| News from the Network |
Update on Haiti
Outreach to Harvest Network Haitian Members
Harvest Network recently received an offering for Pastor Victory Vilsaint and Pastor Lesly Bertrand, our Network pastors in Haiti, who suffered from the earthquake that struck that nation in January of this year.
Updates:
- Pastor Victory had his building in the city of Port-au-Prince suffer extensive damage and had to move church meetings out of the building to a gas station parking lot and adjoining alley. The government came to the building and condemned it. They ordered Pastor Victory to demolish his building and remove all debris. They gave him one week in which to do this.
Harvest Network was able to send some of the funds that were so generously gathered from our local congregations and individual members of the Network and meet the emergency need of Pastor Victory. He was able to demolish his building and clear his site.
- Pastor Lesly had much damage to his compound just outside of Port-au-Prince. He found himself in a difficult position as he had a large influx of orphans but no way to care for them.
Debbie Swanger's Orphan Outreach ministry contributed $1450 to the Network for Pastor Lesly to use to care for his orphans.
Future Plans:
- Scout Team: Harvest Network Elder Bob Swanger is coordinating a scout team led by members of his church, The River, to get information for a Harvest Network mission team in late July/early August. The purpose of summer team would be to assist in rebuilding. The scout team will be traveling to Haiti May 21-23, 2010.
- Rebuilding Team: Harvest Network has had many people express interest in helping on the summer rebuilding trip. If you are interested but have not yet notified Harvest Network, please contact Bob Swanger at rswanger@harvestnetworkintl.org. We will have better details about the rebuilding trip following the scout trip. Watch for more information to come at the end of May, so you can plan your summer adventure to Haiti with us!
- Raising More Funds: We are still receiving for the Haiti fund. The balance of funds collected will go to reconstruction for the ministries of Pastor Lesly and Pastor Victory. Any groups (youth groups, small groups, women's, men's...) that would like to raise funds for Haiti would be greatly appreciated!
Let's continue to hold our brothers and sister in Haiti up in prayer.
The Upside of Hard Times 
By Jim Anderson
This is a sensitive topic. It is always wrong to be glib and tell people to "just cheer up "and look for the "upside" of their troubles during hard times. And let's be clear, these really are hard times! The current combination of world-wide terrorism, disturbing social decline and the historic economic downturn feels to many like a perfect storm of troubles. Unless you are old enough to remember the Great Depression or the World War II, this is the most difficult period of life ever experienced by most Americans. But the Lord does speak to us about several important positives that come only when we live through hard times.
Upside # 1: Hard Times Make us Realize Our Need for Community
Americans have a long history of valuing rugged individualism. But the Bible tells us that God designed us for community, partnership and friendship. Here are some examples.
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
"God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing." Psalm 68:6a
"...there should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Unity and safety in caring communities is meant to be our trademark as Christ-followers. The old saying, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" applies to this area. We would be wise to invest ourselves fully in the giving-and-receiving life of a community before troubled times come upon us. But if we have not yet seen this truth, there is nothing like hard times to bring our need for others into clear focus!
Upside # 2: Trouble Moves our Beliefs from Theory to Fact
The outstanding worldview series, The Truth Project, asks a key question: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" Most Christians know much more about what they should believe than they are actually living-out in their daily lives. But hardships, failing health, physical dangers and other insecurities press us face-to-face with harsh reality. These things make theory insufficient.
When all is well it is easy to say God is our protector and provider. When all seems lost economically we find out how deeply we believe Jesus when He says, "Seek first the Kingdom...and all these things (food, clothes and life's necessities) will be given you as well." When we are in danger or sickness attacks one of our loved ones we will discover how deeply we are convinced that Jesus meant it when He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
I do not mean to suggest it is in any way wrong to struggle with our faith in hard times. On the contrary, I do not believe any of us can master the realities of fully trusting the Savior unless we face troubled times. Facing hard times is how all Christians are moved from hopeful theories about God to confident faith in God. God's reality will become deeply rooted in personal experience when we see Him keep His promises in our circumstance. Then, to paraphrase James our Lord's brother, we will be able to say, "We consider it pure joy that we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance. And we will let endurance have its perfect result, so that we may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." (from James 1:2-4)
Upside # 3: The Gospel Shines Brighter in the Dark Times!
Lastly, we have all heard the saying, "Light shines brightest in dark times." If that analogy is true (and history has proven it to be so time and time again) then these troubled times are a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ and His gospel.
In the past few months we at the Harbor Church have seen a great upswing in people being willing to admit their neediness and investigate faith issues. Personal idols and their old pillars of security are crashing down around them! Our monthly food distribution is always full. More than ever those who come are just as desperate for comfort, encouragement and prayer as they are for groceries.
I have had several young married couples come to my office and say their marriage is in trouble due to financial crisis. One couple said, "We are considering a divorce because we cannot stand all the fighting...but we don't want our marriage to end because we are each others' best friends." They went on to say, "You told us in pre-marriage class that we needed Jesus in our lives to be happily married. We didn't believe you then but we believe you now. We'll do anything to find God."
Job loss, troubled marriages, rebellious children and illness seem to be coming at people at an over whelming rate these days. Sometimes I want to yell at Satan for "piling on" some dear folks. But in their darkest of times I am watching people become more humble, teachable and serious about their relationship to Christ. They are seeing Jesus be faithful in their circumstances. They are coming together in committed community and caring for one another like never before. Taking the long view of life, these will all prove to be treasured upsides!
"Points to Ponder"
by Bob Mattila, Harvest Network Pastor and Founder of Golden Eagles Ministry
bomatt59@aol.com, 218-848-2352
"Koinonia" is an absolute intimate relationship of love in Christ. If you are doing what is right in your own eyes, koinonia becomes impossible in your life and the life of the church. Yielding your loyalty or allegiance to anyone other than Christ as Head is spiritual adultery. If pastors or elders or other influential persons or committees try to run or rule the church, koinonia is lost. Koinonia always starts with individuals in church and their relationship to God. When a person refuses to deny self and follow Christ, they lose the blessing of Christ, as the rightful authority, as Head of the Body. The leadership of the church must be submitted to the headship of Jesus Christ. The church cannot be blessed and filled with koinonia if it is in a rebellious state.
Each member of the church must submit to Lordship of Christ in his life and Christ's Lordship over the church. Koinonia love relationship with God includes all members of the Body, including other churches and denominations.
Love can dissolve our differences.
We desperately need to stand together in unity, helping one another. The scripture clearly tells us that God is against divisions that separate and He calls us to love and unity. I see very little movement toward unity of the Body in our culture. The civil war saying, "United we stand, divided we fall!" is real. We could be doing a far better job of bringing light to the darkness in our communities, families and the world by being united together, sharing our gifts, money, accommodations and people for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 12:25-26 "So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Mark 3:24-26 (paraphrased) "God's divided Kingdom cannot stand. A house divided cannot stand. If Satan is divided and opposes himself, his end has come."
I Corinthians 1:10 "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. "
All churches, Christians and denominations should become united in fervent prayer together in unity and love, in bringing transformation and revival. This has happened in past American revivals and has happened and is happening all over the world. Let us come together, not for entertainment of speeches, but for genuine, fervent prayer and intercession.
- Pastor Victory had his building in the city of Port-au-Prince suffer extensive damage and had to move church meetings out of the building to a gas station parking lot and adjoining alley. The government came to the building and condemned it. They ordered Pastor Victory to demolish his building and remove all debris. They gave him one week in which to do this.
Harvest Network was able to send some of the funds that were so generously gathered from our local congregations and individual members of the Network and meet the emergency need of Pastor Victory. He was able to demolish his building and clear his site.
- Pastor Lesly had much damage to his compound just outside of Port-au-Prince. He found himself in a difficult position as he had a large influx of orphans but no way to care for them.
Debbie Swanger's Orphan Outreach ministry contributed $1450 to the Network for Pastor Lesly to use to care for his orphans.
- Scout Team: Harvest Network Elder Bob Swanger is coordinating a scout team led by members of his church, The River, to get information for a Harvest Network mission team in late July/early August. The purpose of summer team would be to assist in rebuilding. The scout team will be traveling to Haiti May 21-23, 2010.
- Rebuilding Team: Harvest Network has had many people express interest in helping on the summer rebuilding trip. If you are interested but have not yet notified Harvest Network, please contact Bob Swanger at rswanger@harvestnetworkintl.org. We will have better details about the rebuilding trip following the scout trip. Watch for more information to come at the end of May, so you can plan your summer adventure to Haiti with us!
- Raising More Funds: We are still receiving for the Haiti fund. The balance of funds collected will go to reconstruction for the ministries of Pastor Lesly and Pastor Victory. Any groups (youth groups, small groups, women's, men's...) that would like to raise funds for Haiti would be greatly appreciated!
By Jim Anderson
Upside # 1: Hard Times Make us Realize Our Need for Community
Americans have a long history of valuing rugged individualism. But the Bible tells us that God designed us for community, partnership and friendship. Here are some examples.
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
"God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing." Psalm 68:6a
"...there should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Unity and safety in caring communities is meant to be our trademark as Christ-followers. The old saying, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" applies to this area. We would be wise to invest ourselves fully in the giving-and-receiving life of a community before troubled times come upon us. But if we have not yet seen this truth, there is nothing like hard times to bring our need for others into clear focus!
Upside # 2: Trouble Moves our Beliefs from Theory to Fact
The outstanding worldview series, The Truth Project, asks a key question: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" Most Christians know much more about what they should believe than they are actually living-out in their daily lives. But hardships, failing health, physical dangers and other insecurities press us face-to-face with harsh reality. These things make theory insufficient.
When all is well it is easy to say God is our protector and provider. When all seems lost economically we find out how deeply we believe Jesus when He says, "Seek first the Kingdom...and all these things (food, clothes and life's necessities) will be given you as well." When we are in danger or sickness attacks one of our loved ones we will discover how deeply we are convinced that Jesus meant it when He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
I do not mean to suggest it is in any way wrong to struggle with our faith in hard times. On the contrary, I do not believe any of us can master the realities of fully trusting the Savior unless we face troubled times. Facing hard times is how all Christians are moved from hopeful theories about God to confident faith in God. God's reality will become deeply rooted in personal experience when we see Him keep His promises in our circumstance. Then, to paraphrase James our Lord's brother, we will be able to say, "We consider it pure joy that we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance. And we will let endurance have its perfect result, so that we may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." (from James 1:2-4)
Upside # 3: The Gospel Shines Brighter in the Dark Times!
In the past few months we at the Harbor Church have seen a great upswing in people being willing to admit their neediness and investigate faith issues. Personal idols and their old pillars of security are crashing down around them! Our monthly food distribution is always full. More than ever those who come are just as desperate for comfort, encouragement and prayer as they are for groceries.
I have had several young married couples come to my office and say their marriage is in trouble due to financial crisis. One couple said, "We are considering a divorce because we cannot stand all the fighting...but we don't want our marriage to end because we are each others' best friends." They went on to say, "You told us in pre-marriage class that we needed Jesus in our lives to be happily married. We didn't believe you then but we believe you now. We'll do anything to find God."
Job loss, troubled marriages, rebellious children and illness seem to be coming at people at an over whelming rate these days. Sometimes I want to yell at Satan for "piling on" some dear folks. But in their darkest of times I am watching people become more humble, teachable and serious about their relationship to Christ. They are seeing Jesus be faithful in their circumstances. They are coming together in committed community and caring for one another like never before. Taking the long view of life, these will all prove to be treasured upsides!
"Koinonia" is an absolute intimate relationship of love in Christ. If you are doing what is right in your own eyes, koinonia becomes impossible in your life and the life of the church. Yielding your loyalty or allegiance to anyone other than Christ as Head is spiritual adultery. If pastors or elders or other influential persons or committees try to run or rule the church, koinonia is lost. Koinonia always starts with individuals in church and their relationship to God. When a person refuses to deny self and follow Christ, they lose the blessing of Christ, as the rightful authority, as Head of the Body. The leadership of the church must be submitted to the headship of Jesus Christ. The church cannot be blessed and filled with koinonia if it is in a rebellious state.
Each member of the church must submit to Lordship of Christ in his life and Christ's Lordship over the church. Koinonia love relationship with God includes all members of the Body, including other churches and denominations.
Love can dissolve our differences.
We desperately need to stand together in unity, helping one another. The scripture clearly tells us that God is against divisions that separate and He calls us to love and unity. I see very little movement toward unity of the Body in our culture. The civil war saying, "United we stand, divided we fall!" is real. We could be doing a far better job of bringing light to the darkness in our communities, families and the world by being united together, sharing our gifts, money, accommodations and people for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 12:25-26 "So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Mark 3:24-26 (paraphrased) "God's divided Kingdom cannot stand. A house divided cannot stand. If Satan is divided and opposes himself, his end has come."
I Corinthians 1:10 "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. "
All churches, Christians and denominations should become united in fervent prayer together in unity and love, in bringing transformation and revival. This has happened in past American revivals and has happened and is happening all over the world. Let us come together, not for entertainment of speeches, but for genuine, fervent prayer and intercession.