FEBRUARY 2015 HarvestNET I N T E R N AT I O N A L harvestnetintl.com | [email protected] | 717.733.4071 A NEW THING It’s comforting to know that while many things change, some things do stay the same. The 2014 HarvestNET International Summit had many of the great features that partners loved about summits past. There was solid, challenging teaching from our own leadership and those brought in with new perspectives. Meals and breaks were a great time for partners to connect with one another and meet the new members of the growing network. The large selection of breakouts gave attendees a wide variety of topics with more specialized, practical input. Also, like previous years, this summit broke past attendance records. Even though consistency can be comforting, God is also propelling the network forward, and that was reflected in a number of new features and trends as well. Much of the increased attendance came from a growing segment representing the kingdom business community. Although the 2013 HNI Summit was the first time HarvestNET’s leadership designated one of the days to emphasize business, this summit offered even more sessions and breakouts, and business leaders engaged in a greater way. It was also an opportunity to honor those in the marketplace as kingdom leaders in their spheres as ministers of the gospel. to continue their kingdom work. It was also an opportunity to seek the Lord for new direction and let Him speak into the new season many are finding themselves in. This summit was also the first time that HNI leaders from different regions around the world gathered to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face in those regions. This development is a reflection of the advisory council’s decision to pursue regional leadership teams around the world. Attendees were encouraged by hearing each other’s hearts to advance the Kingdom in their spheres and appreciated the opportunity for face-to-face discussion on how to collaborate for greater impact. The speakers also spoke to this idea of “new.” Greg Surrat, president of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), encouraged people to think creatively by embracing their limitations. David Lee, a think revolutionary, encouraged not just outside-the-box thinking, but looking at our problems and opportunities in entirely new ways while not being ashamed to ask questions. And not only that, but to consider if we’re actually asking the right questions. A new freedom to fail was also released for people to make mistakes, This was also the first time that HarvestNET recognized some apostles, prophets, teachers, try new things, and partner with the Holy and pastors from within the network. Although Spirit to succeed in ways that were previously not exhaustive, the list lets partners know who unimaginable. David also challenged leaders, is available to serve the network in the fivefold both in the church and in the marketplace, to look beyond current structures and paradigms ministry areas if they have a need in their ministry or organization. The list is available on to consider how to work together to bring in the harvest for the Kingdom. harvestnetinternational.com under About. This summit included an increased emphasis on ministry with two opportunities available, one led by prophetic ministry teams and another by the HNI leadership. This helped partners to leave refreshed and filled back up The summit reflected not only the developments emerging within the network but also the new season God’s taking them into and the new season of collaboration He seems to be calling the church into. A MILESTONE FOR EPHRATA COMMUNITY CHURCH For the first time in the history of Ephrata Community Church, a new pastor stepped into the senior role. Many regional church and network leaders joined the Ephrata Community Church family to celebrate the installation of Kevin Eshleman as senior pastor on November 23, 2014. The evening capped off a multi-year process, shifting responsibility for the church from Founding Pastor Barry Wissler to then Senior Associate Pastor Kevin Eshleman. So when Barry passed the shepherd’s staff to Kevin that night, it was truly a handing over of spiritual responsibility for this local flock. Everything else had already been passed on. During the event, the elders were able to share their heart and support for Kevin in taking up this new role. Many affirmed his servant heart and looked forward to where God would take the church under his leadership. A highlight for many was to hear Stephanie Eshleman’s testimony about the process God took her through in first becoming a pastor’s wife. There were many laughs and possibly a few tears as she told the church how much she loves them. Kevin Eshleman also made 12 declarations over the church for its future. This house will be: 1. A house of worship 2. A house of prayer 3. A house of His Presence 4. A house of discipleship 5. A house for children 6. A house for youth 7. A house for all generations 8. A house of harvest 9. A house of generosity 10. A house of community 11. A house that honors all in the body of Christ 12. A house of His glory Before Barry and the elders prayed for the Eshlemans, HNI partners and local leaders were invited to come join them. The stage was filled with people who called forth God’s best for them and for Ephrata Community Church. Seeing the body of Christ unite in prayer was a great example of the kingdom foundations of both Ephrata Community Church and HarvestNET International. Barry Wissler has now turned his full attention to the apostolic ministry of leading the growing network of HarvestNET International. LOVE 2015: Minister Abroad With HarvestNET Join us for a ministry trip this year to serve HNI partners and friends around the world. Trips are available throughout 2015 for you to work alongside HarvestNET leaders to share the love of Jesus in London (April), Dominican Republic (May), Hungary (May), Czech Republic (summer), or the Philippines (September). These ministry trips are open to all who attend an HNI church or are an HNI partner. Go to harvestnetinternational.com/ministrytrips to learn more. Application deadlines begin this February! NEW PARTNERS GALEN BURKHOLDER International Director of Global Disciples HARVESTSENT WITH GATEWAY HOUSE OF PRAYER ANNA Trimarchi APRIL 30-MAY 2, 2015 NICHOLAS & LINDSEY Mousetis COREY RUSSELL JOSH & CHRISTA Smucker ROBERT Poe STEVE & KATHY Calkins KEITH Good BRITTANY Zimmerman JUSTIN RIZZO WHO IS WORTHY OF WORSHIP? The resounding response is that there is only one found worthy: Jesus the Christ. Gateway House of Prayer presents the Worthy One Conference at Ephrata Community Church on April 30-May 2. This conference will be centered around the worth of Jesus Christ and the appropriate response to His worth—night and day worship and prayer along with activated missional living to fulfill the Great Commission. There is a convergence of the prayer and missions movements into one movement unto the worship of one man—Christ Jesus. Join International House of Prayer‘s Justin Rizzo and Corey Russell and local leaders for a time of corporate worship, prayer, equipping, and activation. “To win for the Lamb the prize worthy of His suffering!” - The Moravians House of Prayer Kingdom Perspectives WORTHY MOTIVATIONS Jimmy Nimon, Senior Pastor of Lifeway Church & Discipleship Pastor of Ephrata Community Church WHERE TO START There is so much I can say about the worth of Jesus Christ that it has made writing this blog a colossal challenge to reduce the concept down to something that you can read in two minutes or less. 5 O AN AWESOME SCENE Worship is “worth-ship.” True worship flows from a response of the great value of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 4 & 5, there is a scene presented to us of the living and resurrected Christ on the throne of God. He is described like amber, jasper, and sardius in color. The prophet Daniel described Him as the Ancient of Days whose person and throne were burning with fire. The seraphim, whose very name means burning ones, are six-winged creatures that are doing “flybys” over and around the throne. The prophet Isaiah says that when they cry “Holy!,” the posts of heaven are shaken by those who cry out. All around Jesus Christ is an innumerable sea of humanity and angelic beings falling before Him in worship. THE REFLEX OF WORSHIP In heaven, they are not trying to “do something” in worship. They are not “working something up.” They are simply responding to the revelation and encounter that they are having with the One on the throne. The falling down, the exclamations of praise and adoration, and the burning fire emanating from the seraphim are ALL a reflexive response to the God they are seeing. They are not TRYING to do what they are doing. They are simply being before Him. They are COMPELLED by the encounter. Their response is SIMPLE and PURE. It flows out of their relationship with and their vision of the living God. His very presence and glory motivates their worship and service. They are all motivated BY THE WORTH OF JESUS CHRIST. THE WORTHY MOTIVATION Jesus Christ is worthy of our greatest efforts to serve Him, honor Him, and to ultimately spend our lives on what brings Him the most pleasure. The desire to give ourselves to Him in this way will flow from His very Presence into us as we seek His face in prayer, see Him in the Spirit in that place, and then honor Him with praise just like the scene in heaven. When I think about Christ’s church, I see a people in my mind who are moved by the revelation of His worth, who give themselves to His kingdom cause, who devote themselves to personal pursuit of Him in the secret place of prayer, fasting, worship, and Bible meditation. And then leave that place to go to every place, proclaiming the gospel of Christ and making disciples of their communities. I see a community of people who value the extravagant praise and adoration of Jesus Christ because He is, in fact, worthy of it all. If you want to learn more about the worth of Jesus Christ, see the Worthy One Conference ad to the left. Stay motivated. Encounter God. Bring His encounter to others! 5 kingdom KMS INDIA ministry SC HOOL SAVE THE DATE God’s Heart for the Poor June 21-July 20, 2015 Join us for a time of focused discipleship with HarvestNET Partner Duncan Watkinson in Bangalore, India. During these four weeks, participants will encounter God’s heart for the poor via teaching and discipleship by Duncan and his team. This mission will include a number of practical ministry assignments in Bangalore, Pune, and Goa, India. Students will spend time ministering to some of the poorest people in the world. Participants will focus on attending to children in the slum schools, shelters, and on the streets, ministering to disabled children and those affected by leprosy, and helping to feed the hungry. KMS/KFI COMMISSIONING CELEBRATION Thursday, May 21, 2015 6:30 p.m. at Ephrata Community Church For more information or to obtain an application, email [email protected]. EQUIPPING CLASSES Go to kingdomministryschool.com to register. LOGOS ACADEMIC TRAINING COURSE Facilitated by Kevin Eshleman & Barry Wissler March 6 & 7, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. *The purchase of a LOGOS 6 upgrade or library package is required. Contact the KMS office for a 50% discount. RELEVANT SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Essential Training of the Christian Faith Taught by Barry Wissler March 30–May 11 (except April 13) | 6 Mondays, 7:00-9:30 p.m. HEALTHY CHURCH LIFE A Community of Called Ones Taught by Larry Kreider, Dave Hess, Lester Zimmerman & Barry Wissler April 16–May 14 | 5 Thursdays, 7:00-9:30 p.m. REFORMATTING THE MIND Take Every Thought Captive Taught by Sue Ferrari April 20–May 11 | 4 Mondays, 7:00-9:30pm r. HarvestNET International Missions CONFERENCE Join us to hear how missionaries from the HarvestNET family are impacting their world and how mission organizations are developing self-sustaining programs. Be inspired by God stories of what He’s doing through people just like you. It may just give you new insight or fresh passion to impact your world. What’s In Your Hands? KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Peter Greer HOPE International Galen Burkholder Global Disciples April 10-12, 2015 harvestnetinternational.com nt. HARVESTNET INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE March 26-28, 2015 EUROPEAN Hosted by HarvestNET Partners Rod and Karen Woods at City Temple, London For more information, see the Events section of harvestnetinternational.com. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 7 0 C L AY S C H O O L R O A D E P H R ATA , PA 1 7 5 2 2 I N T E R N AT I O N A L HarvestNET NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LANCASTER , PA PERMIT #23
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