Experience God, Not Religion! 
     We believe that there is a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. We want you to know and experience God...not just go through the dry motions of religion! We believe that there are many people like you, who desire to develop their spiritual life and experience God in a non-traditional way. Harvest Community was designed with you in mind. We present the timeless truths of Christianity with a mix of contemporary music and relevant messages that address today's concerns.

Our Vision Statement:
     To engage our community through an active and authentic faith in Jesus Christ.


Our Mission Statement:
     Introduce the redeeming love of Jesus Christ to those around us:

• Attract people to the true love and grace of Jesus Christ.
• Add to every believer's relationship and intimacy with Jesus, and their knowledge of Him.
• Activate people to ministry.
• Advance the cause of Christ through humble, authentic living.

Come As You Are!
     Welcome to Harvest Community Church where our doors are wide open to everyone regardless of where they are at on their spiritual journey. We are a non-denominational Christian church, anchored in the timeless principles of the Bible, believing in their relevance to answering the problems we face today.
     Harvest Community offers more than just church—we offer an authentic Christian experience. We are striving to become the kind of church described in the Bible where there is relevant teaching, heart-felt worship, honest friendships, fervent prayer, and compassionate care for those in need. In short, we would like to have the kind of contagious Christianity that can influence and encourage the entire community, one life at a time.
     So whether you are a spiritual seeker who is just starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian who wants to sink the roots of your faith even deeper, you can find a home here at Harvest Community Church. You will find that this is a place where you really matter—because you matter to God.

Opportunities To Grow
     Raising a great family or maturing as an individual takes more than just meeting physical and emotional needs. In today's scary world we need deep spiritual roots more than ever. As individuals, parents, grandparents, and children, we need instruction to help us apply Biblical teaching to our lives. We need to be strengthened through meaningful relationships with people of integrity. Children will learn about Jesus in a safe and caring environment. Young people will be given the kind of encouragement and insight that is going to lead to wise decision making that will affect the rest of your life. Adults need the fellowship and support of a caring community. Becoming involved in one of our Sunday School classes, home or bible study groups, worship and prayer gatherings, the men's or women's ministries or the youth group is a great way to grow and learn how to live an authentic Christian life.

What We Believe
     The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, which is uniquely God inspired, without error, and the final authority on all matters. As the Bible teaches, there is one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each possessing all the attributes of deity.

The Father

     God created us to have fellowship with Him, but we have defied Him by sinfully going our own way. As a result, we need God's saving grace to end our separation from Him. Salvation comes only through this saving grace, not by our effort, and must be received personally by repentance and faith.

The Son

     Jesus Christ, second person of the Trinity lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplishes salvation for all who believe in Him. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us and will return again.

The Holy Spirit

     The Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ and equips believers for personal growth and service to the church. The church's role is to glorify God and serve those in need. In the end, everyone will experience final judgment. Those forgiven through Christ will enjoy eternal fellowship with Him in heaven.


Vision of Worship:
     At Harvest, we believe that worship is not merely what takes place on Sunday morning; but it is something that can happen everyday—in everything we do.

Worship at Harvest Community:
     The Bible does not clearly define worship other than to say that, "the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23) Not a word about guitars, organs, or any of the other trappings associated with the discussion of worship. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to worship.
     More than music, worship is... the expression toward God of praise, adoration, reverence, and awe. Because God has saved us in Christ, we now actually experience His power and presence. There are times in worship when we sense His intimacy, and other times when we sense His majesty. Between these two experiences are limitless possibilities for the expression of true worship.
     Jesus is not as interested in how we worship as much as whether we are worshipping. The style of worship at Harvest is contemporary and progressive, using today's current songs. We seek to use culturally appropriate forms to draw members and seekers into a vibrant and living expressions of worship. Sometimes the worship is quiet and introspective. Other times it is festive and exuberant—but always directed as praise to our Lord.

At Harvest, we intentionally pursue a worship style which:

• Relates in a contemporary setting. The Holy Spirit is speaking into the Church today, and much of the contemporary music reflects what is being revealed.
• Centers around a musical form which makes it easier for the "unchurched" to participate in our services.
• Engages the worshipper for long enough periods of time to draw the attention away from every day life, allowing people to experience the awe and wonder of the Lord.
• Rises above entertainment, involving the worshipper as participant with spirit, soul, and body.
• Integrates hymns and gospel songs which may not be contemporary in culture but have a timeless and timely message which enrich and enhance the flow of contemporary worship.

We view worship as a participation event.
     To be active in worship means that your heart, mind, and spirit are engaged in the pursuit of God. At Harvest, we want people to feel free to express themselves however the Spirit moves them, whether standing with your hands raised, sitting quietly with your eyes closed, or joyfully engaged in dancing before the Lord. Whatever adheres to sound doctrine and practices are encouraged at Harvest.
     The Leadership Team at Harvest understands that this approach to worship may not be for everybody. There are many beautiful expressions of worship and we rejoice in the diversity of the body of Christ. However, we must stay true to the vision God has given our church to follow, and we will do so boldly and without apology. This is our vision of worship!
     God has shown, in His Word (the Bible), many ways to express worship to Him. At Harvest, we welcome you to do and try any of the following types, whatever you are comfortable doing (which varies between all of us), in hopes that it will bring you closer to God.

Covenant of Participation:
     At Harvest Community Church, we desire to arrange our lives so that we can personally and corporately fellowship with God and live a life that brings glory to Him. We believe this is best accomplished as participants in community with one another. While there is a significant amount of work required to intimately share our lives, we are convinced that it is well worth the effort.
     Being in a committed relationship with our church is not a prerequisite for participation at Harvest Community. It is, however, the best way to be involved in the life of the church and the lives of its people.
     If you consider Harvest Community to be your church home, then consider becoming a Covenant Participant by agreeing to the following.

1. I will protect the UNITY of my church
   • By acting in love toward others — 1 Peter 1:22   "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."
   • By refusing to gossip — Ephesians 4:29   "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
   • By following the leaders — Hebrews 13:17   "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

2. I will share the RESPONSIBILITY of my church
   • By praying for it — Hebrews 13:7   Remember your leaders... consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith."
   • By inviting the un-churched to attend — Luke 14:23   "Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
   • By warmly welcoming those who visit — Romans 15:7   "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

3. I will serve the MINISTRY of my church
   • By discovering my gifts and talents — Peter 4:10   "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
   • By being equipped to serve — Ephesians 4:11-12   "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teacher, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..."
   • By developing a servant's heart — Philippians 2:3-4   "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

4. I will support the TESTIMONY of my church
   • By attending faithfully — Hebrews 10:25   "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
   • By living an active, authentic life — Philippians 1:27   "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
   • By giving regularly — Corinthians 16:2   "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income."

Our Affiliation: 
     Harvest Community Church is an independent church affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).

What does affiliated mean?
     The Church of God is congregational in its Government. Each local congregation is autonomous. Ministers meet in voluntary state, regional and national assemblies.

Why is Church of God not used in our name?
     Some of the churches affiliated with the Church of God use this title in their name. Harvest Community does not. We do not want people to misinterpret us as being part of a denomination.

Are all Church of Gods the same?
     Because of congregational autonomy, churches have different "personalities." Some are very small, others extremely large. Some use hymnals and organs while others sing new songs with electric guitars. Some are very traditional while others have charismatic leanings.
     There are other movements and organizations that use Church of God in their title. It's how they identify themselves before or afterwards that denotes the distinction. I.e. Church of God Cleveland, World Wide Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Church of God of Prophesy, etc. It should be noted they are all distinctly different and share neither historical roots nor ideological principles. Our particular movement is not historically related to the several Church of God bodies rooted in the holiness revival of Tennessee and the Carolinas in the late nineteenth century. Although it shares their holiness commitment, it does not emphasize the charismatic gift of speaking in tongues generally associated with Pentecostal churches.
     Harvest Community is affiliated with Church of God, Anderson, Indiana. The General Assembly meets in Anderson and the national offices are located there as well as a Church of God seminary and university.

Common Values/Core Beliefs
     The Church of God movement holds the firm conviction that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. In declaring our present understandings of Christian faith, experience, discipline, and fellowship, we gratefully acknowledge our particular indebtedness to the Protestant Reformation, to the Anabaptist free-church tradition, to the Puritan-Pietist movements, to Armenian-Wesleyan evangelicalism, and to the Holiness movement in the United States.
     The Church of God believes in a cluster of biblical teachings which form a vision of the church. Specifically:

1. God's church is the community of redeemed persons.
2. God's church is a community of divine-human partnership with Christ as Head.
3. God's church is a holy community.
4. God's church is intended to be a unified community.

     The Church of God believes that God calls his people to mission. All Christians are mandated to bear witness to God's saving activity in Jesus Christ and to "make disciples of all nations."

More Information:

     More detailed information is available upon request. Please e-mail Pastor Brent Waldemarsen at pastorbrent@harvestwillmar.com for more information about the church.