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outreach Tag

March 18, 2026
in Volunteer Spotlight
by cefiggins
1 Comment

Volunteer Spotlight: Brittany Martin

In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we thought it would be appropriate to share the serving story of one of our Harvester Christians who lives day in and day out raising children with special needs and passionately serves in the world of disability ministry.  Read on to be blessed and inspired by this fine example of obedience in Loving God and Loving Others!

In today’s Volunteer Spotlight, we’re featuring Brittany Martin, who serves with Kindred, a ministry that was completely created and is completely led by two HCC volunteers. Kindred exists to support mothers of children with special needs. God created His people for community. Throughout Scripture, we are called to gather together, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and point each other to the hope found in Jesus. For many moms raising children with special needs, finding a supportive community can be challenging. As a mother to several children with special needs herself, Brittany Martin understands how isolating the journey can feel and how meaningful it is to be surrounded by women walking a similar path. This is why she and Taylor Jones started the ministry of Kindred.

 

Looking back, Brittany can see how God was preparing her for this calling. During high school and college, she worked with youth ministry, learning to listen attentively, pray earnestly, and walk alongside the girls she served. Today, that experience helps her to care for the women of Kindred as they navigate challenges, celebrate milestones, and encourage one another. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Brittany also worked professionally as a lead designer for a local megachurch. These creative gifts help her and co-leader Taylor craft gatherings that feel welcoming and thoughtful, spaces where moms feel seen from the moment they step onto the sidewalk, even before entering the building.

 

While mothers of children with special needs are no strangers to multitasking and complex logistics, these women are willing to rearrange schedules, coordinate specialized childcare, and even travel long distances so that they can attend their biweekly meetings. Their commitment to show up for themselves and others reflects how deeply these spaces are needed. Regardless of spiritual backgrounds, the women of Kindred continue to return because they experience something unique, which many describe as “life-giving.” While the gatherings are thoughtfully curated, Brittany says, “It is not the content or the aesthetic that gives life and peace to the women who attend, it is Jesus.” Some who were initially hesitant, or who have experienced hurt in church settings in the past, have begun asking about attending Harvester with Brittany and Taylor. A few have even come and experienced a complete change of heart about the church. This is the result of Kindred unleashing the hope of Jesus, creating a space where meaningful conversations, encouragement, and genuine care naturally draw women closer to Him.

 

Serving in this way has also stretched Brittany personally. As an introvert, she says Kindred has pushed her to step out in faith and dig into Scripture so she can speak words of life to and pray with women navigating a variety of circumstances. Though the ministry requires time, effort, and sacrifice, she has discovered a deeper joy through it.”The biggest sacrifices tend to lead to the most meaningful rewards,” Brittany reflects.”The story of the widow’s oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7 is a beautiful example of this. Sometimes we feel like that small jar of oil, barely enough, running on empty, and convinced we don’t have even a drop to give to someone else. But when we offer what little we have to the Lord and choose to use our time and energy for something that glorifies Him, He multiplies it. He fills what feels empty and gives us more than enough to pour into others, until those around us are overflowing too.”

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Interested in learning more about Kindred? Check out their website by clicking this link==> https://www.kindredmoms.com/

 

Blog by: Christina Bollinger, HCC Local Outreach Communications Volunteer

 

 

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January 30, 2025
in Church, Food Backpack Program, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach, Safe Families for Children, School Outreach, Serve Teams, The Sharing Shed
by cefiggins
0 Comments

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 Upcoming Service Opportunities

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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More Ways to Stay in the Loop

  1. Like and Share posts from HCC Outreach- St Charles Campus Facebook Page
  2. Like and Share posts from HCC Food Pantry
  3. Subscribe and follow HarvesterCC Outreach Blog
  4. In the Harvester app: Log into the app. At the bottom right hand corner click “More.” On the next screen click “Groups.” Click on any group you are assigned to see the calendar, and messaging about needs, events, or serving opportunities. If you would like to be added to any group such as Food Pantry, School Outreach, EWR Warming Center, Safe Families/Foster/Adopt, Natural Disaster Food Backpack Ministry, Elections, or Sharing Shed, please email our Ministry Coordinator Jillian Hohensee at jhohensee@harvester.cc

 

 

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July 18, 2023
in Church, Discipleship, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach
by Brendon
0 Comments

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.

 

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June 14, 2023
in Church, HCC, Local, Outreach, packapack, School Outreach
by Brendon
0 Comments

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!

 

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April 3, 2023
in Church, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus
by Brendon
0 Comments

Holy Week

Posted on  by Brendon

“ His disciples did not understand these things at first…” John 12:16a

Each year we come to this season where it is a conglomerate of things to come. It seems like this season gets busier and busier each year due to what is to come. It starts the warm weather, the sun gets up earlier and settles later, the birds are chirping all day long, the play time seems to increase more and more, Baseball is back in full swing, The NFL draft is coming up shortly, Hockey season is winding into the playoffs, March Madness is just about to end and best of all, its Masters Week. Throw in the new practices, game schedules, play practices, recitals and school winding down…you have the making of just a season of chaos….and it happens all within a month time!

But what about Easter…..you know that time we come to each year to remember and celebrate the man Jesus that sacrificed himself on a tree for you and for me?

Where does that fit in to the schedule?

Coming in to this Holy Week, I personally feel the burn of busyness. I am reminded by the to do list and tempers flaring at home. But is this what Holy Week should be like? Is this how we should remember the sacrifice?

The disciples probably felt the same way. These men and the women that were taking care of them and with them always are walking into the last week of Jesus’ life, not knowing what is to come, not knowing what their responses would be, and for sure not knowing what Jesus was about to do.

In John chapter 12, we see all sorts of things that are going in Jesus’ life – there is a plot thickening to kill him, there is a plot to kill Lazarus( a man that Jesus just rose from the dead ), Jesus is anointed with oil at Bethany the day before he is to arrive into Jerusalem to begin the long agonizing walk to his death, and then we find Jesus talking with both Jews and Greeks during a feast:

” Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: ” I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.” The crowd stood there and hear it said and it had thundered. Others said, ” an angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, ” This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself. He said this to show by what kid of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, ” we have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the son of Man bmust be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, ” The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12: 27-36 esv

 

Holy Week leads to a heaviness of soul for Jesus.

The first line in this section shows how ever-present Jesus is to the situation or people that are around him, all the while continuing to be present and prayerful with his Heavenly Father. Jesus’ soul was troubled in this moment, probably due to the coming pain and suffering that he would endure for not just the people that are surrounding him now, but also all that come after them. Jesus’ soul was troubled because not only was he preparing the people around him for his death and giving them instruction, he had to convince them that what is saying is true. Jesus is a masterful teacher and when we think about Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the mount when Jesus says seek first the kingdom of heaven and then here in John 12 Jesus says, ‘ walk while you have the light with you, so that you do not fall into darkness’.

Holy Week leads Jesus to his human side a lot.

The primary illustration of Jesus asking God to take this cup away from him is in Luke 22, but here in John 12, we see another instance where Jesus is crying to his heavenly father to take this away from him. How many times have we asked that of God?

God, take this fight with my spouse away…

God, take this problem at work away….

God, take this hard task of parenting a pre-teen away…

God, take my sorrow away…

God, show up in a way I don’t expect….

God, take this cup away from me…

Jesus though, knows that this is the reason that he is here. This is the reason that Jesus was sent to this earth. Jesus knows the Holy week leads to the purpose of him being away from his Father. So not only does Jesus walk back his prayer with ‘ Father, glorify your name.’ God tells Him, “I have glorified it, and I will again.” What if we received an answer from God from the heavens when we prayed those prayers of desperation or of need?

Holy Week leads to responding to the Light.

Jesus says, the light is only here for a little while longer….so stick with that light unless you want the darkness of the day to overtake you. Stay with the light so that you may become a son of light when the light is gone.

Holy week can be our response to the light that is betrayed, tried, beaten, mocked, and dragged up to a rock shaped like a skull where the light is hung on the tree for you and me and the light goes out…….

This is just the beginning…of Holy Week and what our response could be to the light.

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From the HCC Outreach Team:

Thanks so much for stopping by the Harvester Christian Church Outreach Team’s blog! We hope you find this resource helpful, insightful and encouraging as we strive to Unleash the Hope of Jesus back into our world!

This resource belongs to Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Mo.