Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:3
Voices from Harvest St. Louis-West did just that this summer by joining with those from eight other churches to form the St. Louis Gospel Choir and Orchestra.
Concert halls, churches, cathedrals, and street corners across Germany and the Czech Republic were filled with praise as this diverse group toured from June 2-14—even appearing on national Czech TV.
Connecting through a variety of musical styles, cultural barriers were crossed and the message of hope shone through. Especially appealing to the Czech people were Afro-American spirituals and their illustrations of hope to those who formerly lived under godless communism.
Best of all: a clear presentation of the gospel given by Senior Pastor Michael Šust and testimonies by Harvest members opened opportunities for deeper questions, and resulted in some confessing Christ as their Lord and Savior! Among them, one woman who heard the Gospel Choir's concert in 2007 and “couldn’t get the message out of her mind"—a testimony to what Christ can do through seeds sown in faith.
Back in the States, the Gospel Choir and Orchestra presented a concert in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Their audience: 140 young men enrolled in Teen Challenge, an addiction rehab facility there. Being so close to home, many Harvest St. Louis members were also in attendance and blessed by this local opportunity to share God's grace with those in need.
We praise the Lord and give Him glory for these who are freely offering their time and talents to the eternal benefit of others, around the globe.
Love Links: one Harvest's answer to a child’s birthday wish, a need for transportation, a restoration of what was taken...all for God's glory.
Tapping into some distinct local needs, Harvest West Olive in Michigan has rolled up their sleeves for a spiritually significant means of filling them. Their unique Compassion Ministry “Love Links” provides bicycles to members of the community who cannot afford them on their own.
Parents who want to give their child a bike but simply do not have the funds, workers who need to get to their jobs but have either no license or car, families whose bikes are stolen and cannot afford to replace them—all are experiencing the blessings of this outreach.
Pastored by Ken Gentzler, Harvest West Olive has partnered with Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ), to offer this ministry. This local organization partners in the work of Christ by connecting with area churches to house its various programs. When asked three years ago to join forces, Harvest West Olive was happy to take on the challenge of meeting this community need. The garage on the church property then became home to the Love Links ministry.
Now, each week, a group of seven volunteers gather for Wrenching Night, during which repairs are made to donated bicycles. Donations of all kinds—child and adult, new and used, good condition and poor—are received every week, as well as donated funds for parts. Wrenchers then ready some 10-15 bikes each week in preparation for bi-weekly "Giveaways," where anyone with a voucher from Love INC heads to the garage for a retooled bike at no cost.
Last year, Love Links gave away over 200 bicycles. In 2010, 125 have already gone to those in need—42 at the first Giveaway alone.
God's blessing and favor are evident upon this ministry, as donations continue to arrive at the garage and volunteers continue to pour in their time and talents. In fact, supplies have never run out. During one high-need season, the Lord's provision was a shipment of 50 bicycles from the local sheriff’s office that helped meet the need quota.
More significantly, fulfilling what seems to be such a simple need prepares the way for spiritual opportunities, as interactions with Love Links servants offer genuine glimpses of the Savior's love. An early arrival reached a Giveaway after starting his trek on foot at 2 p.m. the day before—from a town 25 miles away. “It is such a joy to see kids smile when they get on their bike and pedal away,” notes one of the ministry's leaders.
Just as Jesus connected with people of all ages and backgrounds through practical means such as fish and bread, He is at work today meeting needs through His people and ministries like Love Links.