September 15, 2026 | Elder Update

We returned to Crystal Lake for our September Elders’ meeting. After sharing a meal and praying, Kyle Meeker led us in a thoughtful theological discussion on three important terms: Dispensationalism, Revelation, and Inspiration. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue growing together in our understanding of God’s Word and in our calling to shepherd His church faithfully.
 
Celebrating Crystal Lake
There is much to celebrate across our Harvest family, and this month we want to especially highlight what God is doing at our Crystal Lake Campus.
 
By God’s grace, through faithful leadership, prayer, and the witness of His people, the Crystal Lake Campus has nearly doubled in size over the past five years. What is especially encouraging is seeing so many new people not only joining the church but also stepping forward to serve and help meet the needs of the body.
 
Tommy Creutz, Campus Pastor, and Ben France, Campus Executive Pastor, are humbled and grateful to share that the campus is now fully staffed. What a wonderful testimony to God’s provision! We give Him all the glory.
 
Please continue to pray that God would use our Crystal Lake family to make a lasting impact in their community and that they would faithfully live out the call of Esther 4:14—being ready for whatever purpose God has placed them there “for such a time as this.”
 
Life Zone 360 Purchase Update
Thank you to everyone who attended one of our informational sessions regarding the potential purchase of the West Dundee property as a possible new location for the people who attend the Elgin Campus. We are grateful for your thoughtful questions, encouragement, and feedback as we prayerfully walk through this process together.
 
We have approximately 30 days remaining in our current building due diligence period. During this time, we are carefully evaluating the building’s condition, lending options, site plans, and the property’s overall suitability for our church family and ministry needs.

We hope to complete this portion of the process by October 21, 2026. From there, we will focus more specifically on due diligence related to governmental planning, zoning, and permitted use.
 
We continue to ask God for wisdom, clarity, and unity as we take each step. Ultimately, our confidence is not in a building or in our own plans, but in the Lord who faithfully leads His people – knowing that “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands” (Acts 7:48).
 
90 Days of Prayer
As we move forward together in the potential purchase and transition to a new Elgin Campus location, we are sensing greater clarity in the vision God is giving us for the days ahead. We would love for our entire Harvest family to join us in 90 days of more concentrated and focused prayer.
 
Beginning on Sunday, September 13, and continuing through Saturday, December 12, we are setting aside each day to pray for a particular aspect of this journey:

  • Sunday – Gather: Pray that God would prepare a place for us to gather and, even more importantly, prepare our hearts for what He has in store.
  • Monday – West Dundee: Pray for the mayor, city council, community officials, first responders, and the broader West Dundee community.
  • Tuesday – Direction: Pray for clear and faithful leading for our elders, pastors, and ministry leaders.
  • Wednesday – Grow: Pray for our ministries to adults, children, students, and young adults—that we would continue to grow not simply in number, but as faithful followers of Jesus.
  • Thursday – Building: Pray for the architects, contractors, attorneys, agents, workers, and everyone involved in the property and building process.
  • Friday – Go: Pray for those who do not yet know Jesus throughout West Dundee, East Dundee, Elgin, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, and the surrounding communities—that many would hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ.
  • Saturday – Ready: Ask God to prepare you and your family for whatever lies ahead, just as He is preparing a place for us. Pray for hearts that are willing, expectant, and trusting of His leading.

 We don’t know everything God has planned, but we can trust our God who does. Let’s seek Him together and trust Him with every step.
 
Fall Celebration and Harvest’s 38th Birthday
Finally, we are looking forward to our last Fall Celebration this Sunday, September 20, at our Rolling Meadows Campus.
 
If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to attend one of our campus celebrations—or if you’d simply like to keep celebrating with your Harvest family—we would love to see you there!

Join us at 11:30 AM, immediately following our 10:00 AM Sunday gathering, as we celebrate together and give thanks for 38 years of God’s faithfulness to Harvest Bible Chapel.
 
What a privilege it is to look back with gratitude, look around at what God is doing among us today, and look ahead with hope for what He may yet do.
 
With gratitude for God’s faithfulness and hope in Christ,
The Harvest Elders

Harvest Groups Podcast

Helpful conversations about Community and Discipleship Groups (D-Groups) at
Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago.
Community Group Leader Podcast
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 1
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 2
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 3
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 4
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 5
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 6
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 7
D Group Leader Podcast
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 1 | Share Your Story
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 2 | Goals and Expectations
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 3 | HEAR Journals and Scripture Memory
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 4 | Accountability and Prayer
Conversation 1 D-Group Multiply Guide | Who, Why, Where?
Bonus Episode 1 | Am I Ready to Lead a D-Group?
Conversation 2 D-Group Multiply Guide | Identifying Potential Members
Bonus Episode 2 | How to Select the Right People for Your D Group
Conversation 3 D-Group Multiply Guide | Inviting Potential Members
Bonus Episode 3 | How to Invite People to Your D-Group
Conversation 4 D-Group Multiply Guide | Celebrate & Commission

Community Group Outreach/Service Ideas

Create homeless blessing bags together, distribute to homeless outreach in area or keep in your car to give out.  

Serve at The Ruth Project either downtown Elgin or at the farm 

Serve together at Feed My Starving Children 

Contact campus ministry team to “adopt” a single mother in the congregation, and provide her with ongoing support (babysitting, groceries, gifts of encouragement)  

Contact local elementary/middle/high school and ask to provide regular blessing baskets to teachers   

Contact local senior/assisted living facility and offer to host a praise and worship night or ongoing Bible study 

Serve at local soup kitchen  

Sign up to serve with Habitat for Humanity  

Find more Volunteer opportunities at https://www.volunteermatch.org/ 

Contact the Team