Newsletter Archive

    TueTuesdayMarMarch22nd2011 Vamos a México | La Cosecha
    Posted Tuesday, March 22 2011 @ 1 PM
    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, TX

    1998—2001 | Director of Spanish Ministries, Armitage Baptist Church; Chicago, IL
    FriFridayFebFebruary18th2011 Eyes Open - 2011 STMissions
    Posted Friday, February 18 2011 @ 1 PM
    Why do a short-term mission?  Because lives will be changed - both here and there.  Most team leaders I talk with are pretty honest about such trips: they often bring about more change in the lives of the participants who go than in the lives of those who receive them.  Yet when I talk with the host church in another country, they speak of the extraordinary change that has come to their people as a result of being encouraged, equipped and sharpened.

    You could even say the result of short-term missions is nearly equal both here and there regarding changed lives.  Our goal is much more than a trip for our people and much more than just a project to complete.  We are going for 'building up the church and equipping the saints for the work of ministry - both here and there."  Our aim is discipleship and joining God where He is already at work; across the board!

    There's much to be gained in going ... and much to miss out on should you decide to wait.

    18 Harvest GO-TEAMS are forming now from 10 different Harvest churches

    God bless as we "go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

    ~Kirk VanMaanen | Director of International Church Planting
    WedWednesdayJanJanuary12th2011 Look-out for the Left-out | Ploiesti, Romania
    Posted Wednesday, January 12 2011 @ 10 AM
    Harvest-Metanoia Ploiesti: a Romanian inner-city church

    In December Harvest-Metanoia Ploiesti in Romania had as their aim to give bring Christ to the neediest and most isolated people in their city. Led by Senior Pastor Cristi Pana, children, youth and adults from the church made decisions to give rather than receive this Christmas season, and to lift their eyes to see the fields around them are truly white to harvest.

    Here are just a few of the multi-faceted outreach initiatives this young church leaned into in the past month...


    		  

    READ YOUR BIBLE FOR CHRISTMAS
    It began on December 11, and a challenge for the city to get their hands on the Word of Life. They had a booth in the middle of the city advertising Bible reading and offering to read the Bible to any passerby. Six teams also went into nearby apartment buildings reading God's Word and distributing Bibles. It was cold day and they faced a lot of opposition, but the church was encouraged!

    The procedure was to ask about reading the Bible through a survey, to offer Bibles to those who didn’t have one, and to give a Gospel tract. In three hours, 120 Bibles were distributed and 193 surveys were completed, of which 150 people gave their contact information and some even wanting to have the Bible read with them on the spot. The church is now committed to following up with everyone, bringing them to a weekend service at the church and inviting them to small groups.

     

    STUDENT + YOUTH CHRISTMAS EVENTS
    December 16, this Harvest held a Student Christmas Event at the University of Ploiesti to reach students for Christ. It resulted in the forming of a mixed group of unbelievers and believers who agreed to an evangelistic small group using the material named “Glad You Asked”, prepared in association with Campus Crusade.

    December 18 brought a Harvest-Metanoia's Youth Christmas Event, designed to bring youth closer to one another and to God.




    COUNTY HOSPITAL
    Next was a medical tour on December 23, as they visited hospitals in Ploiesti and sang to the people suffering there. Those at the County Hospital enjoyed the singing and received customized calendars and a Gospel Tract. When the caroling was halted by a person experiencing a heart attack, they prayed for him to receive help. The medical personnel were so impressed they asked the church to come back next year and minister again.

    PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL
    The church also visited the pediatric hospital, caroled and gave gifts. The church bought some sweets with the money obtained from donating blood.  In this way they saved some lives and brought a smile to others.


    EVENTIDE CHRISTMAS EVENT
    The church had an Eventide Christmas Celebration where children from the church had a Christmas presentation. Then the children went to homes of under-resourced families and visited other families with foster children. Sharing carols and shoe boxes filled with goodies. Taking the Samaritan’s Purse model, they made these shoe boxes from their own money, and named it The Magi‘s Gift.

       

    HOMELESS SHELTER
    Ther    e are 44 beds in this Ploiesti shelter and every night the capacity is full; men, hurting and alone on Christmas. No other visitors found their way into the shelter but the church, who sang carols and handed out cakes. The gospel was presented and the men were moved and filled with joy at having been visited for Christmas.

    ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD
    ...And to bring the message of hope in Christ to those neglected or overlooked.

    This Romanian Harvest-Metanoia church is truly on mission to "look-out for the left-out" and to make disciples of those who might otherwise never step into a church or hear the good news of Jesus Christ and His free gift of eternal life. As they do we are seeing the Gospel advance in this heavily Orthodox city.

    Pray     this body remains fixed on fulfilling the Great Commandment and that through their ministry many will embrace Jesus Christ by faith and be saved!
    TueTuesdayDecDecember14th2010 "Gather the people to me..."
    Posted Tuesday, December 14 2010 @ 9 AM
    "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 parternship in the gospel.  We thank God for you and remember you always in our prayers.
    FriFridayOctOctober29th2010 November Update >> Austria | Nepal
    Posted Friday, October 29 2010 @ 2 PM
    Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised... this is the anthem we are sounding at Harvest!
    In our international church planting, we are actively experiencing the result of years of waiting on the Lord for direction, clarity, and provision. Our energies are focused toward trying to keep pace with opportunities the Lord continues to present, while we enjoy the immense privilege of witnessing Jesus build His Church.


    UPDATES
    The launch of Harvest Gianda, Liberia on October 10 was preceded by the sudden news that Senior Pastor Andrew Kpah went home to be with the Lord. We thank God for Andrew’s life and for the season of ministry we shared together to establish the church in Gianda. Elders are now overseeing the ministry as we seek the Lord to raise up another man of God to lead this church. Your prayers have meant much to the family, the church and to us. Thank you.

    Our first Harvest Metanoia Eastern European conference for small group leaders was held October 14-16 in Oroshaza, Hungary. Over 150 leaders from churches throughout Romania and Austria attended. These on the front line in disciple making leaned in to understand how to encourage the church to Worship, Walk with, and Work for Christ in the context of biblical, vibrant, and healthy small groups.


    AUSTRIA
    In a groundbreaking step forward in Europe, we're excited to announce the October 17 launch of Harvest Metanoia Vienna. Kirk Van Maanen was present on launch Sunday and witnessed the profound joy of the Lord in their assembly.

    This church has vision and determination to lift high the name of Jesus in Vienna. They are moving in pursuit of the God who is mighty to save and asking Him to equip them to impact their city for Christ--no small feat in a region that long ago lost the light of the gospel. Their leadership is qualified and the church is already on mission to flourish into one that will plant many churches throughout Austria.

    Praise God for these hearts “sold-out” for the Lord Jesus. As His Word is proclaimed, we prayerfully anticipate the Spirit's work in bringing forth new life and transforming the landscape in Vienna, and beyond.




    NEPAL
    The Lord is opening an amazing door for Harvest Bible Fellowship to plant churches in Nepal. In November, leaders from the Fellowship and Harvest London, Ontario travel to Nepal to meet with several Nepali pastors and leaders with whom we have cultivated relationships for nearly two years. Given that Nepal is the only Hindu state in the world with 90% Hindu, 5% Buddhist, 3% Muslim and 2% Christian demographics, we move forward in absolute dependence on God’s direction and wisdom.

    While that dependency is always present, stepping into this new context requires us to become extreme learners of how to plant effective, life-giving churches that are appropriate and sustainable in Nepal. The Harvest ministry and church planting model is a biblical one, and we trust God will glorify Himself as we seek to remain humble and teachable while planting churches in other nations. 

    In this instance, we believe the Lord will teach us at least as much as we are able to instruct others. For that we are excited and looking forward to a great harvest of righteousness in Nepal. Join us in praying for spiritual and physical protection for our team, as well as for God’s wisdom in our planting decisions.


    And you were dead in your trespasses and sins...but God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)... Ephesians 2:1,4-5


    Thank you for your partnership in these last days as we proclaim the riches of Christ Jesus among the nations and remain in passionate pursuit of His promise to build His Church!
    ThuThursdaySepSeptember16th2010 Vienna | "Look, I tell you..."
    Posted Thursday, September 16 2010 @ 11 AM
    "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest."  John 4:35b

    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 members formed and another 30 attended to begin worshiping together, desiring to become a Harvest Metanoia church.



    Since this development, leaders of Harvest Metanoia churches in Romania have continued to teach, equip and empower this group of believers.  Sr. 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, & evangelism while making quality disciples.  Materials, curricula, guides and department visions have been imparted.



    Currently, the search is on for a Sr. Pastor for this young church.

    In October, Kirk VanMaanen, director of international church planting for Harvest Bible Fellowship, will be traveling to Vienna to meet 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, soon coming, we are able to announce Vienna among the fellowship of churches called Metanoia.

    Pray for:
    • The provision of a Sr. 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.
    WedWednesdayAugAugust11th2010 God's Grace on Display | Arad, Romania
    Posted Wednesday, August 11 2010 @ 8 AM

    It is our privilege to share this powerful display of God's grace in the lives of His people.

    More than a presentation of various ministries or an organization, this video is a statement of the fact that Harvest Metanoia Arad is passionately building His Church!


    Metanoia Arad is a community of believers who fully experience God and want to live in a dynamic and genuine way to lift high the name of Jesus...
    click image to view video


    On a continent where hundreds of churches are closing each year due to the lack of believers, this church is growing by an average of 100 members annually. Every weekend 600 adults and 140 children worship at Metanoia Arad (with approximately 500 meeting in over 50 small groups). Three services every weekend are not enough to keep from overfilling their auditorium seating; lack of space has been a primary issue for the past few years.

    Enter prayer and fasting... Metanoia believers were rotating through a fast every day for three years and seeking the Lord fervently because there were no visible options; nothing existed in Arad to meet their worship needs. Then in the fall of 2009, after looking at more than thirty properties, the Lord provided a 2-acre piece of land adjacent to Arad's most traveled road and railway. By the spring of 2010, the church raised enough money to purchase the property.

    The plan now is to build. Leaders and the Metanioa congregation are trusting God once again to provide as only He can to raise up a new home for the believers in Arad. Step one is to sell their current building, which will enable them to build a gymnasium on the property for a place to gather for services until the Lord provides the funds needed to build a worship center.

    What can you do?
    1. Pray. This is our most important request! Pray with us that God will bless His people and for this work to be established by His hand, so that our only boast is in the Lord Jesus.
    2. Share this with other believers and your network of friends/family to enlist their prayers. Freely forward your newsletter or click the "share" or "email" icons at the top of the news article.
    3. Help through a matching fund. Our goal is to support this work financially and our hope is to tell the church in Arad we will match their giving dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000. While the weight of this capital campaign needs to be carried by the church in Arad, we would like to match their faithfulness if God enables us to do so. (Harvest Bible Fellowship has established an account for this matching gift where tax deductible contributions can be made. Contact if the Lord leads you in this direction.)
    4. Keep praying! God has already used Metanoia Arad to plant five daughter churches, and we trusting He will further His Kingdom through this church throughout Romania and Europe. Pray that the testimony of the Lord Jesus and the Word of God will continue to be proclaimed in this country and all of Europe with boldness.
    FriFridayJulJuly23rd2010 Four in Two + More
    Posted Friday, July 23 2010 @ 8 AM
    "...Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. " John 4:35



    FOUR in TWO | 4 harvest bible chapels in 2 countries launching this fall

    It is with great joy to report that  four (+ more) Harvest Bible Chapel International Churches are preparing for launch this fall.  As a result of much prayer and waiting on the Lord, a new work is being expressed at four Harvest churches in two countries.  It is very possible that this number may grow as Harvest Core Groups in Austria and Romania are considering possible launch dates in 2010.

    St. Vincent Island | www.harveststvincent.org
    Sr. Pastor Al Blake
    Launching September 5

    Gbornee, Liberia
    Sr. Pastor Sundygar Whetoe
    Launching September 19

    Harmonville, Liberia
    Sr. Pastor William P. Jacobs
    Launching September 19

    Gianda, Liberia
    Sr. Pastor Andrew Kpah
    Launching October 10

    + MORE PRESENTING | Potential 2010 Launches | contingent on health, strength and financial viability of core groups
    • Vienna, Austria
    • Felnac, Romania



    Join us as we wait upon the Lord and the fulfillment of His promise to build the Church.  His plan is unfolding and we are thankful to God for the role He allows all of us to have together in this great mission of seeing life-giving churches planted - alive with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    Would you pray with us that Christ would be exalted in these churches as men and women in these countries commit their ways to the Lord and seek Him to establish their steps.

    "...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Matthew 16:18
    ThuThursdayJunJune24th2010 A Picture of Progress: Ghioroc, Romania
    Posted Thursday, June 24 2010 @ 10 AM

    As a child, Marcel Opris was taught by example to love the Word of God.         Both of his grandfathers were pastors, and he saw in them an authentic love and passion for God and His people. Though living as a “repenter” was not easy under communism, Marcel surrendered his heart to the Lord as a youth.

    Marcel remembers, “I knew that there had to more to this life in Christ then just going to church and being persecuted for that. I knew in my heart that what God required from us was much greater than religiosity. He wanted my whole life, and I committed to worshiping and serving Him with everything.”

    This commitment led Marcel to study at the Theological Baptist Institute, to marry his wife Neliana, and to raise a family that lives for the Lord. Today daughters Ligia and Larisa, 18 and 14, are growing in their relationships with Christ and actively involved in the church.


    Marcel and his family have been very involved in leadership at Harvest Metanoia Arad. They live in a village outside of Arad called Ghioroc. It has been their desire to see God raise up a worshiping body in Ghioroc that would be bold in proclaiming the Word of God and giving testimony to the Lord Jesus. Through their faithful and enduring commitment to this village and a small group of believers, God has blessed this body with growth and vitality.

    Marcel served as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, pastor assistant and missionary while professionally he worked as an engineer. In May 2010, he left his professional career and accepted the invitation to be full-time in vocational ministry as Senior Pastor of Harvest Metanoia Ghioroc.


    Marcel says, “As we served at Harvest Metanoia Arad we saw the values, the context, the vision and passion which motivated me to start to a new work in Ghioroc.  My family and I have decided to donate part of our home and land to the Lord with the help of Harvest Bible Chapel Indy West.  We believe that the vision, the pillars and values of Harvest Bible Chapel will help us to be a relevant church for this generation.”

    The desire of Harvest Metanoia Ghioroc is: "To be a testimony of Jesus Christ in the community. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that many people would be saved. To be a church that seeks to know Christ and make Him known. To live our lives in a way that brings glory to God."

    Pray with us for this new work, that as they seek first the kingdom of God and delight themselves in Him, these desires would be fulfilled in abundance...

    ThuThursdayMayMay13th2010 Forging Ahead in St. Vincent
    Posted Thursday, May 13 2010 @ 8 AM

    Forging ahead with the planting of any church is a humbling and exciting process     —and the planting of Harvest Bible Chapel St. Vincent Island in the Caribbean is, perhaps, even more so.

    Throughout this process the Lord has clearly shown that He will bring the people He desires with hearts that are compelled, contagious, and committed.

    To build momentum among the launch team, Senior Pastor Al Blake is leading the team through the study, Gripped by the Greatness of God, by James MacDonald. This study in the book of Isaiah has proven to be life-transforming for members of the launch team. They are truly seeing God explode any idea they had for His majesty, and standing in wonder as they see Him unfold His purpose and provision.



    This team has sought the Lord and are experiencing His Word which says, "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry." Our God answers BIG prayers as His people cry out to Him for help...

    In answer to much prayer, God has brought uniquely gifted and passionate leaders to oversee the ministries of Worship, Assimilation, Prayer and Compassion / Missions. Finances are limited and property on the island is scarce, yet a location for the new church's office has been provided...leaders aim to open its doors by June.

    And one of most exciting answers is where the church will begin holding worship services: The Aquatic Club, a popular entertainment center on the island. Since its renovation this club has allowed other events to be held on its property, and the owner has graciously agreed for it to be the opening venue for Harvest Bible Chapel St. Vincent.     The club's owner went on to tell Al, “Pastor, the Lord laid it on my heart to help you.”

    Through those words and these answers the Lord has continued to stir excitement and anticipation, as the launch team clearly sees Him paving the way for this life-giving work!


    With Harvest St. Vincent moving toward a September launch, join us in praying:
    • That God would guide and develop this launch team as they seek to know Christ and make Him known.
    • For a qualified and called person to lead the Children's Ministry.
    • For additional team members to commit to the vision of Harvest Bible Chapel, roll-up their sleeves, and establish this church.
    • For the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus to reach the lost on this island.
    • For protection and provision for Al Blake, his family, and the church leaders to continue being united in vision, purpose, and mission to proclaim the gospel and effectively disciple believers in planting this church.
    "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?"
    Exodus 15:11
    TueTuesdayAprApril13th2010 The Lifter of My Head
    Posted Tuesday, April 13 2010 @ 9 AM


    Harvest Bible Chapel Paynesville, Liberia continues pressing on in faith and believing in God as the shield and lifter of our heads.

    The largest UN Peacekeeping Force in the world is helping to stabilize and rebuild Liberia in cooperation with the democratically-elected government installed in 2006. Fourteen years of civil war affected many things, leaving a path of destruction...but in no way is it changing God's promises to His children.


    "O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lift of my head." Psalm 3

    On a recent trip to Liberia, Harvest Bible Fellowship's Sandy Song, assistant to Kirk Van Maanen, director of International Church Planting, joined the worship team of Paynesville to bring a testimony straight out of Psalm 3.

    God has faithfully sustained Harvest Paynesville's Worship Leaders, Bobby and Sylvia, through many trials and war crimes committed against them. As you can imagine, it brings us joy to share their voices with you, as they have awakened again to proclaim that salvation belongs to the Lord!


    "...for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid..."
    Continue to keep the Harvest Bible Chapels of Liberia in prayer as they seek to be the praise of His glory!
    WedWednesdayMarMarch17th2010 Welcoming a New Harvest: Metanoia Brasov
    Posted Wednesday, March 17 2010 @ 9 AM

    Surrounded by the Transylvania Alps in central Romania, Brasov (a city of over 290,000) is now home to the fourth Metanoia Harvest church!

    The Lord brought this church to be by first connecting Adi     Stanciu and his wife, Floare with pastors that had encountered difficult circumstances at Grace Baptist Church of Brasov.  Established in September 2008, the church met in a hotel conference room, and its pastor was traveling 90 miles multiple times a week to care for this worshiping body. 

    Then Adi began to faithfully provide pulpit supply.

    For years, Adi had known Cristian Barbosu of Metanoia Arad. He was further influenced by a visit from Harvest Bible Chapel's James MacDonald in 2007, during a teaching visit in Romania. 



    As Adi was led by the Lord to advance the gospel through this group of believers in Brasov, their leadership confirmed that a partnership with Metanoia and Harvest Bible Fellowship could yield an even greater harvest of souls.

    On November 8, 2009, Grace Baptist Church decided to partner with Metanoia Arad in embracing Harvest Bible Fellowship's core values and distinctives...all of which dovetailed into a decision on February 7, 2010 to fully adopt the approach and the name of Metanoia-Harvest Bible Chapel.



    Join us in welcoming Adi Stanciu, Senior Pastor of Metanoia Brasov, his family (wife, Floare; daughter, Dora; son-in-law Vlad; grandson, Thomas) and the church in Brasov to the Harvest Bible Fellowship family!

    To read more of Adi's story, click here.
    TueTuesdayFebFebruary23rd2010 Welcome Harvest Metanoia Ploiesti, Romania
    Posted Tuesday, February 23 2010 @ 10 AM



    In 2009, a gathering of believers in Ploiesti, Romania (a city just 56km [35 mi] north of Bucharest, population of 239,500) began asking the questions that we at Harvest asked some 21 years ago...




    • What if there was a church that believed God actually wrote a book called the Bible?
    • What if there was a church were people had as their first and most fervent focus, the adoration of God's Son?
    • What if there was a church that believed God was actually listening when we prayed?
    • What if there was a church that believed the field is truly "ripe to harvest"?
    Sound familiar?  

    Our Sovereign Lord brought these believers into contact with Harvest Metanoia in Arad, Romania. So began the steps toward planting a life-giving work in Ploiesti committed to the same four pillars, to contemporary worship without compromise, to a focus on quality disciple-making and to elder governance...and a worshiping body of Christ was formed!


    The Lord then led this body, along with leaders from both Metanoia and Harvest Bible Fellowship, on a journey to consider the shepherding of His church.      While in Arad celebrating Metanoia's five-year anniversary last November, Harvest Bible Fellowship was introduced to a like-minded Romanian, Cristi Pana, and a leadership team in Ploiesti. Recently returning to Romania after finishing his Masters of Divinity at The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California, Cristi had also pastored local churches in Bucharest, Pasadena and La Mirada. Though he and his wife Rodica had established their family of five in the States, Cristi was compelled to bring his ministry home.

    Sr. Pastor Cristian Barbosu of Metanoia Arad writes, "When I heard that Cristi Pana came back home from the U.S.A., I called him right away and purchased a train ticket for him to come to my house the next day from Bucharest - nine hours away.  I knew Cristi's passion for expository preaching, his strong desire to start a new church built on the Word of God and his fervent heart for the lost.  I said to myself, he must see Metanoia and Harvest, because he breathes and lives what we are all about!"

    Their strong sense of like-mindedness led to a review of this pastor's qualifications, gifts, and calling. On January 10, 2010, Cristi Pana was appointed as Senior Pastor of Biserica Crestina Baptista Metanoia Ploiesti.

    Today, we formally introduce Metanoia Ploiesti into the Harvest Bible Fellowship family of churches in partnership with Metanoia Arad, Romania.  Join us in celebrating what Christ has done!

    From Sr. Pastor Cristi Pana's heart:  "God has called me to preach His Word in an expository manner, to lead His local church to reach its highest potential to serve this dying world, and to work with a team of brothers in order to implement the vision of the church.  My intention is that Metanoia Ploiesti be a church with high impact in the secular society in order to be instruments through which men and women will come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus.  This is my call, this is my duty!" 

    Pastor Cristi's fervor continues... "Metanoia Ploiesti is a church with a strong desire to be of another kind. It is the time when we are called to live our transformed life among people in Ploiesti and we assumed this challenge. We are not perfect but our heart beats in the same rhythm and in the same direction with our partners Harvest-Metanoia. We are a small church with a big vision and a huge God! This is why we located ourselves in the center of Ploiesti, renting the biggest hall in the city, Patria Theater! It is a matter of faithfulness and vision to fill up this hall! This is our hope, this is our purpose!"

    And making an eternal impact in our local sphere is the hope and purpose all Harvest Bible Chapels hold in common. Pray with us for the Lord's favor, protection, and power to be manifest in His church - in Ploiesti, across Romania, and around the world!
    ThuThursdayJanJanuary28th2010 2009 International Review: Let the Earth Hear His Voice
    Posted Thursday, January 28 2010 @ 11 AM

    "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).

    The question we've been asking ourselves:  How do we effectively integrate the resources of Harvest churches and their missions energy with Harvest Bible Fellowship and its passion for church planting?

    God has shown with great clarity and urgency that as we leverage the strengths of one another, He causes the church to flourish in spiritually desolate areas of the world.  Today, by God's grace, Harvest Bible Fellowship is creating and sustaining a climate for international church planting by customizing strategies and partnering churches within the Fellowship to plant vibrant, healthy, reproducing churches, as well as networking with partners to expand our reach.

    It is with great joy that we share this 2009 International Review and demonstrate how God is making His voice heard through Harvest Bible Fellowship in all the earth.

    2009 International Data
    • 3 New Church Plants:  Buchanan, Glasgow and Dorzohn
    • 7 International Harvest Bible Chapels
    • 1401 Worshipers attending Harvest churches overseas each week.
    • 82% of Adults are discipled in the context of Small Groups.
    • 122 Baptisms
    • 13 Short-term teams from 8 Harvest North American plants served our international plants.
    • 9 Harvest churches have signed up to sponsor an international Harvest Bible Chapel.
    • $210,000 was stewarded from Harvest Bible Fellowship to equip, resource / train, and encourage Harvest churches overseas.
    International "Firsts"
    • Missions Conference celebrated ten years of church planting through Harvest Bible Fellowship at founding Harvest Bible Chapel campuses.
    • Harvest Paynesville, Liberia established a Harvest Christian Academy primary school in Liberia with over 100 students enrolled.
    • Two international church planters complete official residency at Harvest Bible Fellowship.
    • Harvest Glasgow launched in the UK, a new frontier for Harvest Bible Fellowship.
    • Harvest Metanoia Braila, Romania installed Elders.
    • Harvest Metanoia Arad, Romania (our first international plant) celebrated her 5-year anniversary.
    Praying Forward
    • 7 additional international church plants are projected for 2010, potentially doubling the number of Harvest churches overseas.
    • 17 international Harvest pastors and leaders are planning to attend Harvest University in April.
    • For abundant fruitfulness in saved, changed and transformed lives worshiping Jesus!
    In all our praise we aim to magnify the WAY, Christ Jesus...and of course, much more could be mentioned that gives glory to God.

    Our Mission: to passionately pursue the fulfillment of Jesus Christ's promise to build His Church through planting, transitioning and equipping vibrant, high-impact local Harvest Bible Chapels that reproduce themselves around the world. 

    We give thanks to God for you in our prayers as we make Jesus known and gather people from all the earth to hear His Word!

    Join us in 2010 to PRAY-GIVE-GO!  Email your interest to to connect and directly impact and influence this movement!

    As our Sovereign Lord said, "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest" (John 4:35).
    ThuThursdayDecDecember17th2009 Christmas in Bistret, Romania
    Posted Thursday, December 17 2009 @ 4 PM
    Cross-bordered by Serbia and Bulgaria, Bistret is one of five counties in the Oltenia Region of Romania.  This is the field that the Lord has called Ghita Pana and his family to sow and reap.



    On the field, one often encounters stiff opposition from local authorities; abusive language and physical persecution at the hands of local religious groups; overcoming generations of superstition, fear and suspicion; and phone tapping and surveillance by the police.

    These oppositions would be expected in a non-Christian nation, but they are everyday occurrences in the Eastern European nation of Romania.


    Our first Romanian church plant, Harvest Metanoia in Arad, has sent the Pana family to bring the light of Christ Jesus to Bistret. Harvest Indy West joined this work in 2008 by sending the first Harvest team to support the Pana's and the task of planting a life-giving work in Bistret.

    God is bearing much fruit through the sacrifices and willingness of His people to go into difficult areas with the Gospel.


    We ask you to pray on December 19 and 20 for the Christmas event that will be held in Bistret at the Culture House. Harvest Metanoia will partner in this presentation of the gospel.

    >> Pray for protection, spiritual boldness, and endurance for the Harvest Metanoia workers in this region.

    >> Pray that many would receive the knowledge of Christ Jesus and free gift of eternal life as the Word and testimony of Jesus is proclaimed.

    >> Pray that the light of the glory of Christ would cover the Oltenia region this season as the name of Jesus is high and lifted up!

    FriFridayNovNovember27th2009 What Rejoicing Looks Like: Harvest Dorzohn, Liberia!
    Posted Friday, November 27 2009 @ 8 AM
    With thanks and praise at the movement of God's Spirit all around the globe, we announce the launch of Harvest Dorzohn, Liberia!

    This is the third Servants of God Outreach Ministries (SOGOM) church in LIberia to partner with Harvest Bible Fellowship and transition to a Harvest Bible Chapel since 2008.

    A delegation from Harvest West Olive was received by Dorzohn with joy in early November and dedicated the church on November 8. The Lord has shown great favor, and the church is thriving! Led by Pastor Emmanuel Glay (brother to Buchanan's Pastor John Glay), sixty adults and thirty children already call this Harvest their home.

    Harvest Paynesville and Harvest Buchanan were first and second, respectively. Both are situated along Liberia's coast. Harvest Dorzohn, however, is in the interior: the bush region of Bassa County, a context presenting unusual challenges that differ vastly from our North American and European Harvest fields.



    Every Harvest Bible Chapel holds to a common doctrine, yet each bears its own uniqueness...which we delight in! While Dorzohn's church walls are comprised of sun-baked clay and woven palm fronds, its heart and ministry are unmistakably "Harvest," and unwaveringly the King's.

    Pastor Emmanuel and this church are steadfast in their commitments to exalt Christ and to uphold the Four Pillars. God is honoring those commitments by breathing life and stability into the ministry that pours forth from their earthen structure. And with them, we rejoice...

    Welcome to the Fellowship, Harvest Dorzohn!
    ThuThursdayOctOctober15th2009 Organize a Team to Serve in Brăila, Romania - Summer 2010
    Posted Thursday, October 15 2009 @ 9 AM

    Engage your church in Short-term Missions by serving Harvest in Brăila, Romania.

    Church plant Biserica Metanoia in Brăila, Romania joined the Harvest family in July 2008. The church has grown to over 150 people in this former communist country. In Eastern Romania, situated on the bank of the Danube, with over 210,000 people - Brăila is still deeply rooted in the Orthodox Church and former ways.

    But, God is birthing new life and the light of the glory of the gospel is spreading through this young church plant. Small groups are flourishing, elders are being installed, outreach is strong, and they have baptized over a dozen people with another group of youth scheduled to be baptized this month. Where the Word of God and testimony of Jesus is proclaimed, lives are being transformed.

    Another ministry which the church is supporting is an orphanage housing forty-one kids ages 5-21. The place is called “Home of Hope” and is striving to care for lost, abandoned and neglected children.

    We have the privilege to come alongside our brothers/sisters in Brăila by sending teams to help meet urgent needs.

    Short-term Missions Teams can be hosted June 20 – August 20, 2010.

    Four trip opportunities have been presented by Harvest Sr. Pastor Marius Mezin of Brăila.

    1. Children’s camp (VBS)- either at the end of June or beginning of July
    2. Youth camp- best time would be end of July or beginning of August
    3. Counseling training (particularly marriage counseling)
    4. Construction team (help do some work on the orphanage) 

    In addition, your team could be involved with: 

    • Gypsy ministry (outreach to the gypsies living in the surrounding rural communities)
    • Russian ministry in the Russian Orthodox immigrant communities
    • Leadership training/family ministry training (small group training, children’s ministry, parenting classes, etc.)
    • Evangelism (singing ministry, outreach to gypsies, giving clothes to the homeless, children’s ministry in the surrounding mountain areas)
    		 

     

    God is transforming lives and restoring hope in Brăila!

    Come and see with your own eyes by organizing a Short-term Missions team from your church.

    If you are interested in sending a team this summer or want to discuss ways to support the work in Brăila, please contact Sandy Song, Short-term Missions Coordinator at HBF:  or (847) 398-7005 x3223.

    God bless and hope to hear from you soon!   The trips need to be scheduled as soon as possible so you can begin forming your teams and training them to serve Christ Jesus in Brăila, Romania this summer.
    FriFridayJulJuly31st2009 We Must Go!
    Posted Friday, July 31 2009 @ 7 AM

    "Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.  They sent..."   Acts 15:22

    One of the effective and exciting aspects of our ministry is sending short-term teams where God is calling Harvest Bible Fellowship to plant churches.


    These teams are usually involved in a variety of ministries; from pulling teeth to washing feet; from constructing buildings to bandaging bodies; from preaching to painting, from changing lives to changing diapers. Whereas teams participate in worship and witnessing they are also engaged in hard work.


    Harvest churches are on the MOVE...

    May
    Harvest Rolling Meadows to St. Vincent Island

    June
    Harvest Rockford goes to the Racetrack
    Harvest Rolling Meadows to Arad, Romania
    Harvest Indy West to Bistret, Romania

    July
    Harvest Elgin to Braila, Romania
    Harvest Indy West to Ghioroc, Romania
    Harvest Rolling Meadows to Arad, Romania

    August
    Harvest NW Houston to Glasgow, Scotland

    October
    Harvest Davenport to St. Vincent Island

    November
    Harvest West Olive to Paynesville & Buchanan, Liberia
    Harvest Bible Fellowship to Arad, Romania

    We are seeing great synergy as the church serves the church—both internationally and at home.  The benefits have been great, both for those who have sacrificed much to go and for the church plants receiving the teams.

    In the video below, Worship Leader, Josh Seller of Harvest Oakville, leads us in worship at the Elgin Campus as we recall the great and mighty things God is doing through His church.



    "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise..." Deuteronomy 10:18-21

    If you would like to consider a short-term missions trip to a Harvest International Church Plant, email .

    Subscribe to the International Church Planting Update.

     Follow the HBF Church Plant Movement on |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |.
    FriFridayJunJune19th2009 Catch the Spirit of Missions
    Posted Friday, June 19 2009 @ 2 PM

    An international celebration of lives saved by Christ and declaring Him as Lord, from Harvests Arad and Braila in Romania, and Harvest Paynesville in Liberia.  (click image to view video)


    The mission of the Church is Missions.  The mission of Missions is the Church! 

    At Harvest, the three stages of International Church Planting are being realized as we seek to plant reproducing churches alive with the gospel of Christ Jesus, where God is visibly at work.

    CATCH THE SPIRIT OF MISSIONS:

                            PROCLAMATION - INTEGRATION - EXPANSION

    "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded to you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:19

    ThuThursdayMayMay21st2009 Introducing Buchanan
    Posted Thursday, May 21 2009 @ 8 AM
    In 2008, Harvest Bible Fellowship formalized a church-planting partnership with Servants of God Outreach Ministries of Liberia (SOGOM). At that time, six of their local churches elected to join with the Fellowship and transition over a period of time, the first among them being the now-thriving church in Paynesville.

    And the time has come to announce the launch of the second: Harvest Bible Chapel Buchanan, under the direction of Pastor John Glay.


    The people of Buchanan, Liberia's third largest city, speak the Bassa language and share their town with 34,000 other Bassa people. 

    Situated on the Atlantic, it is an important fishing town with isolated beaches and lagoons.  During 14 years of Liberian civil war, this was a region highly desired by refugees who sought to escape the rebel fighting. Many from Liberia's capital fled to Buchanan—even taking to the surrounding forests for cover—during those years of devastation.

    The SOGOM church, for nearly ten years, struggled under civil unrest and war.  The testimonies of trials endured by these believers would make most westerners tremble.  Yet our faithful God kept this group in His care and gathered them again to proclaim the riches of Christ Jesus, post-war.

    According to Pastor John, "Buchanan is a city where people are willing to listen and receive God's Word.  It is a place of many challenges, but even more opportunities for me to preach the gospel without fear."


    Where once fear, fleeing, and hiding marked the life of the church, today God has restored peace in Liberia and His church is flourishing.  They bear testimony to the reality that trials can indeed be counted as joy, as God's steadfast promise to never leave nor forsake us is fulfilled.

    Through the faithful giving of Harvest churches, a contribution was gathered to purchase land and build a worship facility for the worshippers in Buchanan.  These disciples leaned quickly into the labor...








    ...And joy is at hand as, just two months later, they are worshiping in their new home!


    Thank you to West Olive, MI and Elgin Harvest Bible Chapels for stewarding what God has entrusted to you, to bless our brothers and sisters at Harvest Buchanan and to further His fame.
    WedWednesdayAprApril8th2009 St. Vincent: A Harvest Preview
    Posted Wednesday, April 08 2009 @ 2 PM
    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles chain of the Caribbean...and the future home of a Harvest Bible Chapel.

    Graduates of Moody Bible Institute and Michigan Theological Seminary, Al and Debbie Blake, will be planting together with Harvest Bible Fellowship in St. Vincent.  Currently, Al serves as Assistant Pastor at Harvest Canton in Michigan.

    Native to the island, Al and Debbie are no strangers to Carib culture.  After serving in multiple ministry outposts (with Ambassadors for Christ in St. Vincent and England, as Youth Chairman for the St. Vincent Baptist Convention and Assistant Pastor at Campden Park Baptist Church in St. Vincent), God led Al and Debbie to embark on a training mission in the U.S. 

    Woven throughout their experiences is story after story of God's faithfulness and provision in orchestrating His plan, and in moving what seemed to be impossible barriers to this new work. Today, Al and Debbie prepare to re-enter their homeland to plant a vibrant, life-giving work on the island.

    Al, gifted both in communicating God's Word and leading in worship, is developing a core team to impact St. Vincent for Christ and plant a church fully committed to the pillars of Harvest. Check out a recent trip, in which the core team was encouraged and locations surveyed for the new church plant...

    click to view video


    Al says, "We are excited to return to the island to proclaim the message of hope...humbly using the tools with which God has equipped us by helping to train and encourage other pastors and laypersons who labor selflessly to spread the aroma of Christ around the island."

    Completing their church-plant training at Harvest Bible Fellowship this summer, Al and Debbie have been blessed and built into by on-site training at Harvest Davenport in Iowa, and Harvest Canton.  Lord willing, the Blake family is scheduled to return to St. Vincent on November 3.

    Our desire is to see Jesus exalted and lives transformed by the power of the gospel in St. Vincent.  Please join us in prayer to see this island nation proclaim the salvation found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!

    Pray specifically: for the developing launch team, a worship leader, a location for this new church plant...where, Lord willing, worshippers will soon gather in Spirit and in Truth.

    "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself" (John 12:32).
    WedWednesdayMarMarch11th2009 Let Glasgow Flourish
    Posted Wednesday, March 11 2009 @ 9 AM
    Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom—and the newest frontier for Harvest!

    Yet it's a frontier with history.  An inscription on a local bell, made in 1637 for the Tron Kirk (or church, of which the Tron Steeple still exists) reads:  "Lord, let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of Thy Word and praising Thy Name."  It became the city's motto in 1663.

    Today, the city's motto is simply "Let Glasgow Flourish." 

    Obviously, this land once known for preaching God's Word and praising the Name that is above all names, has misplaced its original purpose and calling.  Today, Glasgow is a complacent society that has rejected a heritage founded on the truth of God's Word...and one that's become very resistant to the Gospel.

    But our hope is in God and the things unseen! A God who says,

    "And now, brother, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.  Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago"  (Acts 3:17-21).

    With this hope, we'd ask you to join us in welcoming the newest family to Harvest Bible Fellowship.  God has led Harvest to a group of Glaswegians (people from Glasgow) to plant a church.

    Scott Hamilton and his wife, Alison, of Glasgow have just returned to Scotland after spending six lively weeks completing their residency in Elgin with Fellowship staff—and their two young children.  Blessed by their unwavering joy in our time together, we sent them home steeped in Harvest culture and reinforced in their commitment, where they'll now begin developing a launch team for Harvest Glasgow.

    We anticipate the Lord to use them greatly as He reinvigorates His church in Glasgow. Please pray together with us...
    1. For protection, wisdom, and favor for the Hamiltons as they communicate the vision of the new church.
    2. That God would raise up a qualified and committed team of worshipers who will serve as the launch team for Harvest Glasgow.
    3. For a worship leader for this new work.
    4. That God would provide a place of worship for the newly forming team as they commit themselves to God and one another for the purpose of lifting high the name of Jesus!
    TueTuesdayJanJanuary20th2009 Living Water for All!
    Posted Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 9 AM
    Living water has taken on a whole new meaning for the community at Harvest Bible Chapel Paynesville, in Liberia.

    In 2008, together with Harvest West Olive (Michigan), Harvest Bible Fellowship began a journey of filling the vital need for clean, safe drinking water for the community in which this international Harvest was planted. In that, God led us to form a well-drilling partnership with a ministry in Africa.


    We’re thrilled to report that the project is complete! Given that the entire area of Paynesville is built over undrillable rock — allowing just a single hand-pump for the whole town — it is a work of God's hand, and a testimony to this body's faith, that drilling on the church property was a resounding success. While Pastor Moses spent the month of December in training at Harvest Elgin, his church chose to wait for Moses’ return to Paynesville to open the well with a community-wide service dedicating it to the Lord.
    In Liberia, access to water equals life. For the church in Paynesville, this well offers something, perhaps, even greater—access to multitudes in need of life in Jesus Christ, who alone quenches our deeper thirst for all that is eternal.
    “I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 21:6b


    Months of dry season are now at hand, with Liberians taking to the road at dawn, moving from community to community in the daily, and even costly, search for a live well. Harvest Paynesville’s desire and passion is to see many find life “without cost” and meet the Giver of eternal life through this well project and ministry.

    All who are thirsty, all who are weak
    Come to the fountain
    Dip your heart in the stream of life
    Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away
    In the waves of His mercy, as deep cries out to deep
    Come Lord Jesus, come... (Brenton Brown)

    Nearly 400 people daily will draw from this well — and we have faith to believe that, with God’s grace, lives will be changed by it for eternity!


    Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water...whoever drinks of this water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  John 4:10, 14

    Amen!
    FriFridayDecDecember12th2008 Romanian Worship Leaders Make a Visit
    Posted Friday, December 12 2008 @ 12 PM
    Declaring and living lives that display God as our ultimate treasure is no small thing.  It is the goal of creation, the command of all human activity, the highest call of music, the invincible purpose of Christ's return, and will be the ultimate declaration of all humanity.

    As Harvest Bible Fellowship (HBF) continues to educate pastors from around the world, we remain passionate about equipping leaders as they build the church into a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:19-22, Matthew 16:18)

    We had the joy of hosting three worship leaders from the Metanoia church plant in Arad, Romania.  Mihai, Silviu, and Darius spent two weeks with us at HBF.  These men are key leaders in the Worship Ministry of Arad and are living out their passion to engage the church for God and live for Jesus Christ in heart, mind, and action.

    View this short video (click photo) and hear first-hand from these young men 
    how God is using all of us to sharpen one another.


    Consider the significance of our worship...

    Worship encompasses all the acts of our hearts, minds, and bodies that express the infinite worth of God.  This is made more specific in Harvest worship services, as we set before the body of Christ several priorities:

    • Bible Saturation  God’s Word is the ground of all our appeal to authority. We strive to always conform the content of our singing and praying and welcoming and preaching to the truth of Scripture. (Isaiah 40:8)
    • Head and Heart  Our services seek after clear thinking about spiritual things, and kindling hearts with deep, strong, real emotions towards God with these truths. (Matthew 22:37)
    • Reality  Our intention is to foster a radical and personal encounter with the God of truth as we pursue Him together with reverence, passion, and wonder. (Psalm 96)
    • Transparency  We seek to allow the greatness of God to shine through in our worship. Our trust is in our message, not ourselves as messengers, as we bring our best and highest to our holy King. (Psalm 115:1)
    • Comtemporary and Traditional  Harvest celebrates different eras of musical expression because the glory of God transcends time and personal preference. (Matthew 13:52)
    "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).
    SatSaturdayNovNovember1st2008 HBF Team Returns from Braila, Romania
    Posted Saturday, November 01 2008 @ 10 AM
    In October, Harvest Bible Fellowship organized a team from several Harvest Bible Chapels to bring encouragement and edification to this plant. Working together with ministry leaders from Metanoia Braila to teach about leadership principals, elder government, small groups, and Children’s Ministry, they're happy to report that this international plant is beginning to thrive.


    Braila missions team members from the Fellowship
    and Harvests Naperville, Houston, and Poland.

    "The leadership team is growing in unity, direction and purpose as they are called to set vision before the people. The church is filled with committed and passionate followers of the Lord Jesus who are worshiping, walking and working for Christ with diligence and determination. It was such a blessing to participate in what God is doing in Braila and to worship with those whom the Lord has called to be part of this great movement. The church is influencing their community and regional churches as they model scriptural relevancy and boldness in the proclamation of God’s Word." (Kirk Van Maanen, HBF)


    An agenda filled with leadership and ministry meetings, along with conducting a 2-day conference to strengthen and equip other area churches, didn't prohibit the team from coming alongside Metanoia in their outreach efforts...


    Boys who've been welcomed into a family of the Home of Hope ministry.

    Metanoia Braila partners with the Home of Hope, a ministry that brings the hope of Christ to abused or neglected children by placing them in Christian families - up to ten children in each! - and is committed to reaching the unreached in their community, as well as encouraging families of gypsy believers to continue pressing on.

    Missions team members with Romanian gypsy believers.

    The fragrance of Christ is going out from Metanoia and the members of this church plant are committed to spreading His sweet aroma in the areas God is calling them to influence.


    Marius Mezin, Harvest Pastor in Braila, shared heartfelt thanks. “The people from our church had this feeling that you are part of our family. I thank my God for your kindness and humbleness that touched so many lives. You are a blessing and the echo of our time with you is still heard around our church.”


    Marius Mezin, Senior Pastor of Metanoia Braila, and his family.

    In return, Kirk Van Maanen reflected that; "it was such an encouragement to our team to see the Lord Jesus high and lifted up through this new work. The faith of the people at Metanoia has been tested and their walk with the Lord is fervent, growing and urgent as they proclaim the richness of gospel. It is a testimony to God’s grace and His promise to build His Church. The fulfillment of that promise is being realized in Braila.”


    Also, Alex Zhdan of Harvest Naperville says, “I rejoice in the progress of people there and praise God for His mercy, grace and favor toward people at Metanoia church. My heart is stirred for the opportunity that Harvest Naperville has to partner with people in Braila.”

     
    TueTuesdayAugAugust26th2008 Short-term Opportunities - ROMANIA
    Posted Tuesday, August 26 2008 @ 11 AM
    Is your church motivated to serve? If so, please consider one of the following short-term missions teams for 2009. Harvest Church Plant teams are needed to serve our brothers and sisters in Romania.



    Oltenia, Romania: Sr. Pastor Ghitza Pana
    Ghitza was raised-up from Metanoia Arad and a group has purchased a home that is being used as a church. Teams from Arad have been serving weekly to support this new work. A group of believers has formed and now they are looking for a Harvest team to assist in a work project and children's VBS. We can be creative with the work based on the gifts of the Harvest team that would organize itself.

    Ghioroc, Romania: Sr. Pastor Marcel Opris
    Marcel is from Metanoia Arad and has formed a group that is meeting in Ghioroc. They are in the process of developing their core group and the group forming is strong and developing quickly. A team from a Harvest church is needed for outreach, evangelism and community development. A team from North America could be leveraged a great deal to spur on the believers in Ghioroc.

    Pecica, Romania: Farm for Adults with Disabilities
    God has provided a farm for Metanoia Arad, a piece of quality land. This farm is being developed as a social/justice ministry of the church. God has also provided a family who serve as resident directors to aid in the project. They will house diabled adult orphans. Currently, four individuals are living there to learn and grow in Christ. The goal is to train them in life-skills such as cooking, cleaning, landscaping, farming, raising animals, ESL, reading, writing, math, etc.. The church is really excited about this amazing gift and opportunity to care for the less fortunate. A Harvest team is needed to support this project and show Christ's love to the residents. This work team would train the residents in life-skills, convert the barn into apartments, and help out around the farm.

    Braila, Romania: Orphan Ministry - Sr. Pastor Marius Mezin
    Home of Hope is an orphanage supported by Harvest Metanoia of Braila. It presently houses 47 children, ages 3-18. The children have been given to the orphanage by their parents due to poverty or have been placed by the state. An opportunity exists for Harvest teams to take a short-term missions trip to Home of Hope to host a week of children's ministry, encourage house parents, and partner with Harvest Metanoia to reach out into the community of Braila through evangelism and community development projects.

    What are the next steps?

    1. Contact Kirk VanMaanen at Harvest Bible Fellowship to discuss details.
    2. Schedule a date for your trip with HBF and the Metanoia Church Plant.
    3. Form a team from your local Harvest Church Plant who will commit to pray, give, and go.
    4. Train your team locally to serve effectively in Romania.
    5. Be in contact with the Church Plant in Romania to organize meaningful projects.
    6. Go and SERVE!

    Teams have been heading to our Church Plant(s) in Romania for three years and we have seen God do amazing things in the lives of those who have committed their ways to the Lord. These teams have served well and encouraged the body of Christ in Romania in ways that we could not have hoped or dreamed possible. Would you consider being the hands and feet of Christ to Romania in 2009?

    Contact Kirk at or call HBF for more detail.

    Serving Christ and His Church together,
    Kirk at HBF
    WedWednesdayJulJuly9th2008 Pleased to Announce Harvest Brăila, Romania
    Posted Wednesday, July 09 2008 @ 8 AM


    Brăila is a city in eastern Romania, a port on the Danube, the 10th largest city in the country and the second city of Harvest in Romania.

    Marius Mezin, Sr. Pastor was referred to HBF by Cristian Barbosu of Harvest Church Plant, Metanoia of Arad, Romania. Marius is thirty-seven years old, a graduate of the Baptist Seminary in Bucharest and has served for fourteen years as a Youth Pastor and Worship Leader.



    Pastor Marius says, "I am amazed at what the Lord is doing in our lives!  It is like a dream.  We had an unbelivable time at our retreat with the leaders, with a lot of time to build relationships, play hard, and work-out the ministry of our church.  Everyone understood the vision and process of becoming a Harvest and they were excited about the opportunities through a relationship with HBF.

    On Sunday, we had full services with all the seats used.  In the evening, we even had people standing.  I felt for the first time since we started the church that we have a group of people who understand why we do what we do and why we do things the way we do them.  They were praying and actively participating in the service.  At the end of the service we asked if there were people who would like to get baptized and we saw five people make this decision.

    I was preaching on the first pillar, Scripture, and spoke about the difference between absolute truth and personal opinion giving an exemple in our culture of the head-scarf and jewelry.  I thought some of them would get upset but they didn't...praise be to God who can give power to His Word to transform lives.

    Today a group of men started to build the pillars on the walls so they will be visible to all who walk into this place.

    In the evening service we had some young girls that came for the first time to an evangelical church and at the end of the service one of the girls came to me and she said that she wants to know the Lord and she wants to know what she has to do for this. I was so overwhelmed!

    Thank you for praying! God is moving here in a very powerful way and I am so humbled to see and to be a part of this great work."
    __________________________________

    That's what it's all about and this is what God has called us to at Harvest...to see lives transformed for eternity and the church of Jesus Christ have breath and life to infect all peoples with the truth of His Word and to proclaim the unsearchable riches of the gospel.

    Join us in celebrating Harvest in Brăila, Romania.

    All for Christ,
    HBF-Missions
    Kirk R. VanMaanen
    FriFridayJunJune6th2008 Equipping Leaders
    Posted Friday, June 06 2008 @ 5 PM
    The following newsletter is an update by Global Ministries of  Harvest Bible Fellowship  (HBF).

    First of all, thanks to dedication of Travis Hickox and iMinistries, our commitment to update you regularly on Church Plant activity can be realized.  The new Website and its functionality will provide better communication of what God is doing in advancing The Church.

    Here's some news to share with others...

    Equipping Romanian Leaders :  Marius Mezin and Eugen Popescu just finished their week of training at HBF.  Referred to us from Church Plant, Metanoia of Arad , these leaders are planting a new work in Brăila, Romania.  They returned home on June 5 to meet with their leadership team to make a decision about joining the work of HBF to become the second plant of Harvest in Romania.  Over 150 people are currently meeting and God has begun a great new work in this city which is in need of a church with bold preaching, vibrant worship and authentic relationships.  Pray for Harvest Brăila.

    Russian Leaders : Evgeny Bakhmutsky and Andrey Berezhnoy, arrived at HBF to be consulted in Church Planting. Harvest, Naperville has provided the leadership in developing this opportunity and we are seeing it progress into something much more tangible. Pray for Harvest Moscow. We are in the early stages of this new work and want to move forward in God's timing, with His wisdom.

    Stay tuned to hear how God is at work in HBF Church Planting Globally.  For information about Poland, Argentina, Turks & Caicos and more, visit www.harvestbiblefellowship.org.

    God bless,
    Kirk VanMaanen
    kvanmaanen@harvestbible.org
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