood on political or social issues. There was no way we could withhold grace. mercy and love on theological differences. These neighbors were drowning and needed a Savior right then and there.

Scripture: The Foundation of Healing Hope

The spiritual core of this outreach draws strength from God’s Word. Here are some scriptures that echo what many have experienced this week:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” — 2 Timothy 1:7
As believers, we can operate with confidence and courage in the strength, love, and self-control that come from God.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” — James 5:13
A simple call to release our suffering through prayer so we can more easily receive something new.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
In isolation, we can fling over our worries to the One who holds us.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” — Psalm 34:17
Many found comfort in knowing their prayers did not go unheard.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
Strangers became companions in prayer—becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in those moments.

Stories from This Week’s Calls And Beyond

While respecting privacy, here’s a distilled glimpse of what participants shared:

A single mom feeling utterly alone, who confessed, “I’ve never felt this distant from God—and now I can feel Him listening.”
Parents battling despair over fractured relationships with grown children shared “everything feels too heavy to bear,” and yet, through the kindness of a voice on the line, felt the light of hope.
A veteran battling depression said, “I don’t pray well…but hearing you pray for me gave me words I didn’t have.” This underscores how communal prayer can empower even those struggling with their own faith.
Several of our HCC family reached out to me later in the day, saying they wanted to call but couldn’t find a private space. They shared that they knew they needed prayer and didn’t want to wait.

Why Prayer Still Matters

In a world often cold and disconnected, prayer is our most human response to the supernatural grace of God. It transcends distance, mends what’s broken, and brings healing to the hurting.

This week’s JOY FM outreach was a reminder that healing doesn’t always begin in a church—or alone in a room—but often happens when someone picks up a phone, speaks honestly, and allows love to be offered back. Healing often starts when we are brave neighbors and reach out to those living right next door to us to remind them they are not alone, and we have a hope that does not make sense in this world of chaos.

A Prayer for Today

Let’s pray together, in solidarity with every caller and for those who were not able to call in:

Lord, in our brokenness and in our silence, You are there—listening, caring, healing. May Your people continue to be vessels of Your hope, that no one ever feels too low to reach out. Make us brave to reach out to recieve hope and to give hope. Let every heart find rest in You. Amen.

This Hope & Heal week reveals a powerful truth: even when Satan lies to us and tells us we are most alone, we are not alone. Prayers offered by strangers unaware can become channels of grace and messages of hope—showing us that our stories, shared in vulnerability, are met with compassion, faith, and healing. So often we say something utterly silly like “All I know to do is just pray.” Just pray…as if that is the most minimal non-invasive weak sign of surrender. When we pray, we can move mountains in the name of the Lord! Dead things come alive in the name of Jesus! May these moments continue to remind us all: the darkest depths often give way to the brightest dawn when we reach out in prayer.

July 16, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Coumerilh

My name is Mike Coumerilh. My family found HCC in the summer of 2021 while Nikomas and the rest of the leadership were laying out the vision for us to encounter Jesus, become like Jesus, and unleash the hope of Jesus – something that resonates with us so much. Hearing this from the leaders confirmed to us that we belong right here, right now. And while we have plugged ourselves into multiple places here at HCC, I most recently volunteered to help with EWR, the Emergency Weather Response Team when Harvester was a warming center this winter for our unhoused neighbors. I believe we need to have a love of the Word (theologically sound preaching), a love for the Church (serve the local body), and a love for the world (reach and evangelize the lost). HCC clearly and intentionally makes room for each one of these. My focus for these last few years has been to do more to love the world. And volunteering for EWR does exactly that. Even though HCC has offered to be a ‘host’ church these last three years for EWR to shelter the homeless overnight, it had yet to be cold enough during our week to activate. This year was different. We activated four of the seven nights, including the first three consecutive! For my part, I volunteered to be available to stay overnight to ensure things went smoothly, to provide some sense of consistency each night, and hope the peace was kept. Given that I also have a full-time day job to report to each day, it was nothing short of supernatural to be able to go those more than 72 hours with less than 6 hours of sleep in total and still function at a normal level! There were some difficult moments, for sure. But God has promised to provide for ALL our needs (Philippians 4:19), especially where we are weak and lacking – and He truly did during that week. I may not have formal training in conflict resolution, but in Mark 13:11 Jesus instructs us in a slightly different context to “not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (ESV). I experienced exactly that multiple times throughout the week. There were also so many enjoyable and lighthearted moments all week long! The feeling you get when those whom you have been serving are walking out the door, pause to turn around, look you in the eyes and thank you with a gratitude from deep within their heart is incomparable! THAT is a warming center I want to be a part of!

In 1 Corinthians Paul lays out that while he has entitlements for who he is as an educated, free Apostle, he eagerly lays those aside for the LORD to use him to further the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:12, 19-23 Paul exhorts us to stay out of the way of ourselves (and the Gospel) by being more relatable to those whom we are trying to reach. “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews, I became as a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law, I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” I will add….to the unshaven, I became unshaven so as to not stick out quite as much. Literally. For about a week before we activated, I hadn’t shaved (but even that wasn’t THAT significant, LOL). And while I was there, I tried to avoid wearing anything that made me look like I never wear the same shirt twice. I dressed down and left my clean clothes at home. If I’m going to have a chance to listen to someone’s story or talk with someone about the LORD, I don’t want them to be distracted with thinking about the “good life” I must be living!

I said earlier that the LORD provides for our needs (Philippians 4:19). This is never more evident than when you put yourself in a place of weakness and vulnerability! To live is Christ, and someday, to die will be gain. But for now, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:12, I will endure anything (even staying up for almost 72 hours straight!) rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. It’s the least I can do (Matthew 25:31-46). His Spirit in me makes it easy given the reward of seeing the LORD touching the hearts of the lost. And to God be all the glory!

June 5, 2025

in Church, DTOTD, Jesus

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.

March 20, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, Church, HCC, Jesus, Local, Mental Health, Outreach, Uncategorized

Take a risk in the name of the Lord

There is not a set formula that leads someone to live unhoused. We can’t be so naive and judgemental to assume someone got into drugs, lost their job, doesn’t want responsibility, and is now living on the streets. In St Charles County homelessness is becoming a crisis. The situation is fueled by the lack of affordable housing, lack of transportation, and affordable child care, mental health challenges, job loss, and other life crises that create depression and despair.

What is the cause of homelessness?

If you talk to any HCC volunteer who served in the Warming Center they will all humbly share that they entered that serving opportunity with a preconceived idea of why someone would be homeless. In reality, there are so many situations that can lead to homelessness. Many of us in the church are just one hospitalization away from being homeless ourselves.

Homelessness can mean :

Earning a wage that is insufficient to meet housing costs.
Aging out of foster care and not having a permanent place to live.
Fleeing an abuser as they seek a safe place to live.
Living in a constant state of survival mode.
Being arrested for sleeping in a public location, despite having nowhere else to go.

So what does this mean for us at Harvester Christian Church? What can we possibly do?

Pray

For sure, I can share all the ways I know how to serve our unhoused neighbors, but I don’t know specifically how God is calling you. Pray for God to give you eyes to see His children who are experiencing homelessness. Pray for your heart to break for the things that break His heart. Pray for God to open your mind to the possibilities of service through justice and generosity. Pray you are obedient to the command of Loving God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul. Pray you are also obedient to the command of loving your neighbor as yourself.

Educate yourself and others

As I mentioned before there are lots of reasons for homelessness but there are solutions that work to end homelessness as well. The solution to ending homelessness is simply housing. “Rapid re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the needs of the person.” Rapid re-housing can end homelessness by quickly connecting people to a home and services. We need Christian landlords willing to provide truly affordable housing with limited barriers. We need policies that encourage and incentivize business owners and community leaders to support rapid re-housing initiatives. We need many more second-chance employers to provide employment opportunities at a living wage. We need to be well versed in what God’s word sets as expectations and commandments for serving the poor and marginalized.

Practical and Tangible Help for Transportation

Many of our unhoused neighbors have been able to hold onto a car of some form or another. This provides their access not only to employment but also serves as their home Many of our unhoused neighbors share that transportation is a barrier that hinders access to services and opportunities. Challenges can include high maintenance costs and unreliable vehicles. You can help by donating bikes, and gas/Uber cards, supporting small repairs (Jiffy Lube GCs), and offering to pay directly to insurance providers to make sure their cars are properly insured for 30,60 or 90 days. Or make a financial contribution to local organizations that provide direct services.

Take A Risk

Ultimately we need Christ’s followers to live their faith in action. We need Christians to be obedient to God’s calling in their lives and take a risk in the name of the Lord. We need to walk into loving others knowing that yes we may get taken advantage of, yes we may be inconvenienced, yes, our efforts may not work out, and yes something we own might be mistreated or abused. Yes, the individual we are helping may not know how to properly express gratitude. Yes, it might be messy and take a long time. Yes you may not get to see the results of your efforts and investment of your time, talents, and treasure in this individual. But all of those things are of this world. All of those excuses are really about pleasing ourselves and man rather than God.

I don’t know where is God is leading you in meeting this need in our community. But I do know we have to step out of faith and be much more intentional in our actions of serving those women, children, and men who are experiencing homelessness. If you want to learn more about homelessness in our community let’s schedule a coffee soon. We CAN do something about this issue not because of who we are but because of WHOSE we are.

February 19, 2025

in DTOTD, Jesus, Mental Health

The Darkness Has Not Overcome- DTOTD

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5

Before this particular winter season, I like to think I created the hashtag #Ihatecold. Before this year I despised winter. Not even joking, winter has always brought on intense panic for me. Before this season winter has always been a race for survival for me. I think I have felt truly threatened by what I perceived as the power of winter. The lack of yellow sunlight, the lack of warmth, the perceived prison of the indoors, the perpetual grayness, and the phrase “weather permitting” have always made me feel like I am suffocating as I will truly not survive another winter. My brain plays tricks on me that I really might not survive and depression and anxiety have ruled the day in the winter months. Even if we have crazy days of spring pop up like they leave me feeling yanked around and psychologically messed with. The darkness, and the lack of light, in the past have given me a feeling of fear that I had convinced myself I needed to fight off, not succumb to, to overcome myself. Instead of winter being a season of rest and a time to slow down, I have been frenzy not to let it “get me.” New journals, new self-help strategies, new bright-colored clothing, new light therapy, a new therapist anything I could think of to outrun the darkness. It has always been exhausting and it has rarely worked as winter deepens, the days are short; darkness claims more hours than light. In this season, it is too easy for me to feel the weight of the shadows—both physical and spiritual. The world can feel heavy, cold, and uncertain for me.

However…

Over Christmas, I found a book that has drastically changed my perspective and mindset about winter. How to Winter: Harness your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, and Difficult Days shares themes of anticipating winter, looking forward to the times of rest, allowing a sense of wonder and awe to lead how we view the world, and most importantly for me, to embrace the darkness of the season. This has been a key mind shift for me to not only survive winter but also reflect on my own walk with the Lord. I am not talking about embracing the darkness that Satan tempts us with. But more in how the author shares in this passage. “No other strategy embodies the spirit of shifting your wintertime mindset as completely as finding joy in the darkness: faced with something we have no power over, we can push back and complain or we can collaborate with the night to transform darkness from oppressive gloom to cozy wonder. “

When I read this part of the book, I was reminded of our decision to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as we find and follow Jesus. My spirit was convicted that I once again had walked right into one of Satan’s oldest and stupidest lies: that I am alone and must overcome alone with my strength and understanding.

But John 1:5 reminds us of a powerful truth: the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

In the stillness of winter, the bare trees and silent cold may convince us that we will wait forever for warm sunny days, but waiting does not take away our joy. Just as creation rests during this time and waits to grow again, so we, too, are called to joyfully wait on the Lord because He is coming. I have always struggled with The Waiting. I feel I need to be doing something proactive. But Waiting is not a passive act; it requires a reaction of trust, surrender, and hope. It requires strength to let go and become weak. It is an invitation to lay down our burdens and let God take control.

So often, we want to fight our battles in the darkness, relying on our own strength, reasoning, or plans. We may feel we need to keep our battles in the darkness because no one else understands what we are going through or we can’t believe we are in this particular darkness again. Yet, our finite understanding can only be seen so far. Living life this way allows Satan to steal our joy. The battles we face—be they against fear, uncertainty, anxiety, or grief—are not ours to fight alone. As we read in Psalm 27:1 The Lord is our defender, our light, and our salvation.

I am wondering if you are like me and need to be reminded to take heart in knowing that Jesus is not intimidated by the darkness. He is not overwhelmed by the despair the winter seasons bring into our lives. He stepped into it, bringing a light that the shadows cannot extinguish. When we feel overwhelmed or unsure or overcome by the vastness of the darkness around us and in us, we can rest in and be joy-filled with His promise in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

As we enter hopefully the last part of this winter, let’s be brave together and wait in the darkness with a joy that really makes no sense for Jesus to rescue us. Once again, let’s surrender our struggles to the One who sees the end from the beginning. Let us trust in His light, and choose joy that illuminates the path even when it feels hidden. His light is not just for overcoming but for guiding, warming, and restoring. I pray the light of Christ fills and refills your heart today. I pray you feel His presence in a new way today and that it reminds you that darkness never has the final word. Be brave and joyfilled and rest as you wait in the darkness for your defender.

Prayer:

Hey God, thank You for being the light that shines in the darkness. In seasons of waiting, help us to trust in You and surrender our battles with the darkness into Your hands. Remind us that Your light is stronger than any shadow we face. Teach us again and again to rest in Your promises, knowing that You are our refuge and our strength. Be our defender, our source of joy, and our hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

February 13, 2025

in Church, HCC, Jesus, Local

Valentine’s Day Prayer

Hey God,

You are the God of love, the One who first loved us and calls us to love others in the same way. Thank You for the example of Jesus, who showed us what it means to love without condition, to serve with humility, and to give without expecting in return.

Lord, soften our hearts toward our neighbors. Remove any barriers of pride, fear, or indifference that keep us from seeing them as You do. Help us to love not just in words, but in action—to listen with compassion, to serve with joy, and to give generously of our time, resources, and kindness.

When it is difficult to love, remind us of the grace You have shown us. When we are tempted to turn away, strengthen us to lean in. Let our love reflect Your heart, so that our neighbors may come to know You through our lives.

May our homes, churches, and communities be places where love flourishes, burdens are shared, and hope is unleashed. Teach us to love as You love, for Your glory and the good of those around us.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen.

January 30, 2025

in Church, Food Backpack Program, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, Safe Families for Children, School Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed

Local Outreach Updates:
God was glorified when HCC hosted the (EWR) Warming Center on January 19-25. We were activated four nights and provided a total of 115 beds to our unhoused neighbors. I couldn’t believe it when I saw three of them on Sunday morning in services and chatting with Warming Center volunteers! We will start planning to provide a cooling center this summer when the temperatures are not safe for humans to be outside for extended periods of time. Let me know if you would like to be a part of that planning.

Our Safe Families/Foster/Adopt Serving Group is really coming together. This group is made up of HCC families who already serve as Host Families with Bethany Christian Safe Families or who are Foster/Adoptive Families. The group also includes Family Friends who may provide physical needs such as formula or clothing but they can also help provide meals, transportation, or babysitting to our HCC families.

Food Pantry and Food Backpack Volunteers are just beasts! They have continued to serve in ridiculous weather situations. Talk about discipleship at the cost of comfort. Thank you so much for your dedication and commitment!

FOR THE ONE VISON NIGHTS: We’re just over two weeks away from launching our FOR THE ONE Campaign, and we want to make sure you’re in the loop about this!! This campaign is all about boldly reaching the lost in our region through our third campus in O’Fallon and updates at our Troy Campus. To help everyone catch the vision and understand how we can all be part of it, we’re hosting three identical Vision Nights in February:

Tuesday, February 11th @ 6:30 PM (STC)
Wednesday, February 12th @ 6:30 PM (Troy)
Sunday, February 23rd @ 6:30 PM (STC)

Childcare will be provided for all three nights, and you only need to attend one. Please take a moment to sign up for the Vision Night that works best for you by clicking the link.

Upcoming Service Opportunities

School Outreach Monthly Pray & Prep
Monday 2/3/25 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. HCC St Charles Campus Annex Door 10
Join us each month to pray for our local schools, teachers, staff, families, and children. We also use this time to assemble simple appreciation gifts and write thank you notes to local school staff. Click to RSVP here

The Sharing Shed
Saturday 2/15/25 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. 923 East Terra Ln. O’Fallon, MO 63366
Our HCC Sharing Shed crew serves every 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to receive donations, clean them. and occasionally help deliver the items or serve as personal shoppers to Sharing Shed Clients. Volunteers are especially needed who can lift and deliver heavy household items. Sign up Here

LO/GS Spring Training
Thursday 3/13/25 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe
This training is for anyone serving in Local Outreach, Food Pantry, or Guest Services. We will be focusing on safety. SCAAD will be here to demonstrate basic lifesaver CPR. We will have a brief training from our Security Team on what to do in the event of an emergency. We will also have tips and tricks on how to de-escalate and manage difficult conversations. RSVP here

Safe Families Training #1 & #2
Safe Families Core Training Monday 3/24/25 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe
Host Family Training Monday 3/31/25 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mission Cafe

Bethany Christian- Safe Families is hosting two in-person trainings at HCC on March 24th and March 31st from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Mission Cafe.
For anyone wanting to serve as a Family Friend either for Safe Families or to support HCC families, you need to complete Safe Families Core Training on March 24th. Click this link to sign up for Core Training. For anyone wanting to serve as a Host Family for Safe Families, you will need to complete the Core Training on March 24th and the Host Family training on March 31st. Click the previous link to sign up for Core Training. In addition click this link to sign up for Host Family Training.
The Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Family Friends and Host Families will need to be completed online. Email Madison Witte to enroll in the Sexual Abuse Prevention Training. Feel free to email Madison Witte from Safe Families, mwitte@bethany.org, for any additional information about what Safe Families is, what a Host Family does, or the critical importance of a Family Friend.

Prayers
Pray for one specific neighbor to be curious about your faith.
Pray for God to provide an opportunity for you to share a message of hope and love.
Pray for God to raise up a HCC member to serve as the Hackmann Rd Early Childhood Crew Leader.
Pray for HCC members to form a consister serving crew at Hackmann Rd Early Childhood.
Pray for God to raise up a HCC member to serve as the Becky David Crew Leader.
Pray for the health and healing of so many of our Local Outreach and Food Pantry volunteers.
Pray Local Outreach volunteers will not slip into humanitarian tasks but will boldly unleash the hope of Jesus through justice and generosity.

Resources for you to grow in your faith and Become more and more like Jesus through service

More Ways to Stay in the 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 into the app. At the bottom right hand corner click “More.” On the next screen click “Groups.” Click on any group you are assigned to see the calendar, and messaging 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

January 25, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, GiveHope, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach

Reflections after our first Warming Center Experience

I don’t know if there are human words to express what we experienced this week hosting the overnight EWR Warming Center for our unhoused neighbors. Over 4 nights that dropped below the threshold of 20 degrees, HCC provided 115 beds to our homeless neighbors. As the temperatures plummeted outside it forced some of God’s most beautiful creations to come inside to us I’m not even sure how to organize my thoughts here to share our experiences.

I sway between being in awe and humility of God entrusting us with these people. I am grieved and saddened that God’s creations are so marginalized and so unseen. I swing back to being so proud of our volunteers stepping into the unknown and the uncomfortableness and watching them love and serve. I am blown away by God’s provision not only for us in the facilities that we have, and services we have and the generosity of Harvester Christian folk through our Give Hope campaigns to His provision and our volunteers of providing energy, stamina, and love. We had young adults to retired folk provide hot meals and drinks. We had our neighbors at O’Fallon Christian help us with all the pounds of laundry and packing the trailer. We had Harvester volunteers in the thick of their own battles step in to serve. We had volunteers sacrifice sleep all night and then go work a full-time job the next day.

I don’t want to say that we provided shelter for our homeless neighbors because I think that puts a worldly understanding of a human being in your mind which is probably inaccurate. When I say the word homeless, I think we tend to jump to preconceived ideas and judgments about why someone might be in that situation. I could tell you that we served addicts. I could tell you that we served convicts. I could tell you that we served the mentally ill. I could tell you we served veterans. I could tell you that we served women who had experienced horrific sexual abuse and domestic violence but those are labels that limit and do not give honor to God’s creation. These are His people who were fearfully and wonderfully made who are just as lost and wounded as you and I. I will tell you instead that God provided us the opportunity to serve men and women and sons and daughters and husbands and wives. I can tell you that God provided the opportunity for us to serve someone’s child.

The final night that we were activated I was running on fumes. I’d had extremely little sleep all week long. Every day I was struggling to find the right number of volunteers, and food, and replace things that we had run out of while trying to take care of myself and my family as well. I rushed around getting the laundry and trying to have things ready for our volunteers as they arrived. As I pulled into the church parking lot the song “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake came on Joy FM. If you know me at all you know that this song absolutely wrecks me and brings me to tears. I reached up to turn the volume down and said “Lord, Really? Gratitude? I cannot do this right now. I cannot break down. I have to keep going for the volunteers, our guests, and you!” The Lord’s response to me was,

“Baby girl, you know that you were never meant to do this on your own. I need you to remember to start and stop with gratitude. Don’t be just grateful that you are not homeless. Don’t be grateful that you do have a warm home to go to. Don’t be grateful that in the event of a major life crisis, you would have safety net after safety net after safety net. Don’t be grateful that you have insurance and that you are healthy. Don’t be grateful that you don’t have to sleep in your car. Be grateful for who I am and who I say I am and the things that I have done and will do.”

Talk about perspective.

The coming days, weeks, months, and potentially years will be challenging as a community to provide resources to serve a variety of people. Whether it’s people dealing with mental illness, homelessness, job loss, a family with a child with autism or cerebral palsy, or people trying to acquire job skills. It will be tempting to hunker down for all the things God showed me I was holding onto. It will be tempting to allow Satan to convince us to shield our eyes, to guard our hearts, to proceed in ignorance and judgment, to ignore the issues, and to go along with the status quo. My prayer for us after this week is that we won’t be able to help ourselves in serving others no matter the cost. My prayer is that we will all cooperate with the Holy Spirit and not assume it is the church’s responsibility to provide an event or program. My prayer is that when it is the most uncomfortable, when it is the most unknown we will turn to God first and trust him to guide our steps and to provide wisdom and discernment. I pray we will be obedient to the Greatest Commandment of Loving God and Loving Others. I pray as Harvester Christians that we would continue to live out justice and generosity in our families, literal neighborhoods, in Saint Charles County, and across the globe.

December 18, 2024

in Child Welfare, GiveHope, Jesus, Local, Mental Health, Ministry Partner, Outreach, Uncategorized

*Click here to check out some great pics from last year’s Family Retreat!

Local Outreach Ministry Partner Spotlight: Joni & Friends

This is one of my favorite times of the year. We ask each of our Local Outreach partners to send brief impact reports back to us. This allows us to glimpse what God is doing to unleash hope in our community through your generous Give Hope gifts. This week we are spotlighting our ministry partners Joni & Friends. Be sure not to skip over the success story section!

Joni and Friends

What is one specific way Harvester Christian Church’s GIVE HOPE financial contributions or in-kind donations have unleashed hope in your organization or to the community through your organization?

The funds gifted to Joni and Friends helped us reach individuals and families living with disabilities and allowed us to serve and care for them through our Retreats and Getaway outreaches. Our Family Retreat in August was our most impactful event. Families living with disabilities were welcomed, cared for, and loved on in a fully accessible, fully inclusive environment. God’s presence was felt throughout the week, and our families were refreshed and filled with the love of Christ.

Without sharing identifying information, please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church.

There are many success stories to share. One specific story is about a family from the St. Charles County area. This family has a recently divorced single mom, a 16-year-old typically developed daughter and a 13-year-old daughter with Down syndrome. The mother was very hesitant about attending, as was her oldest daughter. But one of our other families convinced them to come and try it. On the first day, they were very shy and withdrawn. But each day, we could see them becoming more and more at ease and enjoying themselves. By the fourth and fifth day, they fully participated in worship, and activities, and the youngest daughter with Down syndrome participated in our talent show. The mother stated the family retreat experience was amazing – it restored their family after going through a tough season, strengthened their faith, and gave them a community of other families that live with disability.

What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?

We need volunteers to serve at our Family Retreat in August and our Warrior Getaway in November. For those interested in an out-of-country mission trip, we need volunteers for our Wheels for the World outreach to the Philippines in June.

Please list any upcoming non-fundraising events your organization is hosting in the next 90 days.

We will have a Church network meeting for disability ministry leaders and volunteers in St. Louis on January 14th, and in St. Charles on March 11th.

What is a future program or project that could benefit from Harvester Christian GIVE HOPE funds?

2025 Family Retreat, 2025 Marriage Getaway, 2025 Warrior Getaway

What is the estimated cost of this future program or project?

The total cost for these outreaches comes to about $75,000.

How can we pray for your organization, staff, volunteers, clients, and community your organization serves?

Please pray for the families we serve, asking God to continue to give them the strength, stamina, and energy needed to be the caretakers for their family members with disabilities. Please pray for God to send us the volunteers needed, and for the financial means to continue to do ministry well.

What is one thing Harvester Christian can do to improve how we serve your organization?

Encourage volunteers to serve with us in ministry.

December 9, 2024

in Discipleship, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach, Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Shannon Sebastian

Meet Shannon Sebastian, a dedicated Local Outreach volunteer at Harvester Christian Church who humbly embodies a heart for service. While volunteers like Shannon rarely seek the spotlight, we believe it’s important to highlight how God is moving through individuals to transform our community. Shannon’s commitment to unleashing the hope of Jesus shines through in her faithful service, and her story serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of generosity and compassion. Let’s celebrate what God is doing through Shannon and the ripple effects of her faithful work in our local outreach efforts!

Where do you serve with Local Outreach?

Food Pantry, pack a pack. Tree House of Greater St Louis

How are your gifts and talents used in this service?

I love doing anything that I know is going to help kids. I also love to organize so packing backpacks for back to school and packing food for the schools is my jam! Also, I have been around horses most of my life so working at Tree House was working with therapy horses and kids. The looks on the kids’ faces when they were riding was all I needed to know I was where I was supposed to be.

What inspired you to start volunteering with Harvester Christian Church Local Outreach?

I started volunteering at HHC when my kids were little, I worked in the nursery. I worked full time back then so Sunday was pretty much the only day I didn’t work and I felt that I wanted to know the people I was going to church with and be part of the community. Over the past several years I have been fortunate to have more free time, so I have been able to do more with Food Pantry and the Pack a Pack programs.

How has serving impacted your personal relationship with Jesus?

I feel like God knew where I needed to be. I always knew I wanted to serve but wasn’t sure where. He pointed me in the right direction because He knew where my passion for kids would be put to good use.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for Local Outreach at Harvester?

Do it!! There are so many opportunities, find what calls you. So many people think they don’t have time, it doesn’t take much to make an impact on a person in need. Once you start, you will want to do more! Get involved as a family or a couple, it can start all kinds of amazing conversations.

How do you see God working through the Local Outreach efforts at Harvester?

HCC is such a generous church. I have seen individuals and groups at our church do good things in the community and around the world. God knows that and He points us in the direction of where He knows we will share our love of Jesus and lead others to follow Him.

November 21, 2024

in HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, School Outreach, The Sharing Shed, Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Katy Pursell!

At Harvester Christian Church, we know that our volunteers don’t serve for recognition—they serve out of love for Jesus and a desire to make a difference. But we can’t help but celebrate how God is working through their faithfulness to unleash hope in St. Charles County. This week, we’re shining a light on one of our incredible volunteers, not to highlight their efforts alone, but to showcase the ways God uses ordinary people to bring extraordinary transformation in our community.

Meet Katy Pursell!

Where do you serve with Local Outreach?

Local school outreach. Katy also coordinates and leads all of our Teacher/Staff Appreciation Cards and Gifts.

How are your gifts and talents used in this service?

Organization, writing cards, being an extra set of hands wherever needed.

What inspired you to start volunteering with Harvester Christian Church Local Outreach?

During the “Become a Great Church” series, I felt pulled to help people to find and follow Jesus. I had been putting off what I was capable of to stay comfortable. I realized that my heart needed to open to others. Jesus told me it was time to step out of my comfort zone and spread His word through my actions.

How has serving impacted your personal relationship with Jesus?

I have a whole new perspective of community. Serving has created a stronger connection to the people around me. I have realized that serving others, helping spread joy, and showing people the love of Jesus through actions takes priority over my own personal comfort of staying in the background.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for Local Outreach at Harvester?

Step out of your comfort zone. You may learn a lot about yourself while helping others to find and follow Jesus. You will grow closer to Christ as he works through you by helping others.

How do you see God working through the Local Outreach efforts at Harvester?

Serving provides a physical representation of God within the community. For some, It may be the first or only representation that they have experienced. Every time we express God’s love, through our actions,it could guide someone to Him. Planted seeds will grow.

October 24, 2024

in HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, Serve Teams