Harvester Christian Church

Harvester Christian Church is one of the most loving and giving churches my wife and I have ever experienced. There is a great sense of family here and that may seem unlikely for a large church, but many of our friends at Harvester would agree - we're family here.There are approximately 100 ministries plus home groups to be involved in. This church is a vibrant, dynamic and a growing group of Bible believers whose emphasis is serving not only one another but the community and missions around the world. Many of these ministries are like a small group in themselves and close relationships and deep friendships development and become a great blessing. I remember Ben Merold heard once that "Harvester wasn't a friendly church" and he addressed this issue from the pulpit. He directed visitors and regular attenders not to sit back and wait for someone to greet them or involve them. They should take the initiative themselves. There's no excuse to leave a church and say, "no one paid any attention to me!" It's your own fault! Don't wait for an invitation. Jump in! To my wife and I, this is what separates Harvester from many other churches. Ministers, members and staff alike take initiative and are passionate about serving and giving. For us, the heart of Harvester's people is serving and giving to others and we are very busy as His church doing that. It's hard for my wife and I to admit that Harvester isn't for everyone. I perceive some newcomers and regular attenders take our busyness to mean we're not interested in them. That's simply not true. Ben said it best. Don't wait for an invitation. Be persistent. Jump in! Get involved in serving and giving. The Lord will bless your initiative and the ownership you take becoming involved. Trust Him in this and He will nurture and feed you and this church will quickly become a family to you. It has for us. If you need help call us. We've had the same phone number since 1986. Look us up! Doug & Liz Teece Pros: Gives and serves others passionately Cons: Not for the pampered - what will you do for me types more

Our family visited HCC for almost a year. We were "regular attenders". We loved Ben Merold's preaching and the choir and praise teams that led worship were authentic and awesome. We recently requested information on how to get involved in several different ministries, as well as wanting to be placed in a small group. We haven't heard a response from one of our requests. It has been almost two months. It is very sad when a church gets so big that they forget that the Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian ministry, regardless of his or her vocation. The leaders of the church have a responsibility to make sure that every attender practice that truth by encouraging and assisting every member to find a place of service and ministry. We are moving on to seek a church where our hands are needed and wanted in service, so that we can glorify the King and grow in and towards Him. I Pet 2:5, 9 / Rev 1:6 / Ex 19:6 / Matt 6:6 Pros: beautiful facility, sound preaching Cons: not a friendly congregation, doesn't welcome newcomers more