Outreach

Story Teller Series

” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he CHOSE us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In Love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed un in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Ephesians 1:3-7

Adoption.

A topic that has gained steam in my life as I have met more and more families that have entered into this realm. It is a world that I do not fully understand and am not sure if I am ready for. This month, the month of August, it is Adoption/Fostering Awareness month and we have had many families at Harvester Christian Church venture into adoption and the stories of their adoptions are more and more impactful.

Adoption is not a foreign topic to scripture or to God. God has placed the concept of adoption all throughout scripture. Adoption is defined as, the action of taking another life, usually a child, and legally raising it as one of their own. In scripture, Adoption is defined as the reception of a believer into the Family of God.

If you think about it this way, the earthly version of adoption is when a person receives another person, not of their own blood or genealogy, brings them into their home and routine and rhythm and way of life, to raise that person as one of their own. God, the creator of all, is doing the same thing with each and every one of us. When we accept Jesus, God’s son, into our lives, God is adopting us back from the dominion of Satan, to raise us, grow us, teach us, discipline us, bless us, guide us into a thriving and full life with God as the leader of our life.

Some friends of mine, The Dickerson’s, went from a family of 5:

To this, a family of 7:

.Our families were in a life group together during this process that they journeyed through and let me tell you, it was one that was absolutely crazy and fast and so encouraging. I was able to ask Nathan and Brittany some questions about their adoption story. In Brittany’s words……is there a word count requirement? I have had a chance to read all these answers to the questions that they sent back to me and, well I am just going to let you take the time to read them:

Foster and Adopting is something that not everyone thinks about. How did you get your feet into the world of Fostering and Adopting?
- Dickerson’s – I (Brittany) have been drawn to adoption since age 14 when I volunteered in a district preschool. There was a little boy who had just been adopted from Russia. His parents discovered he was deaf and had no way to communicate after he arrived in the U.S., which was tough on the class. I was asked to just have fun with him and give the teacher a break for a bit. From there I’ve always had kids in my life who have been in foster care or been adopted.
- I (Nathan) struggled to consider it seriously until we became friends with a family in our Harvester life group with two adopted kids and two bio kids. They were doing a great job. It helped me grasp a vision for what adoption when we already had three bio kids could look like.
- Later I (Brittany) had some health issues, so there was a five year gap between our second and third kid. We decided that the best way to grow our family was a private adoption to minimize wait time, but it would probably have to be infant adoption because I didn’t want to travel to another country. What we really wanted though was an older child to fill our five year gap. We worked with an adoption consultant who helped us complete the paperwork in three months, and then we presented to 16 different birth moms two months time. We obviously weren’t chosen by these birth moms. But then the boys popped up and we decided on a whim to apply for them. Their birth mom chose us and four days later we were on a plane to pick them up! God had a plan to fill our five year gap all along, with not one but two preschool aged children.
In the process, what were some of the biggest struggles that you faced?
- Dickerson’s
  - Since we thought we were adopting a baby, we didn’t have any training for older kids! None! Outside of a book my friend mailed me the day before we picked up the boys, we knew little of the trauma and grief that adopted kids experience. Our boys are wonderful and really want to love and be loved, but we didn’t always understand them and they didn’t always understand us. They grieved leaving Florida and their birth family more than we expected, which sounds silly to say now. Grief showed up in unexpected ways and we gave them consequences at times that didn’t match what they really needed. But all this helped reveal the areas we were lacking in our parenting even before adopting, and through it we have grown to parent all of our kids better. Consequences and rules MUST be tied to how much we love them and how much we want good for them, every single time we discipline.
  - COVID hit shortly after we adopted and all therapies stopped, not to mention seeing our extended family and friends in person. While it gave us the time to focus on bonding as a family of seven, it was exhausting and lonely. We needed a community, but were too tired and we had too much to learn to do much else.
  - Finding our parenting groove took a while. Adoption books and counselors differ on tactics, and at times we didn’t agree with any of them! It took a while to find therapists and strategies that worked with who we are as parents.
As a dad to 3, Nathan, what were some of your prayers as you navigated the adoption world?
- Nathan – I prayed that our future adoption would be a win-win-win, a win for us, a win for the kids and a win for their birth mom. Ideally adoption is a ministry to both the child and their first family.
As a mom to 3, Brittany, what were some of your prayers as you navigated the adoption world?
- Brittany- The thing that I’ve had to be the most intentional about is loving their birth mom. God made it very clear to me that I was not to judge her. I do not know her whole story and who knows how I would deal with the things she has had to deal with. God made it clear that He loved her and that she was okay with him- that would be enough for me. This idea first came to me on the plane flying to get the boys, and has been reaffirmed as I read scripture these past four years. No matter what anyone says, I am to accept and love her as she is. Sharing the mom role can be hard, especially because we are very different people. She is easy going and I’m more type A with routines and structure for everything, but we try to help the boys see the benefits to both ways and how much they are loved by both of us.
When you got a call that there were boys that were looking for a family, what was your initial response, and did you have any hesitation?
- Dickerson- Yes! We had a lot of hesitation. With private adoption you get almost no information about older children. We were told to ask more questions if we were chosen, but the questions we asked made the adoption agency nervous. She told the boys’ birthmom to pick another family, but 24 hours later, the boys’ mom was steadfast. She still wanted us. We homeschool and like to go on family adventures- and it was all over our adoption photobook. That’s what she wanted for the boys.
- During that 24 hours that we were unsure about our match with the boys, we didn’t sleep at all. Both of us individually had to decide if we could do this with the little info we were given. A short phone call with the birthmom and a couple sentences of information, plus some notes from their latest well check… is that enough? What if things got really bad for our current three kids we were responsible for protecting already? In the end, we knew it was a risk but we thought God was telling us to move ahead. We are so glad we did! I don’t think this is smart in every situation, and I’d probably recommend against it to others, but it’s worked out really really well for all of us.
You have a unique adoption story in that you have made it a point for mom of the boys to still be in their lives….how did you come to the decision?
- Dickerson’s – We never felt like we had a choice to NOT allow her to be part of their lives. God worked things so that we were put in touch with a family adoption counselor BEFORE we adopted (which is unheard of with this specific company) and the counselor told us that their birth mom being able to continue the relationship would allow the boys to feel loved and cared for, instead of being abandoned. The adoption process would still be grieved, but they would grow up with a better sense of belonging. As a mom, I would do anything for my kids’ wellbeing. If having their birth mom in their lives was best, then that’s what we would do! Plus she’s quite wonderful. The boys have so many emotions before, during, and after her visit that she doesn’t necessarily see. We are exhausted before she even arrives dealing with it all. BUT she supports us and encourages us and makes it clear that she thinks we are doing a great job. Slowly we are all starting to feel like one big family.
When you look at scripture, what scriptures stand out to you when it comes to adopting and why?
- Nathan – James says that true religion is caring for orphans and widows in their distress. That call to action didn’t fully sink in until we had friends who had adopted kids and it normalized adoption for me. If they could do it, I couldn’t keep making excuses as to why I wasn’t cut out to adopt.
- Brittany – I love how adoption is all throughout the Bible. The more I learn about attachment and how it works, I’m convinced we all have attachment disorders with God. I’ve seen so many adoptive children go through stages. First they push back against the change. They don’t want anything to do with this new family or way of living! Suddenly they have to eat vegetables, go to bed on time, bathe daily, AND their new family lives somewhere new and even talks or smells different. After a while, they kind of start to like the family, but still don’t trust the family and aren’t sure they like all these rules. Some more time passes and they start to see the benefit of eating regularly and following agreed upon rules, but they still aren’t sure they belong. Finally, they reach a point where they believe they do belong. They still don’t always like the rules (Who does?!), but they know this is their family where they belong and their family wants what is best for them. They trust their parents for good outcomes and know their parents really know who they are deep down. Family is GOOD.
- God IS the adoptive parent in scripture, wanting to help and love us and make everything better. But we just can’t trust him. We don’t think he has our best intentions at heart and we don’t trust that we will like his outcomes. However, His ways ARE best and his outcomes ARE better. We have to do the hard work of sticking around, getting to know God, and learning to trust him, moment by moment, in all things.
What would you say or how would you encourage others to think about the adoption world and process?
- Dickerson’s –
- To people thinking of adopting- God’s fingerprints are all over our story. He picked the time and the boys that were perfect for us. And I hope that they say that we are perfect for them too. Nathan wasn’t always on board with adoption, and God used that to work out the just right timing. If things aren’t lining up and you are feeling impatient, just hold on. God will work things out when the time is right.
- To people who have adopted- It’s amazing the therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, homeschool co-ops, friends, soccer coaches, and more that have been placed in our lives at just the time we needed them. I have friends who I can ask to pray and within hours, whatever I asked them to pray for is better. Often I feel so much relief that I even forget I sent an urgent prayer text just that morning until they ask later how things are! You truly don’t have to have it all figured out. None of us do. God will provide the resources and help you need. You might feel alone at times, but you never are. You just have to be faithful and truly trust God to bring what you need when you need it. And hold on when God seems to be answering slowly- He is working and whatever it is won’t last forever. Also It can be hard to find the energy for community, but it is worth it and desperately needed. You can’t pour from an empty cup- God often uses people to fill mine.
- To people who aren’t sure if adoption is for them with kids at home- If you already have kids at home it can be tricky. Our three that we already had before adoption were the number one reason we hesitated saying yes. But what we learned in parenting adopted kids made us ten times better at parenting our biological kids. There have been times that our bio kids didn’t get enough attention from us, but extended family helped and they grew in maturity so much. At this point, all three of our bio kids would say that adoption is the best thing that ever happened to them. They can’t imagine life without their brothers. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it.
Now that you are a family of 7, would you ever think of changing anything?
- Dickerson’s – If we suddenly had more time and energy, we’d totally adopt more! But with our oldest two entering the teen years, we don’t want to miss out on time with them. We love watching them play sports, attending High Hill camp with them and taking them on trips. Adding another little one would definitely change our availability and we don’t want to do that right now.
What would be your prayer or encouragement for those that have never thought about adopting or are thinking about it already?
- Dickerson’s – Hello!! Wherever you are on your journey, God is there working things out. I often tell my kids that God is doing a thousand things in your life right now and we only stop to notice a couple of them at any moment. Trust that He is here and he is working. He knows the desires of your heart and he has good plans for you. He knows where you are lacking and need support. He knows where you are strong and could more easily help another. And He will use any hardship along the way for good (Romans 8:28).
- Also, everyone doesn’t have to adopt. In fact, adoptive families need families that aren’t struggling right then to come alongside them and support them. If you don’t feel that God is calling you to adopt, He could be calling you to befriend an adoptive family and provide support for them. Meals right after adopting is really helpful, but adoptive families really need friends who are okay with the messiness that first year or two as well. Biological kids are going through a HUGE change and maybe not act like themselves for a while. And if a family adopts and disappears, just texting to see how they are doing and what you can pray for helps so so much. Prayer really does change things. We see it all the time in our lives- something feels hard and it’s just not getting better, so a friend starts praying. It doesn’t always change right away, but we see improvement immediately. My (Brittany’s) best friend is a prayer warrior and always going to bat for us in prayer. I know we wouldn’t be where we are now without her. If adoption isn’t working out for whatever reason, maybe your spouse isn’t on board or the finances are lining up, I would pray, but not push. God will line things up in time, and I’m sure he has big things for you to do in the meantime 🙂

I’m not crying….you are.

In all seriousness, Adoption is one of the most significant images when it comes to the relationship we have with Jesus, because of his death on the cross, when we take the step to allow Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of our life, we are adopted into the Kingdom of God.

Adoption may not be on your mind right now, but maybe after hearing the Dickerson’s story, you might start a prayer that may open your hearts to how you can be a part of your own adoption story or someone else’s.

If you are wanting to hear and learn more about this world of adoption, come join us on August 31st to learn how you can Unleash Hope to Children:

July 18, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach

Story Teller Series

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

Over the past few years, I have been able to be blessed by meeting a lot of great people. People of all ages, backgrounds, upbringings, experiences and teachings. Some of these people have become friends, some acquaintances and some have become people that I am able to do life with.

We started the Story Teller Series last month as we got to meet a volunteer that took her role as a mom to the next level getting involved in a school partnership and has become a champion volunteer there. Today we get to dive into a story of someone the has been around Harvester Christian Church for a long time. The Hances, Darren and Suzanne….

No photo description available.

…. have been serving with Harvester for a long time. They have been able to become a critical piece in our Local Outreach ministry by serving in the schools, both inside and out. They have been part of the Pack-a-Pack initiative for many years and have become leaders for one of our local school partnerships. I was able to ask Darren a few questions about serving, more specifically about serving in our local school outreach teams and here is what he had to say:

1) Mark 10:45 states, “ for the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” This is one of my favorite verses when it comes to serving. Do you have a verse that you come back to that keeps you grounded that you are serving for the Kingdom when you serve during Pack a Pack?

a. Darren – Galatians 6:2

b. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

2) How did you fall into serving with schools?

a. Darren H – HCC Connection Point, Small Group Serving, City wide serve days.

3) You and your wife Suzanne, have been serving with Pack a Pack for a long time…why do you continue to serve in such a selfless way?

a. Darren H – First, we are Commanded to serve others. I thoroughly enjoying serving the younger groups and connecting with future Followers of Christ.

4) Can you remember a specific time that stands out to you during an event or conversation where you felt you were in the right place for serving?

a. Darren H – All serving events have been special to me. Whether, local or abroad the opportunity to serve the Lord and Others is always humbling which provides a feeling of unity and community.

5) What are your dreams for serving through Pack a Pack? How do you hope to partner with God and impact the families you serve for the kingdom?

a. Darren H – My goals are not a dream, but reality as a part of the Christian faith. Just one of many commands from our Lord and Savior.

6) What has been your favorite part of serving with Pack a Pack over the past few years?

a. Darren H – The kids, parents, and teacher’s reactions. So many smiles, joys, and relief that there is a community of Christ followers who care about their needs.

7) What would you hope to communicate to others that might be on the fence about serving, whether in general or on a school team?

a. Darren H – Jump in and try it, you won’t be disappointed. Accept Christ command to serve others and bear their burdens. Be open and alert to opportunities to serve. Remembering that our Lord provides these opportunities every day.

Darren and Suzanne have done some amazing things over the years…but what I love most about them, is that they continue to serve others, no matter the cost or season of life they are in. Darren and Suzanne are grand parents and our very proud of their daughter and grand baby, but that love does not hinder them from continually serving those around them in unleashing the hope of Jesus however they can.

I love what Darren said in the last question, ” Jump in and try it..” I think that is an awesome way to look at serving, especially outside of the church walls. Some of us have never been in the position to serve outside the church walls and so we may not know what we like to do or what our passions might be….but to jump in and try it out for a season to see how it goes and what it looks like and how it feels….it just might be worth the jump.

So will you take the jump?? Will jump in and get involved with us? Maybe it is during Pack-a-Pack or maybe it is down the road……but don’t miss the opportunity to love others for their benefit.

June 14, 2023

in Church, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach

Story Tellers Series

” And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave or servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10: 42-45

If you have been around Harvester Christian Church for any given amount of time, you have heard us talk about serving and loving people as they are. Well, it’s true. We have a heartbeat of serving and invite anyone that calls Harvester home to join us in our mission to serve others. You will hear this phrase a lot:

UNLEASH THE HOPE OF JESUS into our World.

One way we do this whole thing is through our School Outreach programs. One in particular that is coming up, which is the entire month of July, is our Pack-a-Pack initiative. Last year we saw close to 1000 back packs packed and given away to love on families of St Charles County. This year we hope to collect and distribute more than 1k to help and serve with 5 other organizations to Unleash the Hope of Jesus into the lives of families throughout the Francis Howell and St Charles School district. We will be serving with the Boys and Girls club of O’Fallon and St Charles, Harvest Ridge Elementary, Becky-David Elementary, The St Charles School District and We Love St Charles.

Pretty cool eh?

What else is pretty cool, is that we have people in our midst that are champions of serving in certain schools or areas. One of those champions is Rachel Vandermeulen:

Rachel along with her husband Brett and two girls Avery and Emma, live in the St Charles area and attend Harvest Ridge Elementary. Rachel has watched Avery go through all grades and is ready to see her move on to Middle school after next year and Emma just a few years behind. Rachel has served on the PTO as president that last few years at Harvest Ridge which has allowed a unique partnership with Harvester Christian Church to be able to love and serve on the families that attend Harvest Ridge Elementary.

I reached out and asked Rachel about her time serving the families at Harvest Ridge and what she has dreams of for impacting the Kingdom of God in the lives of those families, here is her heart:

Mark 10:45 states, “ for the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” This is one of my favorite verses when it comes to serving. Do you have a verse that you come back to that keeps you grounded that you are serving for the Kingdom when you serve at Harvest Ridge?
- RV – Honestly, not really. God just keeps reminding me that it isn’t about me. It’s about bringing others to Christ and showing them His Love. I still find myself amazed how God is using me to serve His Kingdom in a public school setting. God works in ways we never would have imagined.

How did you fall into serving with schools? Why do you continue to do it?
- RV – When we moved to STL I didn’t have friends and felt so lost. Life felt very foreign to what I knew in KY. I threw myself into the PTO as an attempt to make friends and get to know the school. I continue to serve the schools because I feel that is where God has led me. Showing the love of Christ through a cup of lemonade or an event to feed hundreds has brought multiple HR families to experience the difference at HCC.

I know that your girls go or will go to Harvest Ridge, how do you show love to the other students and families on a day to day basis when you are in the school?
- RV – Some days it’s a simple smile, delivering notes of encouragement, or passing out a delicious cup of coffee. Other days it’s planning large events that are affordable and convenient for families to attend.

Can you remember a specific time that stands out to you during an event or conversation where you felt you were in the right place for serving?
- RV – Recently we had a family attend HCC because the church continues to show up at HR. HCC wasn’t and hasn’t pushed a message or a motive but shows love and support to families and staff. This family recognized something was different about HCC and felt led to see what HCC was all about. While I’ve always understood the mission, I don’t know that I have ever truly experienced it like this. Showing up and doing the small things really makes a big impact. I was brought to tears finally understanding why God has placed me on this journey to serve at HR.

What are your dreams for serving at Harvest Ridge? How do you hope to partner with God and impact the families you serve for the kingdom?
- RV – I pray that I can continue to be a vessel to show families God’s love. Whether that is generating different events to feel included and a part of the community at HR, or feeding them a meal to ease a financial burden. I pray that He will continue to open doors in the public schools for our church to be a partner and support for families in need.

What has been your favorite part of serving at Harvest Ridge over the past few years?
- RV – For me it is planning events. I love the logistics of a good, organized event but I didn’t realize the impact it had on others. Allowing families time to enjoy things together, to join in community with others, to kindle friendships that will last forever.

What would you hope to communicate to others that might be on the fence with serving, whether in general or on a school team?
- RV – God has a plan and a purpose for us all. Step outside of your comfort zone and listen to what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do. Be the light for someone in the small moments and serve the Kingdom of God.

I love her heart for serving others and loving people for their benefit and allowing God to lead where she walks. I also love the encouragement she gives to anyone that is on the fence about serving or getting involved at a school.

If you are interested in getting involved with our School Outreach Team reach out to Carissa Figgins or Rachel herself!

June 8, 2023

in GiveHope, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach

Just follow this link to our Amazon wish list.

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Easy Peasy Way to Pack A Pack

We get it. We wait and wait for the laidback days of summer only to find the days are packed even more. If you are having a hard time finding time to get to the store to purchase school supplies for the Pack A Pack campaign or maybe the list seems overwhelming to you WE HAVE AN EASY PEASY SOLUTION FOR YOU!

Click on whatever items catch your eye and add them to your cart.
Pray that the child or teacher who receives these supplies is blessed and it creates a curiosity for them to find and follow Jesus.
Hit submit and your gift of any amount and any kind of school supply is shipped directly to Harvester Christian.
Then you can think about possibly serving in a way to sort, organize, pack or deliver these items to all the groups we will be serving in July and August!

June 6, 2023

in HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, Uncategorized

2 Comments

July Local Outreach Opportunities

Organization	Opportunity	Date	Time	Purpose	Location	Sign Up
	Journey Trail-July Workday	Saturday July 8	8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Repair the bridges and clear the prayer garden and pavillion area through weeding, trimming, limb removal	HCC Journey Trails	Register to serve here
	Pack A Pack School Supply Sorting & Organizing	Starting Monday July 10	Mondays @1p.m. Wednesdays @ 1 p.m. Thursdays @6:30 p.m.	Your help is needed to sort, organize, and pack school supplies	HCC Annex	Register to serve here
	The Sharing Shed June Workday	Saturday July 15	9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.	Sharing Shed Crew specifically needs people phyically able to lift furniture and make deliveries to clients' homes	923 E Terra Ln, O'Fallon, MO 63366	Register to serve here
	Boys & Girls Club-O'Fallon Unit Backpack Delivery	Thursday July 20	3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	Volunteers needed to load and deliver 250 packed backpacks to Boys & Girls Club-OFallon Unit	HCC Annex to 1 Club Way St. Peters, MO 63376	Register to serve here
	Hot Diggity Dog Express-Boys & Girls Club-O'Fallon Unity	Saturday July 22	10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.	Assemble and serve 350 hot dog meals at Boys & Girls Club O'Fallon Unit Back to School Bash	1 Club Way St. Peters, MO 63376	Register to serve here
	Pack A Pack Delivery to We Love St. Charles	Monday July 24	3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	Volunteers needed to pack, load, and deliver school supplies to We Love St. Charles	HCC Annex to 2665 W. Clay St. St. Charles, MO 63301	Register to serve here
	Pack A Pack Delivery to Boys & Girls Club- St. Charles Unit	Thursday July 27	3:00-5:00 p.m.	Volunteers needed to pack, load, and deliver school supplies to Boys & Girls Club St. Charles	HCC Annex to 1221 Lindenwood Ave St. Charles MO 63301	Register to serve here
	Hot Diggity Dog Express Boys & GIrls Club St. Charles Unit	Saturday July 29	10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.	Assemble and serve 350 hot dog meals at Boys & Girls Club St. Charles Unit Back to School Bash	1221 Lindenwood Ave St. Charles MO 63301	Register to serve here

June 6, 2023

in Church, Local, Outreach, School Outreach

June Local Outreach Opportunities

Organization	Opportunity	Date	Time	Purpose	Location	Sign Up
	Pack A Pack Planning Meeting	Monday June 5	1 p.m. -2:00 p.m.	Plan the various school outreach activities for July and August	HCC Offices-Large Conference Room in lower level	email cfiggins@harvester.cc
	Journey Trail-June Workday	Saturday June 10	8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Repair the bridges and clear the prayer garden and pavillion area through weeding, trimming, limb removal	Journey Trails at HCC	Register to serve here
	The Sharing Shed June Workday	Saturday June 17	9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.	Sharing Shed Crew specifically needs people phyically able to lift furniture and make deliveries to clients'	923 E Terra Ln, O'Fallon, MO 63366	Register to serve here
	11th Judicial Circuit of Missouri	As needed 1-2 hours a week	Evenings & Saturdays	Two volunteers needed to consistently monitor and mentor non-violent youth fufilling community service hours	HCC Campus	email cfiggins@harvester.cc
	Becky David School Crew Leader	2-4 hours a month	Primarily during school hours	Assist in creating and maintaining a service opportunity calendar to meet the needs of Becky David.	1155 Jungs Station Rd, St Charles, MO 63303	email cfiggins@harvester.cc
	Hackmann Rd Early Childhood School Crew Members	As needed 1-2 hours a month	Primarily during school hours	Serve on the school crew to meet the needs of Hackmann Rd. Could include prayer, events at school, teacher appreciation etc.	2555 Hackmann Rd, St Peters, MO 63303	email cfiggins@harvester.cc

June 2, 2023

in HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach

June 1, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, Outreach

DTOTD – How do you stand out?

” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them ( Saul and Barnabas ) and sent them off….” Acts 13:3

My family moved into a new house about a year and a half ago. It was a needed move since we had 3 kids and a dog in a relatively small house. The house we moved into, was larger and has become our home. With projects going and new paint and new murals on the walls….made by the kids, with toys all over, with comfy chairs and a long comfy couch and a fireplace and a back deck that we use all the time. We love our home. Do you love your home? You probably have memories just like we do in your home or you have your favorite spot in the living room or your bedroom.

What if you were called to leave your home? Called not for a new job or a new opportunity or retirement or anything like that. But what if you were called to leave your home and enter the world as someone who is going to preach the good news of Jesus to anyone that will listen?

Would you?

Seems kind of crazy.

The book of Acts brings this thought to mind. In Acts 13/14 we see that Saul (Paul) and his ministry partner Barnabas are sent off on their first missionary journey. They were in Antioch, the birth place of the term Christian. They were there with there friends and possibly family, but in a time of prayer and fasting, Paul and Barnabas are lead off. The whole reason for their journey was for them to go into the Gentile cities, cities that were not primarily Jewish, to preach and open the hearts and ears of the Gentile people to the sacrifice and grace of Jesus Christ.

They were sent off for evangelism.

Evangelism is an interesting term. Because there are times when it is tied to only a certain type of person or rally or revival. Evangelism is the mission of telling people about Jesus. Whether it is in a home or in a stadium or a coffee shop. Evangelism is the encompassing term for the Great Commission of Matthew 28. It is what we as Christ followers are called to be a part of in our lives.

The problem with Evangelism, is that is requires you to stand out.

It requires for you to be set a part from others. It requires you to act differently. It requires you to look at the world differently. It requires you to talk with people differently. It requires you to listen to people differently. It requires you to love differently.

For Paul and Barnabas, it wasn’t hard for them to stand out. We see in these two chapters, Paul and Barnabas immediately found a way to stand out by trouncing into a Jewish synagogue in every city they went to and they stood up and preached the word of God boldly. In chapter 13 of Acts, we see that Paul & Barnabas are in the Pisidian Antioch, and when the time came for Paul to stand, he gives one of the most pointed messages I have read. It starts at the beginning and walks through the history of Jewish/Israelite people all the way to Jesus. Paul doesn’t stop with just the arrival of Jesus, he boldly calls out the people of the crowd that were a part of the Jews that lead Jesus to his death.

” And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.” Acts 13:28

Ouch. Paul goes on to tell the good news of Jesus by declaring how God raised Jesus from the grave and how Jesus’ death and resurrection leads to freedom.

” Let it be known to you therefore brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39

Paul and Barnabas in just these two chapters, traveled to at least 16 different cities.

How many of you could say that you have traveled to 16 different cities in one trip? Better yet, how many of us can say we have left our home state for the sake of Jesus at any point?

Evangelism requires you to stand out. Even to the point where your life might be in danger.

In chapter 14, we see Paul and Barnabas have began to leave a trail of emotion behind them as they continued to travel through these cities. They find themselves in Lystra, a city in Lyconia, and we see Paul and Barnabas preaching the good news of Jesus to the people there. Paul in Lystra see’s a man that is crippled, his feet didnt work from birth and was never able to walk. Paul looks at him intently and tells him to rise and walk, immediately this man is healed and in the wonder and amazement to the crowd, they begin to call Paul and Barnabas gods and want to sacrifice things to them. In quick haste, Paul pleads for the people to knock it off since they are just men and the power is in Jesus. But in this moment, the trail of emotion that Paul and Barnabas left caught up with them.

” But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead.” Acts 14: 19

But what about us? We do not live in the same period of time that Paul and Barnabas lived. We do not have to walk from city to city, we can drive. We do not have to sail and risk open water, we can fly. We do not have to go into a synagogue to preach people, we have the internet. We do not have to worry about being stoned, because we live in a free country. So what do we have to risk in order to be a part of this evangelism?

What does evangelism look like in our life?

if evangelism requires us to stand out…how do we stand out as christ followers?

There are countless things we could say here. We could talk about how we use our phones or how we talk with people or how we communicate on Social Media or where we hang out.

The big question here, is whether your heart is in the place to talk about Jesus when it is not easy.

We live in a world where inclusivity is important. We all want to be known and we all want to be a part of something larger than just us. We want to be accepted for who we are and where we are. We want people to respect us and give us the chance to prove ourselves. We want the world to know who we are whether we have done something or not. We live in a world where social media posts almost outweigh anything else that we do in life. We live in a world where our homes, which should be a refuge, where we can rest and retreat and be together with family and friends, become hot spots for arguments and bickering and quarrels and heart ache.

How do we stand out?

When our words match up to what Jesus has called us to, to love Him and love others. When we act differently than even those closest to us that don’t know Jesus. When our social media posts look and sound different than those of the rest of society that rages with anger and divisive comments. When our hugs go beyond the normal ‘ hey how are you’. When our hearts constantly strive after this Jesus that died on a tree for you. When our conversations over coffee at our favorite coffee shop are open and bold for the love that Jesus has for you and for who you are with. When our homes look and sound different than the homes around you, not because we are better than them, but because the peace and grace that Jesus gives us each and every day is flourishing in every room in the house.

How do we stand out?

We stand out, when we live our faith boldly to those around us.

It’s not easy. It’s not natural. It’s not always going to work. But when we continue to do it, to stand up for what we believe and what Jesus calls us too, we begin to have a part in this thing we call evangelism.

Stop and read Acts 13 and 14.

Celebrate today what Jesus has given you in your lives. But also pray for the opportunity to tell or show someone else about the love of Jesus.

May 30, 2023

in Church, Guest Services, Outreach

GST #2 is a wrap!

” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So theytook his advice, ” Acts 5:33-39

We had a great night to celebrate and gather together last Thursday night! We gathered to be together, to fellowship with cookies and coffee and to learn some things.

As a Guest Services team, we do not always get a chance to see each other since we are spread out all over the place on a Sunday morning. So as a team we are going to be getting into an annual rhythm of meeting together 3 times a year.

The first Guest Services Training ( GST ) will be at the beginning of the new year with a focus on safety and security things that we as a team should be aware of.

The second GST will be towards the end of the school year so that we can learn and be together before the summer travels begin.

We will gather together one more time at the end of the year, normally October before the holidays start to celebrate together what God has done throughout the year and what to expect as we finish the year strong!

Below is the Power Point presentation we walked through with lots of information. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or your coach/leader for more information!

Guest Services Training #2 Power Point. Download

Thanks so much for being a part of our Guest Services Team!

May 16, 2023

in Church, DTOTD, Outreach

I saw a reel

“……that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by him this man is standing before you well.” – Peter from Acts 4:10b

I saw a reel today…

How many times have you said this in a conversation? As our culture shifts to more and more of a digital landscape, seeing the bits that a reel provides, has started to shape the way we view the world. It shows the highlights and maybe sometimes shows the vulnerability that we as humans tend to show much more seldomly.

The book of Acts is one that is intriguing and one that provides a ” reel ” into what the early church operated as. A place of belonging and love and forgiveness and grace and teaching and sharing and eating and being with one another. It gives us a view into the world that the apostles and those that followed Jesus, both during his life and those that came to believe in Jesus after the Ascension to Heaven. It gives us a glimpse into what the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do.

” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…..” Acts 4: 8a

” And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance…..and at this sound the multitude came together and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language and they were amazed and astonished….” Acts 2:4 and 6-7a

” And they were all filled the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31b

Imagine what the Instagram or TikTok world would look like if these were the reels that people saw?

Imagine what our world would look like if these were the reels that we saw on a daily basis?

The book of Acts shows us also that this group of believers, a very small group of believers, made waves of impact. In todays culture, making an impact in the world is much harder than ever. There is an ever growing conception that the church is not useful or the church is not relevant. But in todays world, the church, might be the most important gathering place of all. There are culture wars, there are political wars, there are actual wars where people are dying, there are wars in our schools over what is needed and what is not, there are wars in our neighborhoods about what should be allowed and what shouldn’t be. There are wars in our own homes that can lead to devastating outcomes.

I saw a reel, just earlier today with a young person challenging a pastor about repentance. Her question was a valid one, it went something like this, ” what good is repentance if you just stated that we are all going to suffer no matter what? Why should I repent if I am still going to face suffering?” The pastors response was received, whether or not the young person believed him is another question. The pastor, filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak about the hope and the light at the end of the suffering that as a Christian we have, that when we give our lives to Jesus and we allow him to be a part of the suffering, that there is hope that those that do not believe in Jesus just don’t have.

” And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Here is a reel for you….

I saw a reel and went something like this:

” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13

You have the same Holy Spirit as Peter and John and the rest of the believers of the Early Church. You have the same Holy Spirit that fills you with a boldness that gives you power and strength to speak the truth in love and grace. You have the same Holy Spirit in you that gives you access to the creator and author of Life. You have the same Holy Spirit that brings life back from the dead. You have the same Holy Spirit that heals wounds. You have the same Holy Spirit that mends relationships. You have the same Holy Spirit that carries in tough times. You have the same Holy Spirit that gives light to the darkness.

I saw a reel, that showed the church rise up in a way that no one expects to unleash love and hope and grace and truth in a world that needs more and more of all of those.

The book of Acts is a reel…of how some uneducated and common people took the message of Jesus to a culture that did everything it could to stop the spread of that reel. What that culture didn’t know….

is the that the reel would continue to spread to the ends of the earth and there is nothing they can do to stop it.

April 13, 2023

in Church, Local, Outreach

Serving Spotlight – Krista Gurley

Meet Krista Gurley!

I have been at HCC (Harvester Christian Church) for more than twenty years and have been blessed by all of the staff and volunteers who have served my family in so many different capacities over the years. Part of my way of giving back to so many people who have invested in my kids is finding ways that I can serve.

Last year, I began serving monthly at the Sharing Shed. We partner with other area churches throughout the St Charles community to individuals and families who, because of various life circumstances, are trying to get into their own home. Often for the first time. We help them shop for all their basic home furnishings to help give them a small head start in the next chapter of their lives. For even that small amount of time we are with the families, we get to just love them, hug them, pray for them and let them know they aren’t alone. It’s a small amount of time to be with a stranger, but it reminds me that we have that opportunity everywhere we go, with everyone we encounter. We can just love people where we encounter them. Life can be hard. It seems like especially now that so many people around us are hurting. Even the good things in our lives sometimes can feel like a burden, but as Christians if we can try to look at each encounter with those around us as an opportunity to serve Christ we often will find ourselves being blessed and filled with joy.

I love serving at the Sharing Shed because it has moved me past the 4 walls at Harvester and into the community. I have made new friends from Harvester, some who I probably never would have met otherwise. Plus, I get to join with Christians from all over St Charles to come together for others.

For me, I want serving to be an extension of who I am. Whether it’s opening up my home to my kids and their friends, offering a ride or a meal to someone or just listening and praying with a coworker I want serving to be the natural make up of my life.

April 6, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach