next steps
We believe everyone has a next step in growing in their relationship with Jesus. We want to give you the tools you need to take your next steps on your journey. Whether that's publicly declaring your faith in Jesus by getting baptized or leading your first small group, each step is key to growing closer to Jesus and living out the purpose He has for your life.
Receiving Jesus as Savior - Have you recently accepted Jesus as your Savior? Let us know so that we can resource and guide you to your next step in this all-important journey HERE.
Faithfully Attend - Church attendance is God’s will for believers.
Hebrews 10:25 Do not [be] giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
We need the encouragement that church attendance affords. It's the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
Psalm 68:6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Attend Church 101 and Explore Membership - Connect with Harvest, meet the staff and discover the ins and outs of the church, learn details about beliefs, leadership and church government. Learn how we have organized our church and get the opportunity to see if membership at Harvest is the next step for you! Attending Church 101 is a required first step to Membership at Harvest.
Church Membership - Joining a church signifies a tangible commitment to Christ and fellow believers, declaring one's affiliation with a local body of believers. In the local church, believers are called to live out their faith amidst the challenges of real fellowship, acknowledging the imperfections of individuals within the community. This commitment stands in contrast to a culture of low commitment, where preferences often dictate choices. By committing to a church, individuals make a counter-cultural statement, expressing a dedication to give rather than solely receive. Church membership goes beyond seeking care; it involves making a resolute decision to stick with the community, fostering accountability and mutual growth. Drawing from biblical principles and passages like Psalm 68:6 and Hebrews 13:7, joining a church provides a framework for leaders to fulfill their role as faithful shepherds, ensuring genuine care and guidance for the members voluntarily placing themselves under their authority.
Psalm 92:12-13 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They re planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of God.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Serve on a Dream Team - Want to use your God-given gifts to make a difference? The Dream Team is designed to help you use your gifts and passions to make a difference here at Harvest and in your community. We offer many different teams to make it easy for you to serve. From greeting visitors on Sunday, to serving in Children's Ministry. Each team makes an eternal impact.
Water Baptism - Baptism is an important step of obedience that shows others we have personally trusted Jesus for our salvation. Jesus was baptized when He was on the earth, and we do this to follow His example. When Christians are baptized, they are submerged under water to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection.
We believe that water baptism is a public declaration of three important things: you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are beginning a changed life in Christ, and you are part of God's family.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Tithing - We strive to reach people both locally and globally with the life-giving message of Jesus Christ and your tithes and offerings enable us to fulfill that mission.
Acts 20:35 'In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ' It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Church for the Harvest maintains the highest standards of biblical stewardship and accountability, board governance, financial transparency, integrity in fundraising and use of the church’s resources.
Life Groups
Attend - Life Groups are how we care for each other and they have one simple purpose; bringing people together. We are truly better together, and you'll find you agree once you join your first group.
Co-lead - This role of a co-leader is part of the equipping process at Harvest. You are encouraged to come alongside a seasoned leader and assist them in leading a group before launching your own.
Lead - You don't need to have it all together to host a Life Group - you just have to be willing to let God use you. Contact the church office who will connect you with our Life Group Lead to discuss next steps toward leading your first group! We believe God uses Life Groups to change people's lives, and as a leader, you get to be a part of that!
Duplicate yourself - In the context of Matthew 28:19–20, known as the Great Commission. This biblical directive calls believers to make disciples of all nations, with the primary command being to "make disciples." The accompanying actions of "going," "baptizing," and "teaching" serve as the means to fulfill this command. The concept of discipleship is explained as following and obeying Christ, imitating His example, and spreading the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 is integrated into the Great Commission, highlighting the global scope of the mission. The overarching message is to actively engage in the business of the kingdom, echoing the parable in Luke 19:13, "Occupy till I come." The call to share the faith reflects God's desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.