About Harvest Youth Ministries:Our Vision: What We Believe What We Believe:The Bible, as originally written, was given through inspiration by God Himself without error to show us God's plan for how to enter into a relationship with him and how to live our lives. It is God's final authority for all Christian faith and life. There is only one God, Creator of everything, absolutely perfect, and existing forever in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was wholly God and wholly man. The Holy Spirit placed Him in the womb and He was born to the virgin Mary. He died on the cross for our sins. Further, he arose bodily from the dead and ascended into Heaven. Man was created in the image of God. Because of sin mankind is separated from God and faces eternity apart from God. However, through faith in Christ, we can receive a new life and the assurance of eternal life with God. The death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ provide the only way to complete forgiveness and acceptance by God. Only those who believe that Jesus died for them personally, who turn away from their sins, and confess Jesus to be their Lord and Savior are given new life through the Holy Spirit. The personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ is what we await. There will be a bodily resurrection of all dead. The believer will be raised to a life of peace, joy and worship forever with the Lord Jesus Christ. The unbeliever will be condemned to never-ending suffering and conscious punishment. Our Mission:To fulfill the Great Commission [1] by bringing consumable pieces of God's Word directly into peoples lives and by providing a non-threatening forum for investigating the truth of Jesus' birth, life, and resurrection. 1. The Great Commission: Matthew
28:19-20a Jim Kilby Founder, Harvest Youth Ministries Click here for a picture of Jim James "Jim" Kilby is the founding Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio. He is also the Founder and President of Harvest Youth Ministries, a large non-denominational youth outreach organization with two huge teen hangouts, The Cellar in Moraine, Ohio and The Attic in Kettering, Ohio. He is 47 years old, happily married with ten children and two grandchildren. Jim is also a retired Air Force officer. During his Air Force career, Jim worked as a program manager on some of the coolest and most classified systems in the world; such as the F-15, F-16, F-117, and even the awesome F-22 Raptor!Jim is definitely not your typical pastor. Not raised in the church, he rarely entered one as a young man. His father abandoned his mother and his little sister before his second birthday. He was raised by his very young mother and a line of several stepfathers. Along the way, his mother had two more children, making Jim the eldest of four. For much of his life, Jim lived in virtual poverty. His family frequently found themselves on State or Federal assistance. His mother's career as a country and western singer kept her away from the house much of the time. The family often moved from state to state--and the kids moved from school to school. Their home was a difficult environment for all the children. As the eldest child, Jim was routinely left to care for his younger brothers and sisters. Although incredibly difficult, this task instilled in him a deep-rooted sense of responsibility. It's also where he began to learn the leadership skills that would later make him successful in the military. With a lack of supervision and no spiritual foundation, drugs and alcohol helped Jim get himself into trouble with school officials and with the police as he neared the age of 13. At 15, Jim fathered his first son... and because of the transient nature of the next 23 years of his life, a son he didn't know existed until Jim was 38! Just before his 16th birthday, Jim's mother sent him to live with a step-father in Oklahoma. With "male-supervision," Jim cleaned-up his act some, but after returning to live with his mother a year later, he again found himself in trouble with the police. After an argument with his mother, he moved out on his own at 17. He subsequently dropped-out of high-school and took a job as a construction laborer. Constantly drinking, using drugs, and running with a very rough crowd, at 17, Jim began to wonder how he had slipped so far. The realization that his life was on the wrong track often brought back thoughts of a profession of faith he had made during vacation bible school at the age of twelve. While attending the week long school, Jim accepted the fact that he was a sinner and prayed to receive Jesus' as his Lord and Savior. Still, without any real Christian upbringing, he was at a loss for what to do. Looking back, he believes the Holy Spirit led him to act upon a dream planted in his heart by his mother many years before. In a moment of amazing foresight, she told Jim she believed he would one day be an officer in the United States Air Force. Knowing he had to make a dramatic change, one day Jim quietly walked into the office of an Air Force recruiter. With the military's help, Jim received at GED and after requesting and receiving several enlistment waivers due to his run-ins with the law, entered the Air Force in early 1980. Although a hard worker, Jim's off duty antics had him facing courts martial proceedings no less than four times during his first tour of duty. Finally, the military's rules and regulations helped Jim get his career on track, but his private life was quickly on the wrong path again. Inside he was still a very angry young man. After marrying a young lady he got pregnant, Jim's antics off-duty finally calmed down substantially. Still, his marriage was built on a very weak foundation. Soon after the birth of their second child, the marriage was in serious trouble. Caught in severe depression, Jim's first wife made a serious attempt to take her own life. It was during the aftermath of this suicide attempt and the subsequent divorce that Jim finally sought the peace and love of Jesus Christ. After finding a church and with mentoring from several Christian men, God put Jim's life back on-track. Still, he had left three children, a wife, and many others in his path of destruction. With his heavenly Father as the model, Jim works hard to be an active father to all of his children. In 1992, Jim met and married the love of his life, the former Jill Brensinger of Waldorf, Maryland and began work finishing his undergraduate degree at night school. While stationed at the Pentagon, Jim completed his bachelor's degree; finishing with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Later, he applied for an appointment to Air Force Officer Training School, and was selected. On June 22, 1994 he turned-in his hard-fought Master Sergeant stripes for the gold bars of a second lieutenant. With the help of the Lord, Jim had finally achieved the dream his mother had planted in him so many years before. He was an Air Force officer! Funny though, it wouldn't be long before God would ask Jim to give up his military career, in favor of reaching out to youth for Christ. Following that call, Jim founded Harvest Youth Ministries in 1998. In February of 2000, Captain Jim Kilby resigned his Air Force commission and retired to pursue ministry on a full-time basis. Under his leadership, that organization is still growing and reaches tens of thousands of youth each year. In October 2006, Jim founded Harvest Christian Fellowship in Xenia, Ohio. On April 1st of 2007, the church grew into its current 20,000 square foot facility in Kettering, which previously was a notorious nightclub and doubles as the Attic Teen Center. Jim is quick to point out that his Lord and Savior deserves all the credit for his transformation from high school drop-out to college graduate and beyond. His current goals include continuing to grow closer to Christ as he works hard to balance his public ministry with being a spiritual leader, mentor and friend to his wife and his children. The Kilby family currently resides in Beavercreek, Ohio. To ask Jim a question, send an e-mail to pastorjim@harvestyouth.org Have Jim Kilby speak at your next youth rally or retreat. Fill out a request. Interesting Stuff:Our Christian roots run deep in this nation... Check this out! "I speak as a man of the world to men of the world and I say to you, search the scriptures, the Bible is the book of all others to be read at all ages and in all conditions of human life; not to be read once or twice or thrice through and then laid aside, but to be read in small portions of one or two chapters every day and never to be intermitted unless by some overruling necessity." -- President John Quincy Adams "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis. A conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God. That they cannot be violated except with His wrath. I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just. And that His justice cannot sleep forever." -- Thomas Jefferson From an old-time Christian song. "Though none go with me, I still will follow" A good friend of mine said this one morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks! "God judges our successfulness by our faithfulness -- not by the number of souls we win to Him." -- Ken Parsons Something I heard in a sermon on in 1997... "The Lord Jesus died for me, and now I'm going to live for Him." --Dr. Wayne Ward Lyrics I like from contemporary Christian songs... "It's not what I did or didn't do, it's why I did it and for who." --Aaron-Geoffrey "Dear God, surround me while I speak." --Jars of Clay These words are written in the "Occasions to Remember" section of my bible. They were written by my children
Christina and Jimmy--they're followed by their by their signatures. I
can't read them without tearing up... I hope I never can! An e-mail that was sent to me that illustrates the nations Christian roots. HOW COULD 50 STATES BE WRONG? Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the U. S. Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong? THIS IS VERY INTERESTING! America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions: Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution .. Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land .. Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government... California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe. Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences . Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty . establish this Constitution... Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution... Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... establish this Constitution. Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings .. Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government. Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings . establish this Constitution Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges . establish this Constitution. Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties... Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy. Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine .. acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of_the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction. Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty... Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity .and devoutly imploring His direction .. Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom .. establish this Constitution Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work. Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. establish this Constitution . Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty
God for the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. establish this Constitution Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful
to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty . New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings. North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those .. North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain... Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order
to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences.. Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina. grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution. South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ... establish this Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience... Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God. Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution .. Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the
individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings
which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI .. Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator .. can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other . Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution .. West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God .. Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility .. Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution ... After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU an the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! "Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
- William Penn |