In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus' last words to his disciples were this:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
at harvest
We believe . . .
... that the local church is the hope of the world. It has been our experience that the best ministry partners exist within the local church — a group of people who believe Christ is the only hope for their communities. These folks know the ins and outs of their own culture, they love Jesus, and are committed to seeing others within their own communities experience the tangible love of Christ, too.
Why Harvest adopted Ethiopia
At Harvest's outset, rather than supporting missionaries we may or may not know all over the world, Pastor Vern desired to make a big impact in one specific place. Because Ethiopia is home to some of the poorest people on the planet, Harvest decided to try to help there.
The people! For sure! They are kind, resilient, resourceful. Ethiopia has been voted the most hospitable country in the world.
Extreme poverty. It's evil and oppressive, and it hurts the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia pervasively.
James 1:27 tells us that pure religion in God's sight is caring for widows and orphans in their distress. Thus, Harvest takes orphan care and orphan prevention seriously. At the outset, many Harvest families adopted children from Ethiopia. Today there are children and young adults that are now family right here in Billings. In addition, by partnering with Compassion International, we work to prevent as many orphans in Ethiopia as possible. Many children become orphaned when their families, often single mothers, are too poor to provide food or the cost of education for their children. In these cases, relinquishing their children to be raised in an orphanage becomes the most loving, last option. Compassion partners with the local church and every child enrolled and sponsors receives food, medical care, an education and a safe place to play during the week at the local church where each child is known loved and protected. We also have helped many churches in Ethiopia become Compassion projects by providing the funds to help get 250 of the poorest children in their communities started in the program. Lastly, we hire nannies to work at the government orphanages to help love and care for the children who have found themselves there.
When we are not in the midst of a global pandemic, once per year.
Sponsor a child.
Sponsor a nanny.
Go.
Why Harvest adopted Bolivia
JJ and Randi Guerrero, a couple who attended Harvest, felt the call to go to Bolivia about the same time Ethiopia was being determined as the country Harvest would focus on. JJ approached Vern and said he wanted to be on board with Ethiopia, but God was calling him to Bolivia. Pastor Vern told him that we would be his sending church. In 2017, Harvest sent its first team to Bolivia. Today, the City of Refuge ministry that the Guerreros founded is flourishing under full Bolivian leadership.
Coolest thing about Bolivia
The people! They are kind, hospitable, made in the image of God, and lovely in every way.
Biggest challenge we face in Bolivia
Again, extreme poverty. In Bolivia we see this played out through trafficking (murder for body parts) or a culture of violence against women and children.
Ways we've helped Bolivia in the past
Harvest was the main supporter for the Guerreros for the entire time they lived in Bolivia. Today, we still offer monthly support to City of Refuge, which disciples college age students. We also sponsor children through Compassion.
How often does Harvest send people to Bolivia?
Every summer.
How you can help:
Sponsor a child
Support CdR
Go
Why is it a secret?
Christians in this country are brutally persecuted, and it is illegal for them to share the gospel. For their safety, we keep the location private.
Why Harvest adopted this country
This is a country where 98% of the population has not yet had the opportunity to even access the Gospel.
Coolest thing about this country
Right now God's spirit is moving across this country similar to the books of Acts in the Bible. We hear regular stories of healings and miracles, and these are the things that are bringing people to Christ.
Biggest challenge we face in this country
Severe persecution of the Church. It is illegal to convert people to Christianity here and the Christians who reside here and minister are under constant threat.
Ways we've helped this country in the past
We empower the local church, just like we do in Bolivia and Ethiopia. But because it is illegal to have traditional church here, we support indigenous missionaries who already speak the language and know the culture. We have supported more than 18 missionaries who have planted more than 30 churches. We also have "adopted a village" in this country, which has allowed the local church in that community to build an education/training hub, provide medical care, and create businesses in this community. It has given the church credibility and is bringing even the surrounding villages to an awareness of Jesus Christ.
How often does Harvest send people to this country?
Every other year.
What you can do:
Pray.
Teach. You can teach via Zoom to house churches in this country!
Host. 90% of foreign exchange students never step foot into an American home. Students come to Billings each year from this country. Become a friend to an international student, take them to church, invite them into your home for meals/holidays.
Sponsor a missionary (commitment of $100/mo for 2 years).
Go. (For mature believers only).
Sponsor a nanny.
In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, sending millions of refugees over the borders. Men ages 18-60 were banned from leaving the country, which sent millions of women and children refugees over the borders. We know that traffickers would target these vulnerable people. We partnered with a small local church in Poland and provided funds to help them provide food and housing to refugees, which included the wives and children of several pastors who stayed in Ukraine to serve the people there. Funds sent were also used to resource these Ukrainian pastors with much needed food, water, fuel and vehicle maintenance on the cars these pastors used to rescue civilians from bombed out towns or to provide humanitarian relief.
By Global Outreach Director Lacey Maloney
