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.
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