For Those With Ears - Entries written by Harvest Bible Fellowship

Home - Connections - Blog - For Those With Ears - For Those With Ears - Entries written by Harvest Bible Fellowship
ThuThursdayNovNovember1st2012 HBF Global Prayer
Posted Thursday, November 01 2012 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Global Ministries 0 comments Add comment

Global Prayer - November 2012

God is doing some amazing things around the world.

This prayer calendar will give you a glimpse at what is going on. Join us in praying for our international churches and pastors.

Be blessed by this church planting update:



Check out Harvest Barrie's global ministries emphasis.
ThuThursdaySepSeptember6th2012 2012 Fall Harvest Launches
Posted Thursday, September 06 2012 @ 8 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 0 comments Add comment


Rejoice with us over what God is doing in our midst. Pray that he will use these pastors and churches to bring his glory down and enter a new season of revival. Visit their websites, uplift them in prayer, send them encouragement, and if you are close to any of the locations, join the Lord's work.

Cambridge, Ohio
September 9

Fairfax, Virginia
September 9

Knoxville, Tennessee
September 9

Clear Lake, Iowa
September 16

Conyngham, Pennsylvania
September 16

Ft. Wayne, Indiana
September 23

Nairobi, Kenya
September 23
ThuThursdayJulJuly26th2012 Vertical Church
Posted Thursday, July 26 2012 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
When Christ becomes anything less than our life’s passion and pursuit, we lose focus. We grow stale. We head down a path that is horizontal and hopeless.

Vertical Church is the change that changes everything.

So, if you want to experience what happens when we ask God to “show me Your glory”…If you want to hear, see, and feel what God has always wanted His church to be... If you’re ready to discover firsthand what it means to Go Vertical…

Then devour the message of Vertical Church.

Join us in Hamilton on Tuesday, September 18, 7-9 p.m. Buses will be leaving Barrie at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are free however the cost for the coach bus is a suggested donation of $30.

Space is limited so (705-739-8613) to reserve your spot.
ThuThursdayFebFebruary23rd2012 Harvest Bible Fellowship
Posted Thursday, February 23 2012 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 0 comments Add comment

 

ENTER HARVEST: CHURCH PLANTING EVENT
The purpose of ENTER Harvest is to decentralize and accelerate the recruitment and assessment of potential Harvest church planters, pastors, core groups and replant (transition) church opportunities. Harvest Davenport and Harvest Oakville are hosting our first events this Spring.

GOD@WORK: BUILDING STRONG LEADERS
Back in 2002, Robbie Symons found himself in a dark place—a tough place of confusion and lack of joy bordering on depression. One day he took off work in Canada to hear speaker, James MacDonald, whose brother, John, attended Robbie’s church.

HARVEST TRAINING CENTER RESIDENTS - SPRING 2012
Our focus is on individual character and developing preaching, pastoral and leadership gifts. Men selected as Training Center Residents work through a rigorous residency program.

HARVEST UNIVERSITY - April 22-28 | REGISTER NOW
This annual conference delivers high-caliber, application-oriented teaching drawn from years of fruitful ministry by Harvest pastors and leaders from around the world.

Check out the Harvest Barrie HU package.
ThuThursdayJanJanuary12th2012 Fellowship in Action
Posted Thursday, January 12 2012 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. —2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Fellowship involves sharing what I have. 2 Corinthians 8:3 describes fellowship in action as people who “gave according to their means.” What they had, they gave.

What do you have? Skip that small or large portfolio for a moment. That’s not all we have. I have time. I have experience and wisdom. I have compassion. Yes, I have certain resources. Whatever you have—that’s were fellowship in action begins. In the passage above, Paul told the Corinthians what a good example the Macedonians were about giving. If you skipped it, read it now.

Here’s what was going on. There were, because of persecution, some of the Jewish Christian in Jerusalem who were starving. So, some of the churches in Asia Minor took up offerings for them. But amazingly, people who gave really didn’t have—humanly speaking—very much to give. Paul says, “You’ve got to hear about this grace that’s been given.” “For in a severe attest of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. They gave according to their means, as I can testify” (vs. 2-3a). So it wasn’t the biggest gifts, but it may have been the biggest sacrifice. “And beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” (vs. 3b-4). Every one’s “means” are different. God multiplies the products of an attitude of giving, no matter the size or nature of the gift. Remember what Jesus did with a boy’s sack lunch (John 6:1-14)?

That’s the heart of fellowship right there. Don’t you want your church to be a compelling testimony of the power of the Gospel in the way that the people love and care for one another? Every time you write a note. Each time you make a meal for someone who’s hurting; when you visit someone in the hospital. Every time you give what you have to meet someone’s need, you are practicing fellowship! Find a way to get connected and give yourself, sharing what you have in Christ with other people. It’s a powerful thing! And we all need it.
ThuThursdayOctOctober27th2011 Harvest Managua, Nicaragua
Posted Thursday, October 27 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 2 comments Add comment
We want to introduce Jared Cox to you. Jared has served faithfully in Nicaragua for five years as Senior Pastor of Iglesia Biblica Impacto (Impact Bible Church) soon to be a Harvest Bible Chapel. But as pastors know, there is a story of God’s hand throughout the life of every Senior Pastor.



Jared was saved at age seven, but when he was eleven, Jared, alone, witnessed his father’s massive, fatal heart attack. And at such a tender age, Satan used the experience to launch Jared into many years of torment and fear. With a history of hardship already in his family—parents divorced when he was ten, his mom had cancer when his father left, and then his father’s death—Jared sank deeper and deeper into depression and major demonic oppression. Finally, because of extreme suicidal thoughts ending with a nervous breakdown, Jared was put into a behavioral hospital at age seventeen where the Lord began to lay a foundation for future ministry. “The Lord took all hope away from me…God put me in the shoes of everyone in that (counseling group) so I would know what it felt like to live without any hope at all—what it felt like to be without Christ and going to hell.” And this began Jared’s road into full-time ministry.

After being released, Jared enrolled at Moody Bible Institute. And while his training for ministry began, the Lord continued to shape him with heartache in his life. The Christmas before graduation, Jared’s brother was in a terrible car accident that left him seriously impaired, and Jared felt it was his job to go home and care for him. So just after graduation, instead of embarking on his new desire for missions, Jared went home and cared for his incapacitated brother for a full year. “God taught me: ‘You’ve got all the head stuff, the theological stuff, but now you’re going to learn how to apply it and serve your brother for a year.’” Jared recalls, “God used reoccurring tragedy and more pain to actually heal my heart. Of course with all the tragedies, you have a tendency to want to be a victim and give in to self-pity…But one day at Moody, the Holy Spirit so convicted me of my lack of belief in what Jesus did on the cross for me, I had to stop right there and repent of my unbelief. Jesus Christ completely canceled even all of those tragedies with His death on the cross. And with that repentance and a healing process, God healed me of the past pain in my life—it was done.”

After a year of caring for his brother, Jared married Tanya, his wife of eleven years now, and the two of them began their journey to Nicaragua to start a Youth Leadership Center that later turned into their current home church, Impacto. And while the church has 150-170 attendees each week, Nicaragua has a difficult“health and wealth” spiritual climate, and Jared has longed for a godly support system. Thus he and Tanya and their four children are now here in the States for several months receiving Harvest’s support and training at Harvest Bible Fellowship’s Training Center for Church Planting and early next year, by God’s grace, will launch Harvest Bible Chapel Managua, Nicaragua. “When my flesh wants to remember tragedy in my life, the Holy Spirit quickly pricks me and says, ‘Don’t you dare go in that direction, I’m too big and too powerful—don’t limit me by thinking I’m beneath using those tragedies.”

Pray for the Cox family and for the replant of Harvest Managua scheduled for January 15.
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: "I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." -Isaiah 42:5-7


from Harvest Bible Fellowship
ThuThursdayOctOctober20th2011 Have you ever gotten a glimpse of God’s handwriting?
Posted Thursday, October 20 2011 @ 8 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 1 comments Add comment

Ever been caught off guard by the revelation that God Almighty is far more visible and near than you have recognized in a long time? That’s where I’ve been lately—undone by the nearness of his glory.

God has handwriting, and if you don’t think so, consider this. Any manifestation of God, anything that evidences God’s existence—that’s his glory. And glory is God’s supernatural signature, Every time you see something that leaves you wide-eyed and speechless, something that only God could have done, only God could have made—that’s glory.

From that songbird chirping at daybreak, to the ocean waves rolling and crashing on the shore without end, to an outer space that’s so vast we can’t begin to comprehend it, to the tiniest neutrons and molecules…a single message resounds: “There’s a God! There’s a God! There’s a God!”

Breathless before glory in Psalm 19:1, not even King David could hold back what we all know to be true: “The heavens declare the glory of God, the earth displays his handiwork.” And when any human being on the face of the earth has a transcendent moment when they see glory, when they witness the handwriting of God, they can begin to understand that the glory of God is the purpose of the universe.

Before God said the first “LET THERE BE…,” He had a reason, a plan—to display his glory. God created the universe because of desires within himself—not to complete himself, but because he is a God who gives, a God who shares, a God of grace and mercy. God spoke this universe into existence so he could reveal…himself.

And he raised the bar on glory to its highest point in this: the revelation of his Son, Jesus Christ. As the first verses of Hebrews attest, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

What the entire universe can only hint at by comparison, the Son is declaring with power and certainty and clarity. The glory of God is revealed in Jesus Christ.

Yes, God has handwriting. And Jesus is his autograph of glory. “The Word [who] became flesh and dwelt among us” has, for time and eternity, revealed transcendent glory, “…as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,” John 1:14.

So that by the nearness of his glory we could know him—and live with a consuming passion to make him known.

Pastor James
ThuThursdayAugAugust18th2011 What sets you apart?
Posted Thursday, August 18 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
In wanting to be effective, make a difference, leave a legacy, we can often lose sight of what really makes that possible. Serving Christ and his kingdom is a very big job and it’s essential that we focus on the things, no, the thing, that truly sets a servant of Christ apart, that in the end actually distinguishes one from another.

The initial days of Moses’s “exodus assignment” were pretty rough. People rebelling, rampant idolatry and debauchery, mutiny among his core group, to name a few. In Exodus 33, Moses was willing to go forward but not without a STRONG assurance in one crucial matter. What Moses knew was that the job of leading God’s people was far beyond his own capacity. He was overwhelmed at the responsibility, the stubbornness of the people, his own inadequacies, etc. In order to move forward, he did not seek assurance of his salary, he did not ask for a promise as to how long it would take or how hard it would be or how it would impact his family. There was just one thing Moses sought assurance about in order to continue in his calling:

Exodus 33:12-17 lets us in on this secret conversation of consecration:
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. . . . For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct . . . from every other people on the face of the earth?”

There it is. It’s not the size of your congregation or the diversity of your staff, or the beauty of your buildings. It’s not your looks, or your talent, or anything about you personally—none of these will matter in the end. Every youth pastor sitting in his office today wondering how to make an impact on worldly, wandering adolescents, every tired middle-aged pastor wondering how he can keep going in view of the weight he’s been carrying, every ministry wife weary of the demands church makes on the family, every worship leader longing for a deeper move of God in their hearts, ALL NEED THE SAME THING, THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS. What will get you to the righteous objectives you seek, what will take you over the mountains and through the valleys ahead, even the ones you cannot now see or imagine, is God’s going with you.

It is not the giftedness of any preacher, the talents of the worship leaders, or the beauty of a facility that brings God’s presence. Everyone has that! What makes a church distinct and powerful is God’s glory manifested in the midst of that church; God himself working and revealing himself in spite of the weakness and limitations of the people involved. You’ve got shortcomings—news flash—and I have them too. If there is anything awesome and praiseworthy and distinct about God’s people, it has to be his presence in their midst, working and doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Pray and seek God’s presence for your life, for your family, for your ministry. If you have that, you have everything no matter what you have—and if you lack God’s presence, you are impoverished no matter what you may appear to ‘have.’ This is the only thing that makes us distinct “from every other people on the face of the earth,” Exodus 33:16. God’s presence, God’s favour, God’s blessing, 11x in this passage—that is what Moses was seeking.

What makes a man or a ministry distinct? What is the difference that really makes a difference? Just this: “Is it not in YOUR going with us . . . that we are distinct?”

If you don’t have that, it’s all drudgery and difficulty and death. But if God is in your midst, working and manifesting his presence, if glory is coming down, you better order some more chairs.

Begin now to pray Moses’s prayer over everything that matters to you, “Please show me Your glory!” Exodus 33:18

Then claim and rest in this promise: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart, and I will be found by you, declares the Lord,” Jeremiah 28:10.

James MacDonald
http://jamesmacdonald.com
TueTuesdayJulJuly5th2011 Churches Helping Churches: Haiti Update
Posted Tuesday, July 05 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 1 comments Add comment
From Thomas Kim, Churches Helping Churches

When I was in manufacturing, I wanted every operator on the plant floor to know the answers to three questions:
  1. What is the numeric goal?
  2. Are you ahead or behind?
  3. Do you know if your work is good or bad?
More concerning than the actual answers to these questions was whether or not they knew the answers.

I find these questions translate seamlessly to disaster relief.  So, as we continue the work in Haiti, let me give you our update:
  1. The goal is 50 churches by the end of summer.
  2. We’re behind schedule.
  3. What we’re producing is very, very good.
When we first came to Haiti, we quickly realized we would not be reconstructing churches, but instead would need to approach our building effort as if we were constructing churches for the very first time. There was simply nothing to work with.  We quickly donated 34 transitional shelters, made of wood, which has allowed pastoral work to continue.  Then, we immediately began making long-term plans for permanent structures.

Although the project has been delayed due to logistical problems, we have been committed to providing a solid foundation for our Haitian churches to build upon instead of rushing to an inferior solution.

Today, we’re in striking distance of putting up the first of these structures.  Here are some of the distinctive features of this building:
  • Structurally sound: The open-air structures have been designed according to California seismic codes, which account for 8.0 magnitude earthquakes.  They are also hurricane resistant, or able to withstand winds of up to 140 MPH. 
  • Jumpstart: This is a roof-only structure that will allow churches to meet under a stable roof.  Over time, the church will build the walls and inner furnishings to their taste, which will not have an affect on the structural integrity of the building.  This works in harmony with traditional Haitian construction as they build their homes over a lifetime while living in them.
  • Clear span: Most steel structures of this kind have a large I-beam spanning the entire building, weighing thousands of pounds, and requiring heavy machinery for assembly.  However, our partners, Metal Construction Resources and Joe Meheen, inventor of the tunable bridge, have replaced that I-beam with something that looks like a bridge.  The clear span (i.e. free from support posts in the middle aisles) is achieved through light-weight trusses.  If you’ve ever sat behind a column in church, bumped your knees and strained your neck to see the pastor, you’ll know why a clear span is a practical architectural move for a church.
  • Capacity building: Most importantly, the unique and lightweight composition of the structure allows it to be assembled almost entirely by the congregation with simple hand-tools.  The building team will be recruited, trained, and eligible to receive certification when the building is complete, which in theory will help them find employment in steel construction – a blossoming Haitian industry – after the project ends.  The team of builders will in turn head to the next church to train a new team, who will build their own church, and then send a team to the next church, until all of the churches have been built.
  • Match-funding: Notably, these structures will cost between $4-$5 per square foot to complete, an unbelievably low price per square foot for a seismic and hurricane resistant structure.  CHC financially matched the program 1:8 to intentionally provide our Haitian pastors with ownership in the project.  It was important to involve the churches in the process financially.  Jesus could have fed the 5,000 with nothing, but instead, purposely multiplied what they already had – no matter how small – to provide more than enough to feed the multitudes.  These congregations have each seen God multiply their limited resources to meet their needs far beyond what they could have imagined.  CHC is proud to match over $100,000 raised through the local church congregations.
When I describe our Haitian church structure, its cost, and the method we will use to build each building to experts in the industry, they don’t believe it can be done.  They say the technical specifics are too high, the building is too cheap – and wonder how it’s possible that average people with limited training can work together to build something so strong.

At that point I simply tell the critics that the story gets even better: God also provided JC Construction, a startup light-gauge steel construction company based in Haiti, willing to loan us their equipment.  And he provided unexplainable favour from other Haitian and American vendors.

We may be behind schedule on our new churches.  But by taking the time to understand what will work best in the long term, and then thoughtfully designing our approach, and serving a gracious God who has blessed this project abundantly… these Haitian congregations will receive more than just a new church building.  They will be part of a building process will be edifying to God, to his churches in Haiti, and to the congregations that serve him.

When all is said and done, we will have more than just 50 church structures.  We will have 50 congregations that have each grown exponentially through the effort.

God is at work in Haiti.  And we’re glad to be there to help.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
ThuThursdayJunJune30th2011 HBF Worship
Posted Thursday, June 30 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
One special moment from this past Harvest University was a great snapshot into the pastors and worship leaders from around the world that lead Harvest Bible Chapels. We are so blessed to be part of the Harvest Bible Fellowship and this song and video package was a resource that was used as we partnered with our friends at the Fellowship. So many have asked to watch this video again or pass it along to their friends so we figured we would post it here. Let us know what you think!
ThuThursdayJunJune23rd2011 When disaster strikes close to home
Posted Thursday, June 23 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
From Churches Helping Churches

In May, a series of deadly storms tore through the South. Hundreds of tornadoes left at least 350 people dead and many more injured in the destruction that spanned seven states. It’s no surprise that impacted communities are turning to their local churches for help with food, shelter, clothing and emotional support.

Churches are often on the front lines when disasters strike, and with good reason. They have an intimate understanding of the unique needs and nuances that exist in the communities they serve.

People impacted by these disasters have an unexplainable pull to their local church when faced with their own mortality. Whether they’ve just lost a loved one, lost their home, or are in need of emotional support after witnessing tragedy – if eternity crosses their mind, it’s likely to bring them to the cross. They inherently know the church is safe. Good. A place of hope. There to help.

This, all of this, is why we exist.

It’s also why when disasters of any size strike, we’re often asked what CHC is doing to help. The recent storms are no exception. Right now, we’re encouraging those interested in helping the victims of these storms – and the churches that serve them – to get involved directly at a local level.

Churches Helping Churches was created to rebuild and equip churches facing large-scale disasters, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people, and the recent Tsunami in Japan, with a death toll of more than 18,000. Remaining exclusively focused on these two efforts, as well as continuing to prepare for future events, allows us to best serve churches that are desperate for international assistance in the wake of catastrophe. This focus has become even more important as CHC evolves into a global fellowship of churches.

However, when disasters of any size strike, we strongly encourage people to support local churches in the areas hardest hit. The reality is that these areas are facing their own “large-scale” disasters, regardless of how many people are impacted. When it hits close to home, your world stops, and help is needed.

How can you help? Here are four practical ways you can get involved:

1. Give monetarily to local organizations that consistently demonstrate intimate awareness of the community’s needs. A wide variety of organizations are addressing both short- and long-term recovery needs of affected families. Visit their websites to research their efforts and consider making a donation.
2. Get your church involved. Local churches and ministry organizations serving some of the hardest hit areas have volunteers serving meals, collecting and distributing goods, and housing those displaced by the storms. Consider taking a one-time special offering at your church, collecting non-perishable food, toiletries and clothing to send to a church in need, or send a group of volunteers to a handpicked partner church to demonstrate what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
3. Use your circle of influence to make a difference. In the age of social media, the power of a single voice can influence thousands with one simple call to action. Do you have a blog? Several hundred friends on Facebook? A large Twitter following? If so, consider setting a goal and issuing a challenge to benefit victims, whether that challenge is raising $5,000 or recruiting 500 volunteers.
4. Pray fervently. Pray for comfort for families who have lost loved ones. Pray for healing for those who have been injured. Pray for the basic needs of the victims to be met. And pray for Jesus Christ to be glorified and praised through this literal and figurative storm.

There is hope in Jesus. Will you be a messenger?
WedWednesdayJunJune22nd2011 Harvest University 2012
Posted Wednesday, June 22 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 0 comments Add comment

Harvest University

dates for 2012

Sunday, April 22 to Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The dates for Harvest University 2012 have just been confirmed and we wanted you to be the first to know!

Next years conference will include high-impact worship, vertical teaching, iron-sharpening fellowship, and strategic planning time for you and your ministry team to recalibrate your direction and processes, and further the reach of your impact for Christ.

Please be in prayer for Harvest University 2012 and also for the teachers and attendees as we know he will do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we could ask or think (Eph 3:20).

Check out the reports from this year's trip to Harvest University:

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

If you're getting this on your calendar (and you should) for 2012, or if you're thinking about it, .  Details will come as we get closer to the trip but the list is starting now!
ThuThursdayMayMay19th2011 Japan: Aftershocks of the soul
Posted Thursday, May 19 2011 @ 10 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Japan Churches Helping Churches update from executive director, Thomas Kim...

I recently asked a pastor in Northern Japan how he has been doing in light of the aftershocks, particularly the magnitude 7.1 that hit a few weeks ago. He began to explain that the crossbeam at the top of his church building snapped, that other buildings in the region experienced further damage, that his church is continuing its distribution efforts. I stopped him and asked, “But how are YOU doing?” He laughed nervously, and then responded, “After the first earthquake, it was okay. But I wasn’t prepared for the last aftershock. I didn’t think it would affect me like this. It was a little too much for me.” As I prayed for my brother, I could hear his crying in the background.

I am omitting his name due to cultural sensitivities in Japan. But this man is a national church leader, a good man and an active soldier for Christ. Yet, the nonstop crises have compounding effects – even for the strongest of us. Many who seemed “okay” immediately after the tsunami may not be. There are matters of the mind and heart that need to be dealt with, and similar to the aftershocks, these “aftershocks of the soul” aren’t going away anytime soon, and won’t go away at all without proper care and attention.

Encounters like this remind me of the importance of what we’re about to do in Japan through our Churches Helping Pastors effort. This intensive, Gospel-centered Biblical counseling program begins at the end of May for pastors impacted by the tsunami. The program is designed to help meet their unique emotional and spiritual needs so they in turn can effectively minister to others. Because it is impossible to carry others through a crisis if you yourself are limping along, this retreat will treat, train and encourage church leaders, providing them with hope in the midst of utter devastation.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28)

ThuThursdayMayMay12th2011 Harvest Canadian Senior Pastors Retreat
Posted Thursday, May 12 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
This report is from Pastor Daryl Molyneaux, senior pastor of Harvest Niagara, launching in the fall.  Daryl will be preaching at Harvest Barrie on Sunday, May 15.

April marked the annual Harvest Canadian Senior Pastors Retreat, held in London, Ontario. As an incoming church planter, this was my first experience as a Harvest senior pastor. It was extremely encouraging to take some time to get to know the other pastors in Canada.
God has blessed Canada with solid church leaders who are striving to live out their calling with passion and conviction.
While there was time for relaxation and relationship building through meals, swimming and paintball, we spent a significant portion in sessions and prayer. The meeting agenda consisted of timely challenges from Verne MacDonald (father of Pastor James) and Robbie Symons (Harvest Oakville), while Todd Dugard walked us through strategic planning.



The organized times together proved to be beneficial as we shared, discussed and gained wisdom from each others' thoughts and experiences. We were especially blessed by the wisdom of the more seasoned pastors—Norm Millar (Harvest London), Todd (and Verne) provided us with much needed insight into life, family, ministry and shepherding. God has brought together a great pastoral network here. 
It is so good to be a part of a strong fellowship that shares a common heartbeat for Christ and a similar vision for ministry.
I have been amazed at the mutual care and support among the Harvest churches in Canada—the launch team of Harvest Niagara has been cared for, prayed for and generously supported by the other Harvest pastors and churches in ways that I never expected.

We are very thankful for this opportunity God has given us and pray that he, by his Spirit, will continue to build strong, effective church-planting churches that will have eternal, life-transforming impact for his Kingdom.
ThuThursdayMayMay5th2011 International Church Planting News
Posted Thursday, May 05 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
HARVEST BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
International Church Planting News

Passionately Building HIS Church

 

73 Leaders.
10 Countries.
1 Fellowship.

73 pastors and leaders representing 10 countries, including every international Harvest Bible Chapel, begin arriving at Harvest Bible Fellowship on April 30. They are coming for Harvest University, our pastors and leaders conference May 9-11—however they are coming a week early to share with each other what God is doing in their countries and ministries, and to receive a week-long training exclusively for our international pastors and leaders.

Harvest University Welcomes International Leaders
“So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through...and brought great joy to all the brothers.  When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them."  Acts 15:3-4

Our Fellowship is delighted to host these 73 leaders from 10 countries, bringing good news from distant lands!

AUSTRALIA - Harvest Perth [5]
AUSTRIA - Harvest-Metanoia Vienna [5]
LIBERIA - Harvest Paynesville [1]
MEXICO - Harvest Mexico City [9] launching 2011
NEPAL - Harvest Kathmandu [1]
NICARAGUA - Harvest Managua [17] launching 2011
ROMANIA - Harvest-Metanoias: Arad, Braila, Brasov, Felnac, Ghioroc, Ploiesti [13]
ST. VINCENT IS. - Harvest St. Vincent [9]
UGANDA [3]
UNITED KINGDOM - Harvest Glasgow [7], Northern Ireland [1]

We are blessed to have these nationals among us and are praying for God's grace to instruct them in key ministry areas and equip them with tools for greater effectiveness in our partnership in the Gospel. We anticipate not only pouring into them, but how they will strengthen our ministry and encourage us.

PRAY for their safety as they travel from great distances. Pray also for this time God is allowing us to have together—that Christ Jesus would be exalted among the nations and in our midst!

“And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them."  Acts 15:33
WedWednesdayMayMay4th2011 A biblical method for getting out the gospel (part 2)
Posted Wednesday, May 04 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
Peter and John were imprisoned, Paul and Steven were stoned, and Christ himself was crucified for the offense created in their speaking the truth.

And if you start talking freely and openly and authentically about Jesus Christ you must anticipate some of the same — count on it. Regardless of what the strategists say, negative reaction is not always reflective of poor presentation. If you give witness to Jesus Christ and people get upset, you’re not necessarily doing it wrong. We should not be seeking a way to evangelize where everyone likes us and no one ever gets upset. I wish I could hear some of our modern strategists explaining their plans to the evangelists in the early church. Hey Peter and John, a hostile response is reflective of poor presentation, if you just round off the corners a bit you can reach a lot of people and avoid jail time. Maybe they could share that with Stephen too. (Acts 7). Hey Steve, the reason you're getting stoned is because you didn’t say it the right way, you need more tact and patience in your testimony. Or for that matter, tell that to Jesus. You know Lord, your content was so great and everything, but your method was so direct and insistent they started hating you and put you on a cross. You should have checked with us.  We could have helped you craft your message and delivery to gain a hearing, and make it safe for people to come along at their own pace. Ridiculous!

Biblical boldness for Christ is a fountain that bursts forth from a satisfied soul.  Even when facing the authorities, Peter overflows with the gospel mentioning Jesus seven times in 4:10-12 concluding with “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Boldness springs from something that is happening deep inside. Jesus Christ has changed my life. Everything that I was looking for, and longing for, I found in him. I have the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. I have a peace that passes understanding.  I have a love for people I should hate. I have joy and a strength I knew nothing about, so how could I not try to tell others that they can have it too? That is boldness!

In regard to evangelism, God has not just told us what to do, he has told us how to do it. Embrace afresh the biblical method, clear concise unwavering witness for Christ, even in the face of opposition.  The bold way is the biblical way.  Testify boldly and without fear, regardless of the response, and you will know God’s favour upon your witness for Christ.

Pastor James
http://jamesmacdonald.com/blog
TueTuesdayMayMay3rd2011 A biblical method for getting out the gospel (part 1)
Posted Tuesday, May 03 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
In most of what God commands he gives his children freedom in the mechanics of obedience.  A man and woman are to commit for a lifetime, but we are not told how that marriage is to be established. Pastors are to preach the Word, but many methods are biblical and the preacher himself is given freedom to choose. In only a few instances does the Lord prescribe both the activity and the method. Evangelism is one of those times. The biblical method for evangelism is boldness.

Acts  3-4 details the earliest church efforts in evangelism as the disciples post-Pentecost begin the work of getting out the Good News. After a man has been healed, Peter boldly proclaims the gospel in Solomon’s porch and is arrested for his presentation of Christ. The next day Peter is called to answer to the religious leaders for his actions and he does not dial the boldness back in any way choosing instead to proclaim the good news again. Acts 4:13 records the council’s response, “now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men they were astonished and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” In Acts 4:18ff,  Peter and John are threatened not to speak in Jesus name and they both respond that they cannot stop speaking about their personal experience with Christ.

As soon as they are released, they run straight to their friends and start a prayer meeting pleading with God that the threats they have heard would not diminish their boldness. God’s Spirit responded by filling each one, so that they “continued to speak the word with boldness.”

Was this one of those “for them and not for us” things? In Ephesians 6:19 Paul settles that question with his prayer request, “pray for me that I would speak boldly as I ought to speak.” (NKJV)

Boldness is the biblical manner that God wants the gospel given. We are not to develop our own methods based upon personality or passion; we are to open our mouths and unapologetically testify to the saving power of Jesus Christ.  Is it possible that the commonly reported frustrations in personal evangelism and our epidemic failure to evangelize at all is rooted in our failure to embrace the biblical method of boldness?

The Greek term translated bold or boldly or boldness, means candor in the face of opposition. Candid, clear, compassionate, compelling witness to the news of how sins can be forgiven in Jesus Christ and how we have experienced that reality personally. Boldness isn’t obnoxious—I’m gonna shove this down your throat whether you want to hear it or not. Boldness can be very gentle, kind, and from a loving heart. It’s not mean or pushy; it’s just convinced. Boldness does not adjust the presentation to avoid a negative response. Paul said, “We have renounced disgraceful underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by the open statement of the truth, we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”  (2 Corinthians 4:2)  Boldness knows that salvation is of the Lord, “and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)  Boldness is the Spirit given conviction that we must speak about what we have seen and heard in Christ.

In Acts 4:1–3 the disciples were boldly “proclaiming in Jesus, the resurrection from the dead” and the opposition didn’t believe in much except being in charge so “they arrested them” (v.3).

In much of today’s church, this would have signaled the need for some consultants: Guys, we’re getting a little off track here okay? If you’re gonna win friends and influence people you’re gonna have to tone it down a little. Round off the edges, make the gospel more appealing, more acceptable, less offensive to the modern mindset.

“But many of those who heard the word believed and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” Though arrested for their witness their boldness was being blessed! The problem today is that we want the fruit without the fallout.  We want to see people converted, but don’t want any feathers ruffled or anyone upset who rejects the gospel.  Today we want to be the aroma of life to those that are being saved without being the aroma of death to those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15) Pursuit of that impossibility has led to a suppression of the biblical model for boldness in most places. 

Pastor James
http://jamesmacdonald.com/blog/

More to come on this topic tomorrow.
ThuThursdayAprApril28th2011 Are you saved?
Posted Thursday, April 28 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
God, in his mercy, sent his son to die for your sin so that you could be saved. Are you saved? How do you know? Watch this message from Pastor James and get this issue settled today.


WedWednesdayAprApril27th2011 Easter Weekend in Harvest Churches
Posted Wednesday, April 27 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
Check out Monday's blog for all the details of Easter weekend at Harvest Barrie.  Here's a look at what happened in other Harvest churches.

In Chicago, Pastor James says, "A highlight for me was having my oldest son Luke and our son in-law Tony do a Crowder/Lecrae song together.  The entire service was dark, and devoid of any real hope, but it certainly set the stage for a GREAT EASTER celebration."





Harvest Brampton used this video.  The gospel in four minutes.





From Pastor Ken Gentzler of Harvest West Olive, Michigan:
Wow, what a wonderful Passion Week at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive. God worked in each of the services throughout the week and then He blew the roof off on Sunday morning. With over 900 in attendance on Sunday morning, the worship was awesome as we celebrated the good news of resurrection Sunday and the fact the Jesus both lives and transforms. If you were with us, I trust you are sharing that life changing message with those around you.


Things were really moving at Harvest Oakville on Easter Sunday...





The Shout at Harvest Chicago:





And the life-changing story of Easter continues on.  At Harvest North Raleigh, North Carolina, this Sunday, May 1, is a chance for their congregation to share stories of the life changing grace of God.

The resurrection of Jesus makes us born again unto God!
Sunday, May 1st, come ready to share a brief story of life change
because of your new life in Christ.

Here are some examples: tell the story of life in Christ amidst life’s dark times,
how you are growing in boldness, why Scripture memory is changing your affections,
when fellowship sharpened your marriage, or who has grown in Christ because of His ministry through you…

Hearing how others are growing in Christ will further
‘stir us up to love and good works’ for Jesus. Hebrews 10:24

Proclaim the excellencies of Him who brought us out of darkness
and into this marvelous light! 1 Peter 2:9

WedWednesdayMarMarch30th2011 Harvest Bible Fellowship International Church Planting Update
Posted Wednesday, March 30 2011 @ 9 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 5 comments Add comment
Vamos a México | La Cosecha

For several years, Harvest Bible Fellowship has been prayerfully seeking an open door for ministry south of the U.S./Mexican border. With the increasing fruitfulness of Hispanic Ministries at Harvest Bible Chapels in the States, our strong desire has been to influence our neighboring country of Mexico.

The Lord is now answering that prayer. Serving the Lord faithfully in Mexico City for nearly six years with his family, God has now led Antonio Munoz, a qualified, gifted and proven pastor, to Harvest Bible Fellowship. On March 15, Antonio joined the Harvest Training Center to prepare for church planting. The Munoz family will be here with us for two months of intense training. In May, they will return to Mexico City to establish Iglesia Biblica la Cosecha (Harvest Bible Chapel) Mexico City Center-South.

Considered an "alpha" global city, Mexico City is one of the most important centers in North America. With over 22 million in the metropolitan area, Mexico City is also one of the largest urban centers in the world.

The center-south region of Mexico City is Xochimilco, a borough divided into eighteen neighborhoods and fourteen communities outside the traditional city, and a largely populated area. Like many parts of Mexico, the people are deeply rooted in indigenous practices and traditions, and over 90% identify themselves as Catholic.

The opportunity is great for the Gospel to advance in Xochimilco. The fields are white unto harvest and a core group of over 100 people have already joined arms with the Munoz family to establish this new church. We long for the day when hundreds of thousands of people of Xochimilco will embrace Christ Jesus by faith and receive the free gift of salvation from God. We have faith to believe that the Lord can use Pastor Antonio and Harvest Bible Chapel to be part of His plan to build His Church in this district.

Join us in welcoming this new international Harvest Senior Pastor. We are excited for what God will do in and through this partnership as we, together, establish a life-altering, Christ-exalting work in Mexico City!

Passionately building His church,
Kirk VanMaanen
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS + INTERNATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING

ANTONIO MUNOZ
Planting in Mexico City, Mexico

Education:
B.A., Moody Bible Institute, 2001
M.Th., Dallas Theological Seminary, 2005

Background:
Raised in Mexico City in a Catholic family, Antonio decided to join the priesthood as a teen. But upon hearing the Word rightly divided at a Bible church, he came to faith in Christ alone. Called to ministry as a young adult, he co-pastored a Bible church in Mexico, then started a Spanish-speaking church at Armitage Baptist in Chicago. Antonio was invited back to Mexico to pastor the church he was saved in, and the congregation grew from 70 to 250. Familiar and resonating with the Harvest pillars and discipleship model, he connected to Harvest Bible Fellowship regarding church planting potential. He has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico.

Family:
Married to Becky; father to Jessica

Ministry Experience:
2005-date | Senior Pastor, Iglesia Biblica de Tlalpan; Mexico City, Mexico
2003-2005 | Pastor, Iglesia Biblica El Buen Pastor; Dallas, TX
2001-2002 | Outreach Minister, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; Dallas, TX1998-2001 | Director of Spanish Ministries, Armitage Baptist Church; Chicago, IL
ThuThursdayMarMarch10th2011 Harvest University
Posted Thursday, March 10 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
Last year a bus load of people from Harvest Barrie made the trip to Chicago for a great time at Harvest University.  We're hoping that as many people as possible will be able to join us for this year's conference. 

All the details of the Harvest Barrie trip are right here:

GOD IS PASSIONATE ABOUT BUILDING HIS CHURCH. SO ARE WE.
HARVEST UNIVERSITY - MAY 9-11



HARVEST UNIVERSITY: 2.5 days of intensive ministry equipping—a leadership conference you won't want to miss!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER JAMES MACDONALD, Harvest Bible Chapel's Founding and Senior Pastor, Kent Shaw, Harvest Bible Fellowship's Executive Director, and pastoral staff and leaders from various Harvest Bible Chapels deliver high-caliber, application-oriented teaching drawn from years of fruitful ministry.

3 MAIN SESSIONS | 10 TEACHING TRACKS | 5 WORKSHOPS: In addition to teaching content, we’ll gather for dynamic, Spirit-filled worship, iron-sharpening fellowship + strategic ministry planning. Harvest University is designed to be a window of opportunity to assemble your staff and leaders, recalibrate your direction and processes + further the reach of your impact for Christ.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • PRE-CONFERENCE NIGHT OF WORSHIP + PRAYER  |   SUNDAY, MAY 8—6:00-7:30p All are invited to this free, pre-conference evening of worship + prayer at the Harvest Elgin Campus worship center.
  • NEW TRACKS: ACCELERATE  |  For churches of 250+ that are ready to break through to the next stage of ministry; HARVEST 101 + CHURCH PLANTING  |  For leaders + church planters looking to establish a firm ministry foundation
  • WORKSHOP BREAKOUTS: 5 Workshops per track, including 2 breakout sessions to target specific church/ministry sizes + issues.
  • TEAM + MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT TIME: 2 Dedicated opportunities for directed team time + developing a strategic ministry plan.
  • HARVEST TRAINING CENTER GRADUATION CEREMONY  | MAY 9—4:15-5:30 p.m. Celebrate the commencement of our future Harvest Senior Pastors!  |  Open to all
  • DINNER + "WHAT IF..." MOVIE SCREENING | TUESDAY EVENING Directed by Harvest's Dallas Jenkins, will be shown in the worship center at 7:30 p.m. following a free dinner for all.


HARVEST BARRIE PACKAGE

REGISTRATION is due by April 18, 2011, with a $100 down payment. Payment can be made by cash or cheque or by credit card at the bookstore on Sundays.  If you'd like to pay online, . The balance of the payment is due no later than Monday, May 2, 2011.  Total cost is $260.  Registration and down payment can be transferred if accommodations allow, but not refunded.

If you are interested in driving (or insist on it) please let us know. We will be working on carpooling for those who attend (no bus this year). Please be sure that your passport is valid and up to date. It is also your responsibility to arrange for the proper health insurance while you are out of the country.

BORDER CROSSING:  After an absence of 48 hours you can claim CAN $400 worth of goods without paying any duty. Check out this link for Twitter updates about border crossing wait times.

HOTEL INFORMATION: Package cost is based on double occupancy. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.  It offers high-speed Internet, fitness centre and an indoor pool. Bennigan’s restaurant is attached. It is located at 495 Airport Road Elgin, IL 60123 P. 847-488-9000

SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS: South Randall Rd (about five minutes drive from Harvest) there is plaza with a Target, Hobby Lobby etc., there is also a Lonestar Steakhouse across the street. Spring Hill Mall (West Dundee, IL about a 15 minute drive from Harvest), across the street there is a Chili’s, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Huntley Outlet Center (Huntley, IL about 30 minutes drive from Harvest). Nearby restaurants include: Great Steak & Potato, Chicago Grill, Subway and Villa Pizza.

CONFERENCE LOCATION: Harvest Elgin 1000 North Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60123 P. 847-398-7005


SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, MAY 8
Each vehicle determines own departure time. Drive time is about 12 hours.
6-7:30 p.m. – Worship and prayer night, pre-conference, no cost, open to all, Elgin campus

MONDAY, MAY 9
8-10 a.m. – Registration/Continental breakfast
10-11:45 a.m. – Main session 1
11:45-12:45 p.m. – Lunch
1-2:15 p.m. – Workshop 1
2:15-2:30 p.m. – Break
2:30-3:45 p.m. – Workshop 2 (Breakouts)
3:45-4 p.m. Break
4-6 p.m. – Team and ministry development (opportunity to meet with those from your church and discuss)
6-8 p.m. – Off-site dinner (on your own)

TUESDAY, MAY 10
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Continental breakfast
8:30-9 a.m. – Worship
9:15-10:30 a.m. – Workshop 3
10:30-10:45 a.m. – Break
10:45-Noon – Workshop 4 (breakouts)
Noon-1 p.m. – Lunch
1-2:45 p.m. – Main session 2
2:45-3 p.m. – Break
3-4:15 p.m. – Team and ministry development
4:15-5:30 p.m. – Harvest training center graduation ceremony (open to all)
5:30p.m. – On-site dinner, buffet dinner, no cost
7:30 p.m. - "What If..." movie screening

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Continental breakfast
8:30-9:45 a.m. – Workshop 5
9:45-10 a.m. - Break
10-11:45 a.m. – Main session 3 and close

THURSDAY, MAY 12 2:30 a.m. – approximate arrival in Barrie

Breakfast and lunch are provided at no additional cost during the conference. There is also free WIFI available during the conference.

REGISTRATION is due by April  18, 2011, with a $100 down payment. Payment can be made by cash or cheque or by credit card at the bookstore on Sundays.  If you'd like to pay online, . The balance of the payment is due no later than Monday, May 2, 2011.  Total cost is $260.  Registration and down payment can be transferred if accommodations allow, but not refunded.
ThuThursdayFebFebruary17th2011 Got Joy?
Posted Thursday, February 17 2011 @ 6 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
This article, relevant to last Sunday's message, is from this month's Our Journey daily devotional.

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  - Philippians 3:13-14

It may be hard to accept this news but joy is a personal choice. I'd much rather think the opposite - to claim that people and circumstances steal my joy or to think that joy is accidental and I'm not accident prone! I hate the idea that the reason I don't have joy sometimes is because I'm simply not choosing it.

I don't know how full your joy meter is registering right now, but I can tell you on the authority of God's Word that if the reading is low or the arrow is on empty, you can find joy again in the person of Jesus Christ himself. You can choose the joy found in following Jesus.

Sometimes people who have known the Lord for a while get bored. They think, "There's gotta be something more, something better, something different."  Having Jesus in their life doesn't seem as exciting as it was.  And off they go in search of some kind of unbiblical extravagance to satisfy that itch. To that, the apostle Paul posts a big warning sign in Philippians 3:13-14:

"<Forget> what lies behind and <strain> forward to what lies ahead...I press on!"

Instead of longing for more or better or different, God calls us deeper and stronger. Philippians 3 continues, "hold true to what we have attained" (v. 16).

Choosing joy every day involves holding fast to God.  Keep depending on Christ.  Do you still lean on him as completely as when you first came to the cross?  Is every step with God one of dependence and faith? What uncertainty lies ahead? What obstacle are you being called to conquer right now? Do you want joy amidst those challenges? Say, I can't do it, Lord; only you can do it in me.

What do you need to do today to regain lost joy? Stop trying so hard in your own strength to be what God wants you to be and move back into that dependent, Christ-centred approach to life.  Remember that the same way you came to the Lord is also how you'll grow in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7).

Want more joy? Get back on the track of desperate dependence on God and abiding faith.

James MacDonald
WedWednesdayFebFebruary16th2011 Testimonies to renew your confidence in the transforming power of the gospel
Posted Wednesday, February 16 2011 @ 6 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 1 comments Add comment
From  Pastor James MacDonald's blog, Vertical Church...

The family of God is truly vast and sometimes on the blogosphere I encounter one of our ‘weird’ cousins saying some outrageous things. Recently I linked to a link from a link from a . . . I wandered off and found someone writing about what they called, “the evangelical myth of transformation.” He went on at length to describe how the Gospel’s promise of transformation is mainly kingdom/someday vs. here and now. This is so bizarre to me that I am not even going to link to it . . .

Here’s a quote: “I keep on looking at my own life, and at church history, and I realize that when the Gospel talks about transformation, it can't possibly mean an actual, literal change in this life of a dramatic nature, except in a few instances. It must be primarily eschatological; it must be referring to the fact that we will in fact be changed. . . . But we can't get into the habit of thinking that this dramatic change is normal, this side of the Kingdom. What's normal this side of the Kingdom is falling into sin (in big or small ways), and then appropriating the grace of God and looking forward to the transformation to come.”

Okay, that is hyper-grace in the truest sense and must reflect an exegesis of personal experience more than an exegesis of Scripture.

Jude 2:5 “Certain people have crept in unnoticed who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Romans 6:14 “Sin shall not be your master, you are not under law but under grace.”

So much scripture could be listed here, but how about 3 videos two of specific stories and one a grouping of people all from our church, all reporting the powerful life transforming experience of the gospel. Click below and renew your confidence in the transforming power of the Gospel:

God at Work: Bob Zielinski
To view video, please visit this blog entry on the web.

God At Work: Rob Weincek
To view video, please visit this blog entry on the web.

Lives Changed, Jesus Proclaimed
To view video, please visit this blog entry on the web.

I feel badly for anyone not experiencing the transforming power of the Gospel in their life and in their church. Grace is truly AMAZING but it is not an excuse to keep on sinning. Romans 6:1-2

“We all, with unveiled faces are beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord and are DAILY being CHANGED into that image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
TueTuesdayFebFebruary15th2011 The Elephant Room
Posted Tuesday, February 15 2011 @ 10 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment


The Elephant Room is a one-day event hosted by Pastor James MacDonald and including seven influential pastors that are planning to have the conversations you never thought you'd hear.

The event will be held at the Harvest Aurora Campus in Illinois on Thursday, March 31, 2011, with a simulcast event being broadcast live to key cities across Canada and the Unites States.

These aren't sermons, just blunt conversations in a unique format designed to push past canned talks and bring real insight and instruction to church leaders.

Let's talk about some elephants in the room.  Let the conversations begin.

The Elephant Room

http://theelephantroom.com/
Harvest Oakville
Thursday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Register Here
WedWednesdayJanJanuary12th2011 Walk in the Word Update
Posted Wednesday, January 12 2011 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
We're privileged to have had a partnership with Walk in the Word and Pastor James MacDonald since the planting of this church in 2001. In the coming year, we'll be launching our own Harvest Canada weekly radio ministry on Sunday mornings on Life 100.3 featuring teaching pastors from Central Ontario.  

Let's rejoice in the great work God does through such teaching ministries.  Here's a recent update received from WITW...

As we approach the end of the year, I am happy to tell you that God is at work at Walk in the Word. As we follow Him, and allow Him to direct our path, we are healthy and growing. It has been a year where we have flourished.

We want the exciting and miraculous events of 2010 to strengthen, develop, and prepare us for even greater things in the New Year.

God has blessed us in ways we never could have imagined. The Lord has allowed us to accomplish so much in 2010…

We visited 18 cities in 12 states during our Bus Tour. Hundreds gave their lives to the Lord for the first time and thousands more strengthened their faith and gained a deeper understanding of God's Word.

We expanded our daily radio coverage, and now Walk in the Word is heard on over 1,000 radio stations across America and Canada.

And this is amazing…We received a donation of a 20-million-dollar television production facility. The studio and the technology it provides will enable Walk in the Word to produce greater resources to reach more people.

These are just a few of the amazing blessings of 2010. And as great as 2010 has been I know that 2011 will even be better.

You and I may never know everyone impacted by Walk in the Word, or all the various ways lives are transformed by this ministry, but I am confident that as we continue to be faithful in passionately proclaiming His Word over the airways we are doing our part to fulfill the Great Commission.

Healthy things grow and flourish! When you sow into this ministry you are sowing into good soil that will certainly reap a harvest in the hearts and minds of millions.

There is nothing more important than planting God's Word in the hearts of man.

Know that I value and appreciate you and your partnership. I pray that you are encouraged to know that the Lord is using you, multiplying your gifts, and answering your prayers for our ministry.

Walking in the Word,

James MacDonald
MonMondayJanJanuary3rd2011 New Harvests in 2011
Posted Monday, January 03 2011 @ 6 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
New Harvests in 2011
Harvest Bible Fellowship

"I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

As the Lord continues to build his church, we are privileged to announce these new Harvest Bible Chapels in development for launch in 2011. For more information, connect directly through their web sites or contact form links below.

Help us spread the word—share this page on Facebook or via email so others can learn about, and get involved with, these new works of God!

>> Harvest Bloomington Indiana
>> Harvest Baltimore North Maryland
>> Harvest Chattanooga Tennessee
>> Harvest Perth Australia
>> Harvest Fresno California
>> Harvest Philadelphia Pennsylvania
>> Harvest Kathmandu Nepal
>> Harvest Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
>> Harvest Knoxville Tennessee
>> Harvest Rochester Minnesota
>> Harvest Metanoia Felnac Romania
>> Harvest Tysons Virginia
>> Harvest Niagara Ontario

Download the January prayer calendar.

Church Plant Challenge {Upcoming Churches} from Harvest Worship on Vimeo.
ThuThursdayDecDecember30th2010 Harvest Bible Fellowship International Church Planting Update
Posted Thursday, December 30 2010 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
"Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so" (Deuteronomy 4:10).

As our mission to plant churches alive with the gospel of Jesus Christ continues around the world, we are seeing lives transformed, churches renewed and communities developed.  This has been an exciting year for us in International Church Planting as God has determined our steps and opened new doors for effective ministry. In 2010, eight new Harvest International churches have been planted or coached through a full transition. I thought it might be helpful to give you a snapshot of what exists and what is to come, by God's grace, in Harvest International Church Planting.


Please continue to pray for us, the churches, pastors and our partnership in the gospel.  We thank God for you and remember you always in our prayers.

Harvest Bible Fellowship
www.harvestbiblefellowship.ca
MonMondayDecDecember13th2010 Romania Church Plant Project
Posted Monday, December 13 2010 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Global Ministries 2 comments Add comment
Harvest Barrie is excited to partner with Harvest Bible Fellowship in giving toward the Romania church plant project.  Our elders would like to invite you to participate in our Christmas offering for Romania.  Below is an excerpt from a letter from HBF concerning the work in Romania and below that is a video outlining what God has already accomplished through the Metanoia church. 
As you are aware, the Lord is bringing fruitfulness to our churches in various ways and one of the "Only God " growth areas is in Eastern Europe under the dynamic leadership of Cristian Barbosu and his Elders.

At HBF, we have partnered with these brothers in birthing six Harvest Metanoia churches and two village churches in five years and there is much more, we believe, that God wants to do in this challenging part of the world.

We are sending you some information produced here in the states with the support of HBF which outlines the fruitfulness to date and the faith filled vision which God has given to this local church.  The Metanoia Fellowship is effectively and operationally our Eastern Europe mission vehicle.  We have established an agreement for supporting and encouraging these autonomous local churches which recognizes them all as sister churches of all HBF church plants; they are Harvest Bible Chapels!  Harvest Bible Fellowship is working with these leaders to equip them and give us all a good and godly sense of ownership of this ministry expansion. We are praying by faith for another seven fold growth in the next five years and want to equip and accommodate this growth by helping with the funding to build the Eastern European hub of HBF at Cristian's church in Arad Romania.

The local church is committed to a substantial portion of the cost of each phase being raised in Romania. Yet without foreign investment, there are no banks or even wealthy Romanian Christians who love the Lord and his work. But praise  God, we in North America can partner with our brothers.   Recently a Christian in Texas agreed to match the first $500,000 given by December 31 - a generous gift which if fully subscribed, with the funds already raised by the Romanian Church, would see Phase I built and fully paid for by this time next year.

Metanoia Building1 from HBF Church Plants on Vimeo.

Donate online or with your regular giving on Sundays.
ThuThursdayOctOctober21st2010 Harvest Bible Fellowship Fall Update
Posted Thursday, October 21 2010 @ 10 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Harvest Bible Fellowship 0 comments Add comment
In the past two months, 12 new Harvest Bible Chapels have launched. This is an extraordinary thing to be able to report. The Lord has blessed our movement with what are now 62 Harvest locations where the Word is going forth, Christ is being lifted high, and lives are being changed for eternity.


We praise God for this season of abundant fruitfulness, and for the multiple opportunities for planting churches that he continues to open to us.

In North America, new core groups are developing in Baltimore, Maryland; Boise, Idaho; and Tennessee.

Internationally, we are qualifying potential future locations in London, England; Felnac and Ramnicu Valcea, Romania; leading a Harvest U-style training for Metanoia leaders in Oroshaza, Hungary; and overseeing the formal launch of Harvest Metanoia Vienna, Austria.

Launches this month included Harvest Columbus with Luke Ahrens, and Harvest Gianda under elder leadership. At the Columbus launch the Lord moved powerfully, bringing 315 in attendance.

Lastly, a great opportunity from Moody Theological Seminary: MTS is partnering with our Fellowship to offer a 25% discount on all graduate courses (on-site and online) to members of every Harvest Bible Chapel. More information is available by .

We are grateful for your partnership in the Gospel, and we covet your prayers in the decisions ahead. We continue to pray the Lord's abundant and sustaining grace upon you as well.

Harvest Bible Fellowship
WedWednesdaySepSeptember29th2010 HBF: New Developments in Vienna
Posted Wednesday, September 29 2010 @ 8 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." John 4:35b

We are humbled and excited to share with you another new development taking place in Harvest Bible Fellowship.

In February 2010, a group of Romanian believers living in Vienna, Austria made a bold step of faith to plant a church. This core group of 14 people longed for something new. Committed to organizing youth conferences in Eastern Europe, this group had previously interacted with Pastor Cristian Barbosu of Arad, Romania. Knowing what God had called Pastor Cristian to in Arad, these families soon connected to explore possible next steps.

In May, the core group visited Harvest Metanoia Arad, Romania to learn about the model and approach of being a church committed to the distinctives of Harvest Bible Chapel. They left renewed in their vision to plant a life-giving, relevant church committed to the Word of God, testimony of Jesus Christ, and the making of disciples.

In June, 27 committed members and another 30 attenders began worshiping together, desiring to become a Harvest Metanoia church.

Since this development, the leaders of Harvest Metanoia churches in Romania have continued to teach, equip and empower this group of believers. Senior pastors from the five existing churches in Romania are preaching and instilling the commitment we share in upholding the pillars of God's Word, worship, prayer, and evangelism while making quality disciples. Materials, curricula, guides and department visions have been imparted.

Currently, the search is on for a senior pastor for this young church.

In October, Kirk VanMaanen, director of international church planting for Harvest Bible Fellowship, will meet in Vienna with the launch team. Our prayer is that this visit will galvanize the mission and initiate the launch of Harvest Metanoia Vienna.

This group of believers fully embrace Harvest Metanoia values and approach to discipleship. Their vision to grow into high-impact services that extend the gospel of grace to both Romanian immigrants in Vienna and native Austrians/Germans, is clear and in motion. We long for the day we are able to announce Vienna among the fellowship of churches called Metanoia.

Pray for:
  • The provision of a senior pastor.Harvest Bible Fellowship's visit with the launch team in October.
  • Unity, clarity and passion among leaders for implementing the core values, distinctive, and approach of Harvest Metanoia.
  • The thousands of Romanian immigrants in Vienna to be reached with the good news of Jesus.
  • The fulfillment of these believers' vision to transition to a high-impact, church-planting church to reach Austria for Christ.
TueTuesdaySepSeptember21st2010 Churches Helping Churches: Ministering in Leogane and Beyond
Posted Tuesday, September 21 2010 @ 9 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Global Ministries 0 comments Add comment
“It’s like they were waiting for us. It was a dry land, and we were pouring water on it.”

This was Jacques Louis’ comment to me as we evaluated our time in Léogâne, the city nearest to the epicenter of the earthquake.  From September 2 to 4, pastors and church leaders from a wide range of denominations showed up, and they were on-time everyday. (This does not happen all that often here.)

Churches Helping ChurchesOur meeting site was dark and poorly vented. The STEP faculty, who took more ownership of the teaching this time around, and I were constantly making eye contact and shaking our heads at the unbearable conditions. And when Haitians say, “It’s hot,” it is indeed sweltering. Every shirt in that room was drenched.

Yet, none of the attendees complained. As we taught on crisis, the emphasis was on the personal healing of the pastor first, then to their congregation. These men and women quickly embraced this vision and were unusually hungry for God’s truth. They were unphased in their learning, frantically jotting down notes and asking to repeat key phrases. In our Q&A sessions, they were looking for coaching on current, hands-on struggles. As we equipped them with Biblical responses to shed light on their situation, they were so grateful for each answer. I felt terrible each time I had to end the session.

A major component of this retreat is the mutual ministry to one another. We give them a vision for small groups and coach them daily throughout the conference. During a morning huddle, one small group leader said, “We have never seen this (small groups) before. We ask a question, and it’s like a free ride! I will continue this in my ministry after the conference.” When I asked if any others were planning on implementing small groups in their churches as a follow-up, they responded in vehement agreement. (Special thanks to Pastor Mike Wilkerson of Mars Hill Church in Seattle for his instrumental leadership in small group architecture for this retreat.)

I've been overwhelmed with the gratitude for these retreats – gratitude for one another and most of all, gratitude to “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 2:4).
Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
SearchSearch
© Harvest Bible Chapel - Barrie | 705-739-8613 | info@harvestbarrie.ca
Powered by iMinistries, a Church Website Content Management System.