Harvest Blog

"Be kind and compa ssionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Dear Friends, I was listening to a podcast the other day that talked about spiritual amnesia. It is the idea that as Christians, we tend to be forgetful. We might forget... ...we have been saved. ...what sinners we were and still are. ...that we STILL need a Savior. ...ways God has shown up and provided. It also lead me to think about something my husband often says when interacting with people in tough situations: they never wanted this. In fact, often times we forget to treat people with dignity because of their situations instead of remembering… …they are someone’s son or daughter. …they once were a coo-ing baby. …they never wanted their life to turn out this way. When we remember people’s humanity - when we can take a moment to picture them as a little child dancing or singing - we can remember to treat them with the respect God says they deserve. Yes, there are usually still consequences for life choices and behaviors, but instead of judgment we can meet people with grace and compassion. Some More Sticky Notes: Ms J- Received access to furniture she needs in her new apartment. Mr W - Received a bus pass to help him care for his two small children while in a shelter. Mr M – Received furniture help for himself and his young daughter Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Dear Friends, Prayer and the Word of God are the lifelines of a Christian’s walk with the Lord. Prayer connects us directly to our Heavenly Father, inviting His wisdom, comfort, and strength into our daily lives. When we open the Bible, God speaks to us through His truth, reminding us of His promises and shaping our hearts to reflect His character. Together, prayer and Scripture create a living relationship with God, allowing us to both speak to Him and hear from Him. As the Psalmist declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) above. When we stay rooted in prayer and God’s Word, we find the strength to stand firm against temptation, clarity when making decisions, and peace in the midst of trials. Scripture equips us with guidance, while prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God’s will. These practices don’t remove life’s difficulties, but they change how we walk through them—reminding us that we are never alone and that God’s Spirit is at work within us. On the other hand, when we neglect prayer and the Word, our hearts can quickly drift. Without the steady voice of Scripture, we begin to lean on our own understanding, which leads to confusion, fear, and discouragement. Without prayer, our burdens weigh heavier because we are no longer laying them at the feet of Jesus. Jesus Himself warned, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Just as our physical bodies cannot thrive without food and water, our souls cannot thrive without daily communion with God through prayer and His Word. Let us be people who daily seek the Lord—who carve out time to pray, to read, to listen, and to grow. May we be reminded that prayer and the Word are not burdens but blessings, given to us so we may walk in God’s power, peace, and purpose. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Friends, Yesterday most of my family spent many hours in the car - at least two of those hours winding through back roads in Tennessee. One of the things we did to pass the time was spot churches. I’m fairly convinced there’s one church for every ten people in that part of the country! (We stayed in Crossville, TN, which also made me chuckle…welcome to the Bible belt.). Google told me this: Tennessee has a high concentration of small churches due to its history, demographics, and social structures. Many small churches are deeply rooted in rural communities, serving as vital centers for social, spiritual, and even economic support. The state's strong religious traditions, particularly among Protestant denominations, have historically led to the establishment of numerous congregations, often reflecting the diversity of religious beliefs within smaller, localized areas. Having spent many years in a small church, I can say there’s truth to the idea of the church functioning as a large family. There were always people willing to help with virtually anything - and likewise, we could offer that same willingness to help. The only downside comes when we start to compare ourselves to the churches around us, compete for attendees, or forget that different styles are not salvation issues. In ministry it is also easy to get distracted by the programs offered by organizations and think “we should do that” or “we should be more like them”. God has called Harvest to a specific mission: serving the local community through the Thrift Store, Harvest Helps, and telling our neighbors about Jesus along the way. Thank you for running THIS race with us! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms K - Received groceries for her family so she didn’t have to worry while recovering from surgery. Ms C. - Received car repairs and groceries so she could work and take care of her daughter. Ms S – is a domestic abuse survivor and given to pick out furniture for her new home and clothes for her kids. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) Dear Friends, One of the most awe-inspiring and often overlooked attributes of our Heavenly Father is His long-suffering nature. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who is not quick to condemn, but slow to anger and rich in mercy. As it says in 2 Peter 3:9 (above). That verse captures the very heart of the gospel—a God who waits, who endures, and who loves us enough to give us time and space to turn toward Him. At Harvest Youth Ministries, this divine patience is something we seek to model every day. The youth who come through our doors or contact us through our websites often arrive with heavy burdens—stories of rejection, trauma, addiction, or simply being forgotten by the world around them. And yet, we believe that no story is too far gone, no heart too hard, and no life too broken for God to redeem. Because of your faithful support, we’re able to do more than offer encouragement—we provide real, tangible hope. We offer shelter for young women who have nowhere else to go. We provide life learning opportunities—skills like budgeting, emotional regulation, and decision-making—that help equip them for adulthood. We often connect them with job opportunities and mentors who walk alongside them as they grow in confidence and purpose. But most importantly, we surround them with the love of Christ. We speak truth. We listen without judgment. We pray with them. And we patiently wait, knowing that God is always working, even when progress is slow.  Your partnership in this ministry is not just financial—it’s deeply spiritual. You are helping us embody the patient love of God to a generation that desperately needs it. Thank you for believing in this mission, and for trusting that even small seeds of faith can grow into lives forever changed. As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. (Deuteronomy 6:20-23, ESV) Friends, Not long ago, one of my sons wrote a story where he woke up with super-speed powers, entered a race, and—of course—won a million dollars. But what came next in his story stopped me in my tracks: he wrote that he gave the money to “the Harvest charity” to help people. It meant so much to see his young heart reflecting what he's seen and heard. He’s heard Aaron and me talk about the ways we get to serve our community through Harvest, and he's even tagged along to help with projects himself. That simple story reminded me just how much our kids—and the world—are always watching. Deuteronomy 6:20 says, “When your son asks…” Not if. When. If we live lives that truly reflect God's goodness, people will ask why. Why do we live the way we do? Why do we serve and love others? I especially love verse 23: “He brought us out from there, that he might bring us in…” What a powerful reminder that we aren’t just saved from something—we’re saved for something. We’ve been brought out of sin and into abundant life. That’s what Harvest is all about. It’s our way of walking alongside people in our community, serving them with love, and sharing the story of a God who still brings people out—and brings them in. Thank you for being a part of it! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms S - Received groceries, clothing, and household supplies for herself and her three children Mr W - Received household items and furniture  Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1, NIV) Dear Friends, Earlier this week, I stood near the edge of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia—where Roman ruins meet mountain cliffs and the world feels impossibly wide. My sons and I had just come from canyoning in Slovenia, climbing waterfalls and diving into clear, cold pools, when one of them looked over and said, “Dan would love this!” Dan, one of my other sons, is currently in basic training with the U.S. Air Force. As I write this, he’s learning the meaning of duty, service, and sacrifice. And as we mark Juneteenth this week, I find myself reflecting on freedom—the kind hard-won in both the body and the soul. Juneteenth reminds us that even long after a declaration of freedom is made, it can take time for truth to arrive at every doorstep. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued two and a half years before the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, heard they were free. Delay didn’t make the freedom less real—it made it more urgent. That gap—between what’s promised and what’s lived—is something we all know. In Christ, we are declared free. Free from sin, free from shame, free from earning love we’ve already been given. But how long does it take for that truth to reach every corner of our hearts? It’s easy to get tangled up in shame over our past, fear over our future, or pressure to perform for God’s approval. But like those waters in the mountains, God’s grace keeps rushing toward us—even when we don’t feel ready. Juneteenth reminds us not only of what has been broken in our world, but what has been healed. What was once stolen, God is restoring. What was once silenced, God is amplifying. His gospel is still announcing freedom to captives—then, now, and always. So wherever you find yourself this week—whether in celebration or struggle—remember: you are already free in Christ. Let that freedom reach deeper. Let it ripple out to others. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. (Ephesians 3:20) Friends, Last month, I hesitated to include all four sticky note stories at the bottom of my newsletter—I had a moment of panic. What if next month is slower and I don’t have any stories to share?! But y’all… last month’s newsletter highlighted the overwhelming number of people in the Dayton area who need help—and then God showed up in a big way. In addition to regular funding, we received another generous donation specifically designated for Harvest Helps, allowing us to serve even more people! What a blessing it was to write down their names, fill out their sticky notes for my wall, and tell them, “Jesus loves you.” Aaron reminded me there would always be people who need help and people who want to help. It was a timely reminder to stay the course! Please join me in praying for this month’s Harvest Helps recipients and ask God to continue pouring out His blessings on the Dayton area. Right now, we’re working to meet needs related to transportation, housing, clothing, and food. Hopefully, those are the names I’ll be sharing with you next month! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms V - Received clothing needed for her grandson Miss L - Trafficking survivor who needed a bus pass and clothing Ms B - Received a car payment and a grocery order Mr A - Received some personal hygiene items Unknown - Received clothing to meet an immediate need Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) Dear Friends, Have you ever asked, “Why is this happening to me?” or “Why do the righteous suffer?” If so, you’re not alone. This question echoes through the ages—from Job’s cries in the Old Testament to the quiet prayers of believers today. Jesus never promised us a life free from hardship. In fact, He said quite the opposite: like in John 16:33 (above). We often expect that doing good should shield us from pain. But Scripture reminds us that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence—it’s often where His presence is most deeply felt. The Apostle Paul, who endured beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks, wrote: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed... struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Why does God allow suffering? Sometimes it’s to refine our faith, to draw us closer to Him, or to allow His glory to shine through our weakness. Other times, we may not understand the reason this side of heaven. But we can trust that our pain is never wasted. Jesus Himself, the only truly “good” person, suffered more than we can imagine. He was betrayed, beaten, and crucified—not because He deserved it, but because He chose to bear our burdens. His suffering brought us salvation.  So when trials come, remember: you are not alone. Christ walks with you. And though this life brings sorrow, it also brings hope—hope anchored in the One who overcame the grave. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby