We are deeply grateful for the rest and renewal God provided through July’s Sabbath. Thank you for faithfully praying for our leaders and for our church family. Our leaders have returned refreshed, encouraged, and ready to continue joyfully loving, serving, and shepherding you. Your prayers are a gift to us, and we are grateful.
We trust that your summer has been fruitful and that you have been faithfully practicing hospitality—not only toward one another, but also toward your neighbors and those God has placed around you. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. It is a joy to hear how God is using these simple acts of love to build relationships and open doors for the gospel. We are encouraged to see you growing in this area and pray that hospitality would continue to become a defining characteristic of our church family.
August Elder Meeting
We held our August Elders’ meeting this past Tuesday, August 18, at our Rolling Meadows Campus. We began our evening by praying for those who were able to join us for healing prayer. What a privilege it is to bring the needs of our church family before our Father.
When we encounter illness and suffering, we may not always understand why God has allowed them, but we can trust that He is sovereign and that even suffering can ultimately serve His purposes and bring Him glory (John 9:2). So please continue to pray for those who are suffering among us—for steadfastness (Romans 5:3), joy (Proverbs 17:22), comfort (Psalm 119:50), and healing (Psalm 103:3). May our trials draw us closer to Christ and deepen our confidence in His goodness.
Following dinner and more prayer, Mike Vanlaningham led us in a theological discussion covering four important terms: Theological Hermeneutics, Evangelical, Calvinism, and Dispensationalism. If you are reading along with us, we will begin Chapter 2 at our September meeting.
We would love to hear what you are learning and what questions these studies are raising for you. If you haven’t already, consider picking up a copy of 50 Most Important Theological Terms by J. Brian Tucker & David B. Finkbeiner and read along with us. Bring your questions; we would love to learn together.
Celebrating Aurora
Although there has been much happening across our campuses, this month we want to highlight what God is doing at our Aurora Campus.
Through Jon Bell’s leadership, they have done an excellent job of practicing hospitality. Families gathered at eight different locations strategically placed throughout the city, opening their homes for cookouts and inviting both church members and neighbors to share a meal and fellowship together. What a beautiful picture of the church being the church, not simply gathering on Sunday, but opening our lives and homes to the people God has placed around us.
Joel Aurand has also been such a tremendous answer to prayer. We remember praying and praying for God to provide a youth director, and since June, Joel has faithfully answered God’s call and stepped into this much-needed ministry. We are grateful for his willingness to serve our students and families. Our student interns are also making a significant contribution to both the quality and quantity of discipleship.
And then came another beautiful answer to prayer: a former student who had moved away recently returned as an adult, placed his faith in Jesus as his Savior, and has already begun inviting others into the new life he has found in Christ. Praise God for His faithfulness!
What a joy to see seeds planted years ago bearing fruit in God’s perfect timing. Please continue to pray for Aurora, and especially that God would provide a full-time worship leader. And if you have not yet visited our Aurora Campus, this Sunday would be a wonderful opportunity. Their Fall Celebration begins following the 10:00 AM gathering and runs from 12:00–2:45 PM. Come celebrate what God is doing!
Looking Back and Looking Forward in Elgin
It is hard to believe that we closed on the sale of our Elgin Campus almost one year ago to Acts 2 Network. Since the sale, we have continued to worship and minister on the campus as tenants. Acts 2 has been a gracious and supportive landlord, and we have learned much simply by watching them serve and love others. Thank you, Acts 2!
Please keep Acts 2 in your prayers as they seek to advance the kingdom of God on college and university campuses worldwide. Many of us first came to know the Lord during our college years, and we understand firsthand just how significant and strategic this ministry can be. Pray that God would continue to use them to reach students with the gospel and raise up disciples who will carry the good news wherever He sends them.
The Lifezone 360 Building
We also have an exciting opportunity before us. On July 23, 2026, we officially went under contract to purchase the Lifezone 360 building in West Dundee.
We are now in a 90-day due-diligence period. We’re carefully examining the property—including the building, structure, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems—while also reviewing architectural plans and potential build-out costs, evaluating lending options, and pursuing the zoning approvals needed for a church to operate at this location.
We anticipate completing most of our building-related inspections by our October 21, 2026, deadline. However, zoning and other governmental matters may require additional time. Under our agreement, we have the right to request two 45-day extensions, potentially extending the due-diligence period to December 5, 2026, and then January 19, 2027.
Closing could occur 30 days after the completion of satisfactory due diligence. In other words, Lord willing, closing could potentially occur anywhere from late fall 2026 into early 2027. Once closing is complete, we anticipate a season of updating and remodeling the interior of the building, with the hope of our first worship gathering there in the fall of 2027.
Commercial transactions like this often take considerably longer than a typical residential purchase, and we want to be thorough rather than hurried. There are many details to work through, and we want to steward this opportunity faithfully.
Most importantly, please pray. Pray that God would go before us, remove every obstacle, and—quite literally—open the doors He wants us to walk through. Pray for wisdom, discernment, unity, and patience for our leaders. And pray that, whether this particular opportunity becomes our next home or not, we would have the faith to follow wherever God leads.
Discipline, Conflict, and Restoration
We closed our evening by discussing church discipline and restoration. We are currently working through an updated policy designed to help guide our church family through conflict and, whenever possible, toward reconciliation and restoration (thank you to those of you who have given us the feedback we need to become more loving and faithful in this area).
We also have encouraging news to share. A member of our church family is being restored to fellowship after a season of reflection and repentance — and that’s worth celebrating.
Church discipline is never meant to be about punishment for punishment’s sake. Its aim is restoration and the pursuit of holiness within Christ’s body. Jesus teaches us to pursue our brothers and sisters when there is conflict (Matthew 18:15), and Paul calls the church to take seriously both its purity and its responsibility to restore those who repent (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:6–8).
So please pray—not only for those who are currently walking through discipline, but that God would graciously restore many more to fellowship. Pray that our church would become increasingly faithful in handling conflict and sin with both truth and grace, holding firmly to God’s Word while always longing for the restoration of our brothers and sisters.
We plan to provide additional teaching in the coming months on church discipline, conflict resolution, and restoration. Our desire is not merely to create better policies, but to become a people who are increasingly equipped to live faithfully, lovingly, and courageously according to the Word of God.
Thank you for walking with us, praying with us, serving with us, and trusting God with us. There is much for which we can be grateful, and much for which we can pray.
God is at work among us. May we have the faith to recognize it, the courage to follow Him, and the humility to give Him all the glory.
With gratitude and hope in Christ,
The Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel