Local

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!

September 30, 2025

in Church, HCC, Local, Outreach, Upcoming Events

September 2025 Newsletter

Who Is My Neighbor?

In Luke 10, a man asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” hoping to justify himself. Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story that reminds us that our “neighbor” is not limited by proximity, similarity, or convenience. Instead, our neighbor is anyone in need, and love is demonstrated not just with words but through presence, compassion, and action.

As followers of Jesus, we don’t get to choose our neighbors. God places people in our path daily—at schools, workplaces, our community, and even across our social media feeds. The question is: will we stop, notice, and serve? Will we choose to see each and every person we encounter in person or online as someone made in the image of God? This fall, let’s open our eyes to see our neighbors as Jesus sees them, and be ready to respond with His love.

October Opportunities to Serve

Do you know someone who is looking to get plugged in at Harvester through serving? Send them this link to get the conversation started! ==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/265/responses/new

Black Cat Coffee Cafe Pop Up

Date: Saturday, October 11 | 9:00–12:00 a.m.
Location: Mission Cafe- enter through the South Entrance
Although there is no serving opportunity with this event, it is a great chance for you to bring a friend to the Mission Cafe and be served by teens and young adults living with disabilities as they gain vocational skills with hands-on experience in a welcoming, supportive environment. All treats and drinks are complimentary. Cash-only tips are welcome to support the Coffee Crew.

The Sharing Shed Saturday Crew

Date: Saturday, October 19 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO
Serve by receiving donations, shopping with clients, delivering furniture, and offering encouragement.

Monthly Pray & Prep

*Dates: October 13 & 20 *Note change from October 6
Location: Annex Lobby enter through Door 10
Serve by praying over our local schools, students, teachers, and administrators. Make and write cards of encouragement. Prep for holiday gifts to teachers.
RSVP through the School Outreach Calendar in the Harvester app

Multiply: Living Out The Great Commission

Dates: Sundays, October 19- November 9 | 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: TBD on HCC St Charles Campus
In this four-week group, we will dive into a different topic each week. We will learn about God’s heart for the lost and what He has asked us, his people, to do! We will spend time identifying the lost, what our role is in praying, how we make disciples, and what our next steps are. There will also be optional times of sharing/FISHing together in the community to live out what we have learned each week. If you have questions regarding this group, please reach out to Grace Gischer, ggischer@harvester.cc
Sign up here==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/722/responses/new

Unhoused Solutions Book Discussion- Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call To End Homelessness

Date: Monday, October 20 | 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Location: Carissa’s home
Whether you have read the book or not, join us as we discuss how to demystify homelessness and how we reimagine our theological approach to these matters.

The Sharing Shed YAM Crew

Date: Wednesday, October 22 | 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location: 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO
Serve by receiving donations, shopping with clients, delivering furniture, and offering encouragement.

Did you know?

Good Neighbor Serve Crew receives requests from HCC members and our neighbors to help with things like moving, mowing, simple repairs, and landscaping. Needs are posted in this group and grabbed as schedules and skills allow. Want to be added to the group? Email Jillian at jhohensee@harvester.cc

We are actively recruiting volunteers to serve at Faith Haven House in the afternoons and evenings, 3rd-grade math tutors at Central Elementary, regular monthly serve team volunteers for Becky David and Hackmann Rd EC, and chaplains at the Child Advocacy Center. Email Carissa at cfiggins@harvester.cc if you are interested in any of these options.

Our Foster/Adoptive Parent Group is growing! If you are a foster parent or adoptive parent at HCC, let us know so we can add you to that group for support, prayers, and LOVE!

Food Pantry and Food Backpack Ministry recipient numbers are growing almost weekly! Please keep those recipients in your prayers, as many of them are navigating the need for programs and services for the first time.

We may be ready for cooler weather, but perhaps not the dangerously cold weather coming in a few months. We are getting ready for the week our EWR volunteers host the Warming Center in January for our unhoused neighbors. If you have never served in this capacity and you’re wondering where you fit in, let’s chat! Schedule time with me by clicking on this link! ==>Book time with Carissa Figgins

Whenever you serve and wherever you serve, PLEASE CHECK IN ON THE HARVESTER app. We need this information for safety and security reasons. We also need to track the number of volunteers that serve in Local Outreach, whether it is the food pantry, school outreach, EWR, Sharing Shed, or any other ministry at HCC. If you are unsure how to do this, just ask!

Mark your calendars for our final LO/GS Gathering on November 13. Everyone who serves with Local Outreach, Food Pantry, and Guest Services is coming together for a fellowship meal, brief training, and to hear the vision for 2026. RSVP today using this link! ==> https://harvestercc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/584/responses/new

Discipleship Reflection

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, He ended with this command: “Go and do likewise.” As you think about the weeks ahead, consider this question:

What might it look like for me to “go and do likewise” for the neighbor God places in front of me today?

Pray for eyes to see, a heart that responds, and hands that serve.

Stay Connected

Visit harvesterccoutreach.org for updates, information, and devotionals. serving opportunities. Follow our Facebook page for serving opportunities too!

Together, let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus—answering the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with action, compassion, and love.

September 25, 2025

in Church, DTOTD, Guest Services, Local, Outreach, Serve Teams

Leadership Lessons from the Lightkeeper

Years ago, there was a lighthouse keeper on a rugged stretch of coastline. He was given just enough oil each month to keep the light burning through the nights. The light wasn’t for him—it was for sailors out at sea who depended on it for safety. He had one job—you guessed it- keep the light burning. Pretty straightforward, right? Don’t let ships crash into the rocks. Not complicated. But the guy was super nice. Maybe too nice. The neighbors would show up:

“Hey, can I borrow some oil for my lamp?”

- “Sure, no problem.”

“I need a little for cooking.”

- “Of course, anything for you.”

“My tractor’s squeaky, think a little lamp oil will help?”

- “Absolutely, take all you need.”

By the end of the month, guess what? Yep—the oil tank’s bone dry. And wouldn’t you know it, the night he runs out just so happens to be the stormiest night of the year. The lighthouse goes dark, ships slam into the rocks, and chaos ensues.

And when the authorities ask him what happened, he’s like, “Well… I was being helpful! People needed me! I didn’t want to let them down. I didn’t want to make them mad at me. It was easier if I did it than if someone else did, I was called to do these tasks, I was meeting needs!”

Except—his actual job was to keep the light burning.

And that’s leadership in the church, isn’t it? Everyone wants just a little more oil from you. Everyone’s got just one request this one time. And as leaders, we’re tempted to say yes to everything, because it feels good to be needed. And as leaders, we think we can handle all the extra responsibilities. But if we forget the one job—keeping the light of Jesus burning bright—then the whole thing falls apart.

There are some lessons to learn from the Lighthouse Keeper.

Leadership is both a privilege and a weight. Weariness can creep in—there will always be another need, another event, another demand, not enough people. We have the weight of temptation. We can start to wonder if the work matters, or can someone else do this, or to say yes to everything. Satan may convince us we are the only ones doing the work or we are the only one with this calling.

This is why it is crucial to listen to what God says to combat Satan’s lies. Galatians 6:9 reminds us that our labor is not in vain; God will bring a harvest in His time. 1 John 3:17–18 tells us that leadership gives opportunities to love with action, not just words. We read in Hebrews 10:24–25 that we lead as part of a body; we are not the entire body, we inspire and encourage one another and would be nothing without each other. Finally we land on Romans 12:11–12 – “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Cheerfully expectant, don’t quit in hard times. “

How do we keep ourselves fueled and aflame as leaders with the ultimate responsibility of keeping the light burning for Jesus?

Keep pointing teams toward loving God first. We lead others to find and follow Jesus by living a compassionate, Christ-centered life, praying for guidance and preparation in others’ hearts. We build genuine relationships with the people He places in our lives both inside the walls and outside the walls of Harvester. We humbly share the Gospel message of God’s love, sin, salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice, and eternal life. This is our greatest responsibility, and this is what we need to be obedient to before anything else.

Keep reminding your teams that loving neighbors matters deeply. If the teams you lead run into difficult people or messy complicated lives Satan will tempt them into turning away with apathy or fear or responding in anger or frustration. Loving each other is the key to what God has truly called all of us to.

Know your purpose in God- why do you do what you do – is it to please man or is it to please God? We find our purpose by seeking God’s guidance through prayer, studying the Bible for wisdom, and using our spiritual gifts to honor God in service to others.

Pause before saying yes, seek God first- high-capacity volunteers and leaders are typically able to do more than others. However, that does not mean that God necessarily wants you to do more. Seek His will first. Don’t rush to the yes.

Lead from a place of rest– not from a place where you have to rest. Truly godly leaders prioritize rhythms of rest and Sabbath. Listen to yourself. If you are constantly saying how busy you are, if you are always running late, if your conversation is all about how you are tired, how exhausted you are, you may have prioritized the God of Busyness and bringing attention to yourself rather than from a place of rest where you can be the light to show people who Jesus is.

Keep praying—for endurance, joy, and unity. Praying without ceasing reminds us not to rely on our own strength, our own understanding, or wisdom. Praying for yourself to follow Jesus, for your team to help people to find and follow Jesus, and for the people they are serving to come to know how much Jesus loves them allows God to increase our faith and trust in Him.

Trust the promise: There will be a harvest. God calls us to join in the work as laborers. But we are not responsible for the harvest. We cannot put our place in God’s place. God directly oversees the growth and the outcome. He just calls us to be obedient to Him.

Keep the light burning- do the one job of managing the challenge of leadership through posture, pausing before saying yes, rest, prayer, and trusting the promises of God.

August 29, 2025

in HCC, Jesus, Local, Mental Health, Outreach

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 30, 2025

in HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach, Serve Teams

Local Outreach July 2025 Newsletter

Hey oh!!!

What a wonderful summer we have had so far with the Good Neighbor Challenge! It has been encouraging to see committed volunteers regularly serving their neighbors. We have also seen new faces stepping out in faith and trusting God to learn more about what it means to Love God and Love Others. It has been great to see our O’Fallon campus crews come together through serving our neighbors! August will continue to be jampacked, but before we jump there, let’s take a look back on what God did through all of us in July.

July ReCap

We started the month with daily Good Neighbor Challenges. If you signed up, you know these came as daily texts with a scripture and prayer to help us focus on the art of neighboring. It also included a basic Love Your Neighbor challenge. Some of mine included dropping a note at a neighbor’s house and letting them know how much I appreciated the effort they put into their yard and garden. Another one was dropping off some produce from my garden, and a recipe for the zucchini. I also went on several prayer walks to different places around St Charles County where I regularly spend time.

Then we jumped right into Good Neighbor Serving Opportunities with Pack A Pack, Boys and Girls Club Back to School Bashes. To date HCC has provided over 600 backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club and shared 40 more with our Troy campus. Shoutout to Gina and David Aubuchon serving for the first time as Event Crew Leaders at the O’Fallon Unit, and Ronda Grigg serving again as the Event Crew Leader for the St Charles Unit. We had a new serving opportunity this year of card-making. Local Outreach writes and sends out hundreds of cards every year to our local school teachers and ministry partners. It was a blast to see HCC members using their spiritual gifts of creativity, encouragement, and hospitality. Nancy Picker and her bible study regularly make cards and we didn’t know it. They didn’t know that we write and send cards. It was a blessing to come together, make new friends and connections, all to glory God to our neighbors.

In addition to many more Good Neighbor Serving Opportunities in July, such as serving our community and ministry partners of REACH St Charles, the Child Advocacy Center, Love the Lou, we are also providing a worship service for the first time to the Boulevards Memory Care on July 30. We are also hosting a Blood Drive on Thursday, July 31 from 1-5 p.m. Donors are still needed. You can register to donate here or just walk in. Check below for more Good Neighbor Serving Opportunities coming up in August.

HCC Cooling Center

In the middle of all these serving opportunities, HCC Local Outreach was activated as a Cooling Center as part of the county-wide Emergency Weather Response Team. HCC is on call this summer July 27-August 2 and August 17-30. When the temperature is forecasted as a heat advisory of 100 degrees for two plus days we will open the Annex Lobby for our unhoused guests. We provide snacks, water, and Gatorade. But the biggest thing I have seen our volunteers provide this week is just conversation. Our guests have enjoyed just normal human interactions rather than crisis interactions. We have prayed every day to be a place of peace and to be people of peace. The Holy Spirit’s presence has been so evident. If you would like to learn more of serving with our Emergency Weather Response Team either during the day this summer or overnight this winter, just send me an email at cfiggins@harvester.cc.

Our Spiritual Gifts to Guide Our Serving

Pastor Nick mentioned the opportunity to take a Spiritual Gifts Assessment in a recent sermon. The S.H.A.P.E. test helps pull out what your spiritual gifts, heart abilities, personality, and experiences are. I am a sucker for any type of personality test, leadership test, or what shade of nail polish test, so I was really looking forward to seeing the results of this spiritual gifts assessment. I knew my gifts were centered in pastoring, equipping and empowering others, visioning, and empathy. What surprised me with the S.H.A.P.E. test was the names of the spiritual gifts. I realized I had been leaning more on the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) rather than my actual gifting. My top gift was Mercy. In general, this gift is the ability to empathize with and compassionately respond to those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, and then move to practical acts of service and support. I knew this area is my happy spot- the place I feel the closest reliance on God and the place where I find the most fulfillment. But the term mercy caught me up. That took me on a deeper dive into scripture that mentions mercy. I loved the reminders of receiving God’s mercy, and freely giving out mercy were lovely. I encourage you to sign in to the S.H.A.P.E. test with your Harvester account so your results are linked to your profile. Then you always have access to it, but it’s also incredibly helpful for all ministries to search for certain gifts and experiences to guide you towards serving opportunities that honor the Holy Spirit’s gifts in your life. You can find the link to S.H.A.P.E. here.

Upcoming Serving Opportunities– Just a note: it’s very important to sign up for events and not just show up. In many situations, there is a specific number of roles available, but in some situations, serving opportunities have to change location, time, or date. When you register for a serving event, we have everyone’s contact information in one spot, and we can effectively communicate to you serving opportunity details. If you need help accessing groups, schedules, or sign-ups, let me know, and we can sit down, and I can walk you through that either on your laptop or your phone.

Good Neighbor Serving Opportunities– Click here to see the Good Neighbor landing page. Complete the top part of the form to be able to scroll through serving opportunities on pages 2 and 3. Below are the remaining Good Neighbor Serving Opportunities. Italized opportunities need the most volunteers.

Thursday July 31, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Donate blood in HCC Worship Lobby

Friday August 1, 5 pm. – 7 p.m. The Sparrow’s Nest Children’s Center

Saturday August 2, 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Faith Haven House

Sunday August 3, 7 p.m. St Charles Campus Prayer Walk

Monday August 4, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Barnwell Middle School Spruce Up

Tuesday August 5, 4:30 pm.-6:30 pm. Harvest Ridge Elementary Spruce Up

Wednesday August 6, Harvest Ridge Elementary Back to School Bash

Thursday, August 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Love the Lou Tornado Relief

Friday August 8, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 pm. Good Neighbor Market

Saturday, August 9, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Welcome Jasper Apartment Residents to the Neighborhood

Sunday, August 10, REACH St Charles Pop Up

Monday, August 11, 7:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. Harvest Ridge Elementary Back to School Breakfast for Teachers

Tuesday August 12, 3- 6 p.m. Francis Howell North High School Immunization Clinic

Upcoming School Outreach Serving Opportunities- If you have expressed interest in or have served at a school event, you are in the School Outreach group. You can access the calendar and sign up for that group. If you are interested in serving at a school event, please email jhohensee@harvester.cc, and she can add you to that group.

Monday August 11 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Pray & Prep, card making and card writing for schools

Friday August 15 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Becky David Back to School Breakfast for Teachers– FULL

Friday August 15 11:30 a.m. Barnwell Back to School Lunch for Teachers

Saturday August 16 9 am. -11 am. The Sharing Shed

Sunday August 17- Saturday August 30 HCC on call as Cooling Center, shifts 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday August 24 1 p.m.Local Outreach/Guest Service Potluck Lunch in lower level of offices – more information coming

July 16, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, Serve Teams, Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Job Description: The Sharing Shed Volunteer

Volunteer Job Description: The Sharing Shed Volunteer

Position Title: The Sharing Shed Volunteer

Service Schedule: 3rd Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Location: 923 E Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO 63366

Purpose:

Serve the community by supporting The Sharing Shed’s mission to provide essential household items to those in need.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Key Responsibilities:

Receive donations of household goods and ensure items are properly logged.
Clean and prepare donated items for distribution.
Assist clients in shopping for household items.
Deliver furniture and larger items to client homes.
Assist clients with assembling furniture and other items as needed.
Maintain a welcoming and supportive environment for all clients.

Qualifications:

Commitment to the mission and values of Harvester Christian Church.
Membership at Harvester Christian Church and completion of Belong and/or Discover Harvester class is highly recommended but not required.
Ability to lift at least 10 lbs.
Willingness to work outside at times and engage in physical activity.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Dependability and punctuality for scheduled volunteer shifts.

Additional Information:

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity and outdoor work.
Training will be provided to ensure volunteers are equipped to handle tasks effectively.
This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity on the 3rd Saturday of each month, and regular participation is encouraged to build relationships and consistency in service.

Reporting to: Sharing Shed Crew Leader

Contact:

For more information or to sign up, please contact

Carissa Figgins

Local Outreach Pastor

cfiggins@harvester.cc

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 23, 2025

in Church, Discipleship, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, Serve Teams

June 2025 Newsletter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayers:

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

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

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

June 17, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, Community Partner, GiveHope, HCC, Local, Outreach

Community Partner Spotlight: REACH St Charles

This week, we have another installment to spotlight one of our Community Partners and share the impact of HCC members’ generous giving in the community. This week, we are highlighting REACH St Charles. The goal of Reach St. Charles is to connect Our goal is to connect individuals in St. Charles County with resources to address their specific need(s), on a case-by-case basis. REACh St Charles provides food boxes, holiday meal boxes, distribute meals, supplies, and clothing to the homeless, and contact organizations and agencies to help meet various needs as they arise. We are especially proud of REACH St Charles founders, Lisa Davis and Stacey Enders, who are active Harvester Christian members! Read on and pray about how you might support REACH St Charles as they connect to our neighbors in need.

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

We have been able to help feed the community members who are facing food insecurity. It’s been rewarding to see how our efforts are making a positive impact, and we’re committed to continuing this vital work.

If Harvester Christians have served at your organization, what impact have they had on the community you serve?

*This summer, we are excited to partner with Harvester volunteers for the first time. We look forward to meeting the families who are experiencing food insecurity and working together to make a difference in their lives. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect and support our community!

Please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church. Specific identifying information is not needed

Here is a great testimony from some of REACH St Charles recipients: First, I want to say thanks to Lisa and Stacey with the Reach St. Charles Program. My name is Dwuan & my wife is Ms. Nancy Session. We are newlyweds from Saint Louis. We have lived here for two years now. Here recently, I fell on hard times, losing my job. We fell short on food, and I reached out to Reach St. Charles, and they were right there for us, providing us with fresh food etc. to help get us by, and I am truly grateful for them. Amen. May God continue to bless them and the Reach St. Charles program.

The Session Family

What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?

*Our deck, which provides access to the second-floor offices and the main entrance, is in poor condition. We would greatly appreciate any individuals with carpentry skills and access to materials who could lend a hand. Your support would make a significant difference in helping us improve this essential area!

Please list any upcoming NON-fundraising events your organization is hosting in the next 90 days. These could be tours, meet n greets, trainings, etc.

We are excited to announce that we are planning to open our market, host PopUp events, 2nd annual Scholarship Program, and kick off Lindenwood Outreach, all leading up to our Grand Opening this fall. We can’t wait to share these initiatives with the community.

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

The Reach Market is almost complete! We are actively seeking food donations to stock the market, including fresh vegetables, produce, and dairy items. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and would help us provide vital resources to our community.

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

Due to the initial stages of launching this program, we are unable to specify an exact funding amount at this time. The financial support needed will largely depend upon us seeking out additional funding sources, such as grants and donations, to cover these costs so that we can assist the number of families in our community experiencing hardship due to economic challenges and societal factors. As we gather more information and assess the specific needs of those we aim to serve, we will be better positioned to determine a more precise figure. Please let us know if you need further clarification.

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

Please pray that we can find contributors for our market, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. We also ask for prayers for our team, to remain inspired with creative ideas to support our mission. Your prayers mean a lot to us as we work together to make a difference!

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

We truly appreciate your continued support of our initiatives aimed at helping families in need. Your encouragement means so much to us, and together we can make a lasting impact in our community. Thank you for standing with us in this important work!

Any additional thoughts, questions, opinions, comments, or feedback?

We cannot thank you enough for everything you do to support organizations that help make our community a true reflection of the hands and feet of Jesus. Your efforts are instrumental in bringing people closer to Him and fostering a spirit of love and compassion.

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*If you are interested in serving with REACH St Charles during the upcoming Good Neighbor Challenge, you can see all the serving opportunities here===>https://harvester.cc/goodneighbor

June 12, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, Child Welfare, Community Partner, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach

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.

June 6, 2025

in Alleviation of Poverty, GiveHope, HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed

Ministry Partner Spotlight: The Sharing Shed

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

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

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

We have been incredibly blessed to count Harvester among the very few churches, just two—that support us with consistent financial contributions. Your partnership through Give Hope has truly allowed The Sharing Shed to flourish.

Because of this support, we’ve become a cornerstone for local agencies and churches that rely on us to help families recovering from abuse, mental health challenges, homelessness, and other life transitions. Our role is to provide essential household items that help families move toward independence and sustainable living. Your generosity directly supports these efforts.

Give Hope funding has also made it possible to complete our long-awaited renovations, transforming our space into one that reflects our values—serving families with dignity. The Shed has always been filled with warm, welcoming volunteers, and now, thanks to you, our environment reflects that same warmth and care.

Harvester has become a safety net that helps us stay mission-focused. When we run low on critical items, Give Hope funds allow us to quickly respond and fill the gap—whether it’s bunk beds, mattresses, vacuums, or simple essentials like pillows, sheets, trash cans, or cookie sheets. These items may seem small, but they bring immense comfort, dignity, and stability to the families we serve.

If Harvester Christians have served at your organization, what impact have they had on the community you serve?

The volunteers from Harvester continue to be a vital part of the work we do at The Sharing Shed. Month after month, they show up with compassion, dedication, and a heart for service—bringing hope and dignity to every family they encounter.

Their attention to detail ensures that families not only receive what they need, but feel seen and cared for. Whether it’s helping choose the perfect bed for a child or selecting a kitchen table that makes a house feel like a home, Harvester’s volunteers consistently go above and beyond.

But their service goes deeper than just meeting physical needs. Through prayer, kind words, and genuine encouragement, they pour into each family’s spirit—reminding them that they are not alone and that they matter. Their impact is felt far beyond the moment of service, and we’re deeply grateful for the way they help us carry out our mission with such love and grace.

Please share a brief client-success or services-success story we can share with Harvester Christian Church. Specific identifying information is not needed.

The impact of the services provided by The Sharing Shed is truly life-changing. Every week, we see firsthand how essential household items can restore dignity, bring hope, and help families move forward. Here are just a few recent stories that show how your support is making a difference: A gentleman who had been homeless for three years recently secured housing and was working to reunite with his three children. He came to us needing everything. We were able to provide him with beds, dressers, living room furniture, a kitchen table and chairs, bedding, bath linens, and all the kitchen essentials he needed. He was overjoyed—not just for the items, but because he could now welcome his children into a real home. He couldn’t wait for them to see the space and feel safe and settled.

We also served a family of four who had recently moved from Cuba. After living with a host family for a year, they finally found a place of their own. The Sharing Shed helped them turn their house into a home with furniture and household essentials. The mother was overwhelmed with gratitude. She said she had never heard of an organization that helps people like this and couldn’t believe the kindness she was receiving from complete strangers. Another mother came to us after escaping an abusive relationship. She was starting over with her two boys and had nothing. Through The Sharing Shed, she was able to furnish their new apartment and meet their basic needs. She told us she had no idea how she was going to provide for her children—and broke down in tears as she realized she finally could. It was a powerful reminder of how far a little help can go in restoring stability and hope. These stories are just a glimpse into the lives that are being changed thanks to Harvester’s continued support. Your generosity is helping families rebuild, recover, and thrive.

What existing volunteer needs can we share with Harvester Christians?

Harvester currently serves at The Sharing Shed on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9-11 AM, helping families in need select furniture and household items. Additional help is also needed for furniture pickups during this time. We’re also excited to offer a new serving opportunity for Harvester’s Young Adult Group! They’ll be serving families on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 6-8 PM, starting in June and July. Whether it’s loading furniture, organizing donations, or offering encouragement to families, these are great ways to make a meaningful impact. We’d love to have you join us! We are also looking for a volunteer to help with our administrative duties, and 2 new team leaders for our warehouse on the first and second Monday nights. Training is required.

Please list any upcoming NON-fundraising events your organization is hosting in the next 90 days. These could be tours, meet n greets, trainings, etc.

The Sharing Shed will be hosting a 10-Year Anniversary and Remodel Celebration on Friday, June 21st, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. This special event will honor our ongoing partnership with Harvester Christian Church and highlight the transformation of our facility. Guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, take guided tours of our newly renovated space, and connect with board members to learn more about how to get involved. We also welcome donations of hygiene items, which will directly benefit the families we serve.

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

We are currently exploring the option of wrapping our pickup and delivery truck to help increase awareness of our services throughout the community.

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

Wrap would cost between $2,000 and $3,000 depending on package option

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

We are deeply thankful for your willingness to pray for The Sharing Shed. Your prayers are a vital part of the support that sustains our team, our volunteers, and the families we serve. Please pray for clarity and discernment as we continue to grow. As the needs in our community expand, we are seeking God’s guidance in how to respond faithfully—with the right resources, the right people, and a heart rooted in compassion. Pray for our volunteers and staff—that they would be refreshed, encouraged, and filled with wisdom as they serve. Many carry heavy burdens alongside the families they support, and we ask for strength and joy in their work.

Lift up the families who come through our doors, often in times of deep transition and hardship. Pray that they would experience not only the practical help we provide, but also the love, dignity, and hope that reflect the heart of Christ. Finally, pray that The Sharing Shed would continue to be a light in our community—a place where people feel seen, supported, and uplifted, and where God’s love is evident in every interaction. We’re so grateful to know we are being covered in prayer as we continue this important work.

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

Harvester Christian continues to be a tremendous blessing to The Sharing Shed. Your volunteers consistently show up eager to serve, and they do so with kindness, flexibility, and compassion toward our clients. Your leadership—especially through Lisa and now Stephanie with the young adult group—has been outstanding. Communication has been clear and supportive, and we feel truly cared for. At this time, we honestly can’t think of anything you need to do differently. Just continuing to walk alongside us with the same heart and commitment means the world. Thank you for being such a faithful and valued partner in this ministry.

Any additional thoughts, questions, opinions, comments, or feedback?

May 19, 2025

in HCC, Local, Ministry Partner, Outreach