John Dirkse

Senior Pastor, Harvest Rockford John Dirkse became the senior pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel of Rockford in March of 2005. He grew up in Leavenworth, Washington, and studied music at Northwest Nazarene College for two years (1983-85) before sensing a call to pastoral ministry. He transferred to The Master’s College in Newhall, California, to prepare for ministry. This decision was motivated by a desire to be under the influence of Bible teacher John MacArthur, Jr. through the college and Grace Community Church. After graduation, he entered The Master’s Seminary for further studies in theology. He served at Grace Community Church as an intern in the High School ministry (1988-92). Expecting to immerse himself in a teaching ministry after graduation from Seminary, it became clear after several years that God wanted him to lead praise and worship. Before coming to Harvest, John was worship pastor at Faith Bible Church in Spokane, Washington, for nine years.

John met his wife, Betsey, while attending college and they were married seven years later at the time of John’s seminary graduation. They have five children: Luke, Alyssa, Lauren, Emma and Olivia.