Names?
Elizabeth Kilby • April 6, 2026
“Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, 2 in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah): The list of the men of the people of Israel:” (Ezra 2:1-2)
Friends,
I always feel a temptation to skip over lists of names in the Bible. Reasonably, a quick scan usually gives us the information we need in those more detailed sections. But every once in a while, I like to slow down and let some of the names roll around in my mind… Rehum, Baanah, Mispar.
I have no idea how to pronounce them, so I give them my own pronunciations and start wondering about who they might have been. What were their days like? What were their roles in their communities? Who were they?
They were real people with real lives, doing the work God had set before them.
Last night, Aaron and I had the opportunity to share about Harvest at our local church. They are planning to host a clothing drive for the thrift store, and we were able to share a little bit about the heart behind the ministry.
Afterward, I chatted with a few people, including Mrs. W, who told me she had been donating for years and reads these newsletters. (Hi, Mrs W!) Of course, my awkward response was, “Well, then we’re basically best friends!”
For a long time, I was the one who put these newsletters into envelopes, sealed them up, and dropped them off at the post office. I became so familiar with the names on that mailing list. Even though I didn’t know most of them personally, I knew they were real people who cared enough about Harvest to support the work.
Just like those names in the Bible were real people, so are the people who quietly make ministries like Harvest possible.
Every donation, every bag of clothes, every prayer, every person who chooses to care about the needs of others — they all matter. Their names may not appear in a list in Scripture, but they are known to God, and their faithfulness makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
And sometimes, when I see those names or meet someone who has been supporting the work for years, I am reminded again that ministry is never the work of just a few people. It is the quiet faithfulness of many.
CELEBRATIONS!!!
Ms L – Received Second Harvest Thrift Store, store credit so she could get a couch, making her home more comfortable for herself and her five children.
Ms B - Received help with gas and electric bills, as well as some counseling resulting in payment plans with both companies so her family will be able to cover the bills going forward!
Blessings,
Elizabeth Kilby
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"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" (James 2:15-16, ESV) Dear Friends, In the book of James, we are given a simple but challenging picture of what real faith looks like. (See James 2:15-16 above). It's a question that cuts straight to the heart. Faith was never meant to stop at words. It was always meant to move - to act, to serve, to step into the needs right in front of us. I find myself reflecting on that passage often, because it so clearly describes the kind of ministry we are called to be. We are now in our 28th year, and the need for the gospel has never been stronger. Some of you have been faithfully giving and praying with us for all of those years, and I want you to know how deeply grateful we are. I am proud of much of the work we are doing together at Harvest Youth Ministries. Through our Second Harvest Thrift Store, we not only provide affordable clothing and essentials, but also offer job training and meaningful employment - helping individuals build confidence, develop skills, and take real steps forward. Through Harvest House, we give stability, safety, and care. And through Harvest Helps, we step into urgent situations with practical assistance - meeting real needs in real time. Just this week, we were able to help pay bills for a former thrift employee who recently suffered a stroke and is still in recovery. Moments like that remind us that this work is not theoretical - it is deeply personal. None of this happens without you. Your generosity turns compassion into action. Your prayers matter deeply - and when those prayers are paired with giving, they become a powerful force for change. Together, we are living out what James describes - not just offering words of encouragement but delivering hope in tangible ways. Thank you for being part of a ministry where faith is not only believed - it is lived! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby
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