Is a person who's been a Christian for many years and who has studied and grown of greater value to the kingdom of God than a new believer? Believe it or not, the answer is "no!" They are both of the same value to the kingdom--a value so high we cannot even fathom it! What is true, however, is that the more learned believer will be able to do different things for God. He or she has been tried and tested through many things, and God can call on him or her to perform missions that require that level of maturity. A new believer would have difficulty performing some of the tasks God would require of someone like a pastor or elder in the church. They would probably feel like a fish out of water--probably even becoming discouraged. The right thing in the right time my friends. And God is in control of all of it! "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making it tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 9:16-17) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5, ESV) Friends, January is a beautiful time of starting over, starting fresh. We see so many people right now making New Year’s resolutions, starting new routines, and determining to do things differently. Y’all, I am determining to do things the same…sort of. What an amazing year it has been connecting with people in our community on a personal level. There is something about looking a person in the eyes that says, “You are seen, as a PERSON. Not as a problem to be solved or a case to be closed, but as a human being who has deep needs and wants and who probably never wanted to be in this situation.” My resolutions this year? 1. Continue to see people as people, not projects. 2. Pray for as many people as possible – planting spiritual seeds while physical needs are met. 3. Continue to pray for wisdom as needs come in, so funding is stewarded well. 4. Share the wins and the prayer requests – there is strength in numbers! 5. Be thankful for each opportunity to remind people they are seen and loved. CELEBRATIONS!!! Unnamed Man – Laundry Gift Card! Ms C – Groceries for her family! Ms G – Bus Pass! Ms T – Amazon Wishlist Items for coats, cleaning supplies and more!! Ms B – Groceries for her family! Ms J – Utilities help! Ms K – Help with Rent! Ms S – Household items! Ms L – Laundry gift card & detergent Ms C – Bus pass! Ms A – Bus pass! Ms V – Groceries! Ms A – Bus pass! Ms S – Bus pass! I cannot wait to see what 2026 holds in this space and share more stories with you! Glory to God! Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16 (NIV) Dear Friends, One of the core convictions of Harvest Youth Ministries is that faith requires action. Words of encouragement are meaningful, but Scripture reminds us that love becomes real when we meet actual needs in tangible ways. The world doesn’t change because we wish someone well. It changes when we roll up our sleeves, step into someone’s struggle, and help them take a step forward. This is exactly what your partnership empowers us to do throughout the Dayton area. Through Harvest House, young people facing instability or crisis find more than a temporary solution—they find safety, support, and caring adults willing to walk with them. And through Harvest Helps, we compassionately meet practical needs for families—food, transportation, clothing, household essentials, and other vetted assistance that lifts burdens and restores hope. Each situation is handled prayerfully and personally, never as a transaction but as a ministry opportunity. But meeting physical needs is only part of what makes this work meaningful. Because of your support, we also have the privilege of sharing the Gospel, encouraging young people with the hope of Christ, and praying with them in moments when they desperately need to know they are not alone. These spiritual conversations often become turning points—reminders that God sees them, loves them, and has not forgotten their story. Your generosity allows our faith to become more than words. It becomes compassion in motion—faith with hands and feet. As needs continue to grow and more families reach out, you make it possible for Harvest Youth Ministries to respond with wisdom, discernment, and Christ-centered care.  Thank you for investing in work that demonstrates the love of Jesus in both word and deed. Because of you, young people and families in our community are experiencing the Gospel lived out: not empty wishes, but faithful action. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

"If God is love, then why is there so much evil in the world?" Many people get a kick out of asking a pastor or a priest that question. I've definitely gotten it plenty of times. Maybe they just want to see the reaction or something, but they strike out if they ask me. I look at it as either ignorance, or maybe an attempt to bring an indictment against God. My answer is typically framed in the form of a question. "So, have you ever looked at the evil inside of you?" Honestly, if any one of us put our minds to it, we could probably do more evil than any other person has ever done. It's down inside our hearts already--all we'd need to do is let it out! That's the problem my friends--we are sinners, and unless something radical is done about it we'll just keep on sinning. That's the purpose of the Cross--to save us from our sinful selves. God is not the author of evil--He is the author of grace! "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Far too many churches and Christian organizations will lay out an exhaustive plan for how you can serve, and how you can give, with far too little emphasis on helping you learn to follow Christ. I have met more people who are sick of their churches for this reason than for any other I can think of. Beautiful stained glass, wonderful programs, and all the great philosophical teaching in the world simply won't get anyone into a right relationship with their Creator. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that, and that only comes through the Holy Spirit of God. So it suffices to say that if the leaders of a congregation are not trying to lead you in that direction, then they are not being prompted by the Holy Spirit. Frankly, the most successful churches I know (both in monetary terms and in terms of souls saved) are churches who simply and methodically point people toward a loving, believing and saving relationship with Jesus. "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many people tell me they just can't share their faith. While I can understand the difficulty, sometimes I think the problem is they are trying to share it the way they've seen others do it, and maybe that's not the best way for them. Below are six different ways of sharing your faith with an unbeliever. See if you can find one that fits an evangelistic situation you've been avoiding. 1. Confrontational. (Should be used only by those well versed in the Scriptures and should be used sparingly even then.) 2. Intellectual. Using logic (or Christian apologetics (giving reasons for your faith). 3. Testimonial. (Anyone can tell someone else their own testimony. It doesn't have to be long, and it's hard to argue with) 4. Relational. (Building relationships for the express purpose of sharing your faith.) 5. Invitational. (Generally used in formal settings like church or rallies.) 6. Service (Acts of service done in love). "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Although we should all strive to become mature in our faith so that we can teach others, we must also understand that doing so changes the way the Lord looks at us. He can use us to grow others, but if we are then unfaithful in the way we speak, or teach, then we will be judged more harshly than a new believer. And it's not just how we speak when we're teaching that gets us... it's how we speak all of the time. We must set the standard for other believers, and be a model Christ follower for those who are not. "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

The Scriptures tell us that God did not have a beginning, and that He does not have an end. For you and I that may be hard to understand (possibly because on this earth we will have both!) Knowing that I had a beginning (in my mother's womb, or even before that in the mind of God) serves to humble me greatly. I did not ask for life, and yet I have it! Think about it for a moment... the same God who put the stars in the sky conceived you in His mind before your mother conceived you. Then, the Scriptures tell us He "knit" you in her womb. While we probably will never be able to fully understand how God could always have been, we will one day move from the restraints time and space put on us and into eternity. Once we're there, I'm betting our perspective on life will change radically. Then the ignorance of thinking unborn babies are "choices" and human embryos are fodder for "experiments" will be exposed by God Himself. Until then, He relies in great part on you and I to carry the torch of "life!" Believe me friends, God is pro-choice in the sense that He gives us choice in whether or not we follow Him. But the Scriptures are resolute in the fact that He is pro-life when it comes to shedding innocent blood. Just some 60 years later we now look back at Adolph Hitler's "experiments" as cruel and inhuman. Think back to your school lessons. In his mind didn't Hitler believe he was advancing mankind through "selection" and the through the sciences? Death only advances itself. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate