Profile

What is Harvest Baptist Church? Let’s look at this by dividing each word.

Harvest

Seven-Fold Acrostic

  • His Glory (I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”)
  • Atmosphere of Love (Ephesians 4:2-3 “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”)
  • Reinforced Biblical Preaching (II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”)
  • Vision for others (Matthew 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Matt. 20:26-28 “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”)
  • Evangelism (Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.”)
  • Spiritually gifted living (Romans 12:3, 6a “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, . . . “)
  • Team ministry (Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”)

Multiple Outreach and Involvement

HCA

HCA exists to glorify God by helping students develop a heart for God in presenting a quality education in a Christian environment.

HBBI

HBBI exists to glorify God by training students to develop a heart for God through a three-year Bible training institute program designed to prepare future ministers and trained laymen for local church work.

KHMG

KHMG exists to glorify God by helping people develop a heart for God by proclaiming God’s Word in music and messages.

Harvest Bookstore

The Bookstore exists to glorify God by providing tools to help people develop a heart for God.

Other Ministries:

  • HEART for Christ
  • AWANA
  • World Missions
  • Military Ministry
  • Prison Ministry
  • Tract Ministry
  • Church Planting
  • Village Outreach

Baptist Distinctives

There are eight historical tenants of Baptists*. These describe our practice from the Word of God.

  1. Born again, baptized church membership (Acts 2:42).
  2. Autonomy of the local church (Mathew 18:17; I Corinthians 5:4-5,13). This describes our position on the Word of God. Independent, in other words, there are no associations with a national organization.
  3. Priesthood of the believer (I Timothy 2:5; I Peter 2:9).
  4. Two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (I Corinthians 11:23-30; Matt. 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-5). These are not sacraments.
  5. Inspiration and sole authority of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16), believing in the fundamentals of the faith. Fundamentalists means born again Christians who are committed to literal interpretation of Scriptures and defense against any who deny its authority (Jude 3; Romans 16-17).
  6. Soul liberty—the right to interpret Scriptures individually (Acts 17:11).
  7. Two offices: Pastor and Deacon (1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Pastor is synonymous with elder, bishop, and undershepherd.
  8. Separation of Church and State (Romans 15:1-7; Romans 13:1-7). In other words there is no organic union. The government is not to run the church and the church is not to run the government.*These are not a badge to wear, but a button to hold our testimony together.

Church

Ekklesia (Greek) means “called out group” (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 16:19; Galatians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1). The difference between attendees and members can be summed up in one word: commitment! At Harvest we recognize the need for formal church membership. We ask you to commit to membership for four reasons:

  1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the Church. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25) The Lord has made a total commitment. Why shouldn’t He expect it of us? There was a story of a farmer who wanted eggs and bacon for breakfast. The barn animals heard it. The chicken was glad; the pig was terrified. Why? The chicken was only making a contribution, the pig was making a total commitment. Harvest is not looking for anyone to die—but we desire commitment.
  2. A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our Society. Church membership used to be an act of conformity, now it is a decision of commitment. We now live in an age where few want to be committed to anything . . . a job . . . a marriage . . . our even our country. This attitude has produced a generation of church shoppers and hoppers. Church membership swims against the current of America’s consumer religion. It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.
  3. A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on. Every team must have a roster. Every family has family members. Every army has an enlistment. Membership identifies our family. It provides a fellowship that can support and encourage you in your walk with God. It places you under the spiritual protection of godly members and leaders (Hebrews 10:24, 25; 13:17).
  4. A Personal Reason: It provides accountability and produces Spiritual Growth. The New Testament places major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you are not committed to any specific church family. In order to lead in a ministry of Harvest Baptist Church one must be a member of Harvest Baptist Church. This way we insure accountability and unity within our church family. A Christian without a church is like a child without a family. We encourage believers in Christ to join a Christian family: a Church! “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (I Timothy 3:15)