Havest Church Vision
A Vision for the Future of Harvest Church Gulfport
Joh 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mat 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Brief History
Harvest Church has a simple beginning. A group of friends met Friday, December 13, 2019 to encourage one another in the Lord. It was such a blessing that we met again on the 29th. It became apparent soon thereafter that there was a desire to plant a new church on the coast as hearts were drawn together with a desire to stay together in community.
As people began to connect simply by personal invitation it was amazing to see the response and interest from the community. The need for a new church was certain. A building was provided free of charge for the church to meet in at the Gulf Coast Baptist Association.
Immediately, People were being saved.
Ministry started happening in many different ways as families were being helped, mission teams were being sent, and weekly worship gatherings were taking place.
Covid hit in March 2020 but people stayed together through zoom.
Nine new believers were baptized in May 2020.
Farmington Baptist Church became the sponsor church and sent Janis and Br Bryan back to the coast to officially start Harvest Church.
Parkway Baptist Church became our SBC sponsor church. People continued gathering and participating in preparation for the launch of Harvest Church in Gulfport.
Gifted people went to work on, logo, website, band, worship, teachers, servants, and cooks.
Lifeword and gifted individuals began working on a professional online presence.
Plans are being made. Foundations are being laid. We are preparing for launch.
February 20, 2020 you guys met Todd West and voted to have him help with the church plant as a missionary coach. A team was chosen and approved to work through the training process of setting foundational building blocks in place. That team has met virtually through zoom every Tuesday night since February 20th 2020. They have worked through training with Todd on three different occasions, February 2021, May 1st and 2nd, June 12-13.
Current History
Harvest Church officially launched Sunday September 6th 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic. The first official Sunday service was held in the Gulf Coast Baptist Association building. There were two worship services, one at 9 and one at 11. 314 people attended on that day. September was amazing as Harvest was able to witness the fruits of months of praying, planning, and anticipating what this new journey could be.
- October crushed all the momentum as a major part of the congregation was impacted by Covid. The church did not meet in October except for the last Sunday of the month outdoors at Jones park in Gulfport. The church began meeting on a small scale in November and December of 2020. The building process was slow but steady in the midst of lots of uncertainty.
- 2021 was a year of possibility. It’s time to find a home , a launching pad for ministry and a place to establish a footprint in the city. God divinely opened the door for Harvest to purchase buildings owned by Community Baptist Church at 15523 Landon road in Gulfport.
Buildings were renovated and the first worship service was held on June 14th 2021.
Ministry has operated at full capacity with two worship services on Sunday, Celebrate Recovery on Monday, Girl Scout troop, Wednesday family night, GROW outreach, tent revival, Easter Celebration, Thursday Bible study. Less than a year in, there is a need to acquire a larger space for continued growth.
Staff has grown from one to three as Harvest hired Jeremy Wilkerson and Regina Brealand to serve specific roles.
- 2022 is a year of faithfulness, and establishment in the city of Gulfport. Harvest Church has been planted and the initial excitement begins to fade, but the continuing work of the ministry is growing as the church begins to understand function and identity. Firm foundations are being laid, and strong relationships are forming as the church grows together.
Several highlights of 2022 include a tent revival where over 30 people were saved, small groups began to solidify, 18 people were baptized, 17 more people officially joined Harvest Church , the first Harvest Market Day took place December 13th, and over $40,000 was given to missions throughout the year.
- 2023 is the year of discipleship. Harvest Church began this year by committing to read through the New Testament together in 2023. This reading of the New Testament is accompanied by preaching on Sunday from specific passages of the weekly reading. Wednesday Family Night studies specific content from the weekly reading. Small groups discuss the chapters of the week together. We are learning together, growing together, and there is great synergy among the church family.
Growth continues to take place at a rapid pace. New faces appear in worship each week. God is greatly blessing the ministry of Harvest Church. Plans are being made to build facilities that will accommodate continued growth.
Our City
Gulfport is the second largest city in the state of Mississippi. There is a daily serviceable population of approximately 125,000 people. The people of the city are diverse economically, socially, and even spiritually. Less than half of the population has a connection to a local church. The population continues to rise while the spiritual climate continues to deteriorate. It is the desire of Harvest Church to change this trend and push back the darkness along the Coast by impacting the current generation while investing spiritually in the next generation.
The Dream
Harvest will impact the community by creating a ministry launching pad that will add value by meeting specific needs. Celebrate Recovery, Food distribution, Discipleship , Counseling and providing a healthy worship environment are elements of ministry that will directly impact the community.
Harvest will impact the Kingdom through evangelistic involvement in Coastal events such as Mardi Gras, and Cruising the Coast. Harvest will also create events such as block parties, family movie experiences, and concerts in an effort to Connect the Coast to Christ.
Harvest will impact the nation by providing a conference experience for students from around the country. We will reach the next generation with the gospel.
What’s our mission?
MISSION STATEMENT
“Connecting the coast to Christ one family at a time.”
Connecting is the term that has resonated among this group from the beginning. A desire to keep believers connected to one another along with a desire to connect nonbelievers to Jesus.
Coast is our ministry location. The footprint of Harvest Church will be most visible along the gulf coast.
Christ is at the center, core, of this statement. Without Him we can do nothing.
Family ministry is priority ministry. Through biblical understanding as well as ministry experience it is understood that the church thrives as families are impacted by the gospel. Many times we have seen parents come to faith in Christ because of ministry to students.
CORE VALUES
These values come from the great commandment and the great commission. They are nonnegotiable elements of ministry. These values live at the core of what Jesus said, and how we live as a people.
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Loving God and Loving Others
Serving God by Serving Others
Obeying God by Reaching Others
Glorifying God by Guiding Others
The beginning of each of these values finds its focus upon God. We are first and foremost children of God, living in loving relationship to God, responsible to God, and we exist to bring God glory.
The end of each statement focuses on others. We are to be an others focused people. The church does not exist solely to meet my needs. Rather, the church is the vehicle God has chosen to reach the world with the gospel. The gospel as well as the church has an outward focus. It’s about others.
In the midst of the statements there is the implication that the church is loving, serving, reaching, and guiding. The church is doing the work, making much of our great God and making a difference in the lives of others.
Harvest Loves
Harvest Serves
Harvest Reaches
Harvest Guides
STRATEGY
How are we going to make disciples?
Connect = through worship, and monthly Sunday evening fellowship.
Grow = in small groups. (Spirituality and relationally)
Go = every member a missionary. Serve on a team on campus. Serve on a team off campus.
MILESTONES
How do we measure success?
We ask three questions.
- Are people connecting in worship?
- Are people growing in small groups?
- Are people going on mission by serving?
Simple, measurable
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!!!
- Guest Services- welcoming and greeting distribution of bulletins, offering and attendance (Jonathan Eaton 228-697-7990)
2. Hospitality Team- meal teams, funeral dinners, kitchen help, etc. (Emily Fitzpatrick 228-343-0743)
3. Event Team- planning and execution of large events such as Easter, revivals, friends and family day, etc. (Mali Eaton 228-697-7997)
4. Worship Team- first serve, ability to learn singing parts, practices on Thursday and two services Sunday (Jeremy Wilkerson 228-669-0250)
5. Children’s Team- serving a rotation in nursery pre k3, children’s church, etc..(Denise King 228-860-6318)
6. Youth Team- 7-12 grade, possibly assisting in teaching or helping assist. See Kevin Fitzpatrick on full details (228-343-0745)
7. Grow Outreach team- connecting with others through letters, phone calls, etc. (Ms. Lou 228-324-8329)
8. Media Team- helping serve in website, Facebook post, running words during service, etc. (Sug 228-861-3294)
9. Men’s Ministry Team- meeting once a month for devotion and being available for helping in task for widows or needs that are in the church (Ryan Bland 228-669-6710)
10. Administration Team- create newsletters, maintain church calendars, etc. (Heather Brierton 228-669-7446)
11. Discipleship Team- plugging in weekly in a discipleship group of your choice or possibly leading one if led (Teri Eaton 228-547-4391)
12. Facility, Building and Grounds Team- Maintain and make necessary steps for future improvements at Harvest (Debbie Moran 228-861-5474) or (Jim McGowen 609-472-4308)
Membership Expectations
- You must be saved
- You must be baptized by Immersion
- Connect regularly in worship
- Grow in small group
- Go on mission both in the church and outside the church.
- Give financially to support the ministry.
- Live a Christ honoring life of obedience to His word.
Doctrine
Harvest Church adheres to The Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
Prayer = unity, clarity, property
Current prayer…. God give us a heart for the city.
