Harvest Family,
We held our March Elders’ Meeting this past Tuesday at our Crystal Lake Campus; what a blessing it was. Thank you to Tommy, Ben, Andrea, Dave, and everyone else (you know who you are!) who helped set up and host us. Experiencing such warm and thoughtful hospitality at each campus is a humbling reminder of how powerful this ministry truly is. Let us not neglect showing hospitality to one another and to our neighbors—you never know what blessings God may have in store through it.
We began our evening in prayer with those in need of healing. We heard many stories marked by hardship, pain, and suffering. Thank you for entrusting us with your deepest fears and burdens—it is a sacred privilege. Please know that we will not stop praying for you, and we invite you to join us in lifting up the sick among us. As one example, this Tuesday, March 24, at 8:30 AM, we will be continuing in prayer for one of our sisters as she endures another long round of chemotherapy. May God comfort her, strengthen her faith, and bring healing according to His will.
As elders, we serve as undershepherds of our Chief Shepherd, entrusted with loving, feeding, protecting, and caring for you. This is not a responsibility we take lightly, knowing we are accountable for your souls, and yet it is a joy to serve you because of your love and partnership (Hebrews 13:17).
In our February update, we shared that Rob Hamann completed his second three-year term. Now that his time has officially concluded, we took time to celebrate his leadership and thank him for his faithful service. Rob has served with humility, steadiness, and grace, especially during a challenging season. Stepping into leadership during such a time required deep trust in the Lord and pure motives. As we reflected, we were reminded of God’s faithfulness through seasons like COVID, the calling of a new lead pastor, and becoming debt-free—wow and amen. There are many more stories we could share, but we would encourage you to connect personally with Rob or any of our past elders and hear firsthand how God has been at work among us.
Here’s a resolution we passed in Rob’s honor, in keeping with the spirit of honoring elders who rule well (1 Timothy 5:17):
Whereas the Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd of our church, calls faithful men to shepherd and oversee His flock, charging them to lead the flock willingly and eagerly, being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2–3);
Whereas the Scriptures teach that elders are to be men of Godly character—above reproach, self‑controlled, hospitable, and able to teach—who hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7–9);
Whereas the church is called to recognize and esteem those who labor among them in leadership, for the elders who rule well are worthy of honor, especially those who labor faithfully in the ministry of the Word (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13);
Whereas Elder Rob Hamann has faithfully served Harvest Bible Chapel for two consecutive three‑year terms, devoting himself to prayer, shepherding, wise counsel, and the spiritual oversight of our congregation;
Whereas he has sought to care well for the church of God, paying careful attention to the flock (Acts 20:28);
Whereas his service has strengthened the unity and spiritual health of our church, working alongside fellow elders as a faithful co‑laborer in the gospel;
Now therefore, the elders on behalf of Harvest Bible Chapel give thanks to God for his faithful service, leadership, humility, and commitment to the Word of God; and be it further resolved that we commend him with gratitude and prayer, trusting that the Lord will continue to strengthen and use him for the building up of the body of Christ;
And be it finally resolved that this expression of appreciation be recorded and presented as a testimony of gratitude for Rob Hamann’s faithful service to Christ and to His church.
We also ask for your continued prayer as we seek the person God is raising up for this next season of elder leadership.
With the financial peace God has granted us, we have been able to think more carefully and intentionally about how we approach missions and ministry partnerships. We’ve developed a simple framework to guide our stewardship: investing in gospel-centered church planting, preparing and equipping leaders, and meeting tangible needs as a way to open doors for the gospel. We are also being more deliberate about where we engage — locally, nationally, and internationally — so we remain faithful both in our own community and beyond.
Alongside this, we are strengthening how we evaluate partnerships by ensuring alignment in doctrine, a commitment to long-term impact, and meaningful opportunities for our people to be personally involved — not just financially. We are also bringing greater clarity to what it means to endorse, support, or deeply partner with a ministry. Our heart in all of this is simply to be faithful, to pursue lasting kingdom impact, and to invite each of you into that work. Thank you for continuing to pray, give, and go with us.
Thank you for covering us in prayer as we strive to serve faithfully as undershepherds. Please continue to pray for healing within our church, and for compassion, unity, and wisdom as we lead. We are grateful for each of you and look forward with great joy to celebrating Easter together.
—The Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel