It was the fall of 1995 and I was a M. Div. student at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. I was invited back to my home church to lead a youth rally in the newly built Troy United Methodist Church Family Life Center. That evening, I gave an invitation for anyone who wanted to join me in camp and music ministry the following summer to let me know. I honestly had no idea what God had in store.
That first summer three people signed up and it was like dynamite. We traveled, served and lived on faith. The churches, camps, students and leaders responded in huge ways.
We tried a few names for the group, but by the next summer, we landed on Harvest Ministry Team – which fit the goal, to serve in the vast harvest fields. The single largest mission field is people under 18 years old! At the heart of Harvest Ministry is a goal to help the church reach the next generation. Through worship, conferences, training, equipping and connections, Harvest has been chipping away at this goal for two decades.
This summer marks the 20th summer of sending teams into ministry. Approximately 235 people have served on Harvest Teams. Thousands of children, students and adults have been recipients of the ministry and message of Harvest. Countless lives have been transformed through the power of Christ.
I’m grateful and joy-filled about the work that has been done. With anticipation, I’m looking forward to this summer – 2015! And I am inviting you to join us.
On June 8 – this year’s team will assemble, prepare, get into the van and go. We are trusting God to lead us and provide opportunities to help shape the church. We’re praying for Kingdom impact.
You’re invited to join in the big mission…
We want to reach the next generation! In fact, our goal for the next ten years, Lord willing, is to share the love of Christ with 25,000 students, 500 of whom will grow to serve the church as their primary vocation. 25,000 x 500 x 2025
Your partnership will not only help us serve effectively this summer, but will help as we seek to accomplish the mission of reach the next generation over the next decade!
How you can become a part…
I’m praying that you will feel led to support the “home mission” of Harvest Ministry this summer and beyond. It’s simple really. You can do this in three ways:
1) A ONE TIME GIFT
2) AN ONGOING MONTHLY GIFT
3) JOIN THE GOLD CLUB
Or if you would rather use the mail, you can make a contribution to the ministry through the mail: Harvest Ministry Teams, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL 62294.
Our Fundraising Goal Is To Trust God
Harvest is funded in three ways: 1) honorariums from events (40%), 2) donations from individuals and partners (40%) and 3) the sale of resources (20%) through Harvest Ministry. We rely on the faithful witness of many generous people who partner with a financial gift to help make the ministry happen.
At times, I know a financial goal helps motivate all of us as we seek to support kingdom mission. But for this season, I am trusting God. I’m afraid at times, my vision has been too small. I’ve seen His faithfulness over and over and I’m confident He will continue to provide, probably in much larger ways that I even realize!
I don’t want to put my faith or the ministry in anything except the hand of God. This is our starting point and ending point.
At a time when more ministry is needed for the next generation, camp and youth ministry budgets continue to shrink. We’re inviting you to help us continue in the mission – also trusting the Lord to lead you. Join us!
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Here are some ways to join us this summer.
– Become a Prayer Partner.
– Make a contribution to the ministry.
– Become a monthly financial supporter.
– Provide Gift Cards for summer meals – this is a huge help and a great way to help sponsor the team (you can give these to Suzanne Price, suzanne@harvestministryteams.com).
– Take a look at a recent blog post about the conference ministry over the school year.
– Sign up on the email list and stay connected.
– Sponsor the Harvest “Twenty Years” T-shirt.
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