People say that in most marriages one spouse is the spender and the other is the saver. Unfortunately for my husband, I have always been a spender and he has been the saver. Each time I share my testimony with one of the Crown classes, I reflect on how God brought the two of us together and how much I have learned since then about God's perspective on finances and stewardship.

I grew up having a very selfish and thoughtless view of money. My parents always provided everything I needed, but I never really knew how to manage money or use it in a way to build the kingdom of God. After getting married, I saw how different my opinions on money were from Sol's, particularly in the area of debt. And once I took my first Crown class, I began to understand that there were clear biblical principles that supported being debt-free. I started using a budget for the first time, and investing more in my 401K. But more than these financial benefits, there are other blessings from Crown that I consider even more valuable:

1. Realizing that God is in control of our finances as well as every area of our lives
2. Building closer relationships with other Crown students and leaders
3. Sharing prayer requests and seeing God answer them
4. Memorizing the Word of God and later being reminded of those verses at just the right time
5. Witnessing God's faithfulness to Harvest as over 100 students have taken Crown, including elementary, high school, and college age students.

Even with the current state of the economy, my hope is that we as God's people will apply the principles that we have gained from Crown and continue to be generous and faithful stewards for God's kingdom work to be done at Harvest.

Angela Bahng
Crown Financial

Take a few minutes and prayerfully soak in this song.

I have been involved in Ambassadors for ten years. Looking back to when I first entered school, I had a difficult time adapting to the college life. I also knew that my faith was not build on the toughest foundations and was afraid that I would fall away. I wanted to go to U of I or UIC where there were reputable campus ministries to grow my faith. However, God had other plans. He led me to see that sometimes, you must fight for your own faith and blessings. I was too accustomed to being taught everything and 'spoon fed'.

When I came to NIU, God showed me that if I wanted to get to know him, I would have to take the initiative. It was not the easiest thing. Many times, I wanted to transfer out, but God somehow reeled me back in. I often ask God how I was going to do well in a place like this, where very few strong churches or campus ministries exist on campus. Every time I ask of that from God, He would ask me to fill in the gap instead. I realized how selfish I was. I grow by not what God can do for me, but I should evaluate why God has sent me here. What purpose does he have for me where I am and what can I do for his glory?

He flicked on a light switch in me...and helped me to realize that He has a purpose as to why I was in NIU.

Sherman Lee
NIU Ambassadors

Originally posted to Life is Ministry on Monday, October 15, 2007

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Preparing food for the hungry was more than just a time of work. It was a time of worship and a blessing to be able to be part of it. It was so good being able to share this experience with Abi as well. She kept asking me who was making the kids sick, and I kept trying to explain in different ways that in some places people don't have any way to get the food that they need. She had trouble understanding how this could happen, but was very eager to prepare food for the kids who are starving. When we were driving home I asked her what her favorite part of the day was. She said, "The party". I was confused and when I asked her she responded, "You know, the party where we made food for the kids."

To find out more about how you can serve, visit the FMSC website.

Matthew Swain Pastor of Outreach Ministries

Many years ago, my friends and I attended a 12 hour prayer conference, standing side by side with 20,000 other believers in a large outdoor stadium to fast and pray together. During the time of praise, I noticed a middle-aged woman worshipping God through interpretive dance nearby. She hopped and twirled with her arms gracefully moving in all directions, and I soon realized that her movements resembled an artist applying paint onto a canvas.

With her face lit brightly, she seemed to be painting something beautiful, a masterpiece only she could create and only God’s eyes could see. Her left arm was held in the air to hold the palette while her right arm gracefully moved to and fro as she splashed vibrant colors onto the invisible canvas. I could only imagine the radiant colors she envisioned as she filled her canvas with praises unto God. Witnessing this woman completely immersed in a liberating act of worship made me want to experience it as well.

Although I never learned anything about who this woman was, observing her use of painting and dance as a unique way to worship left an impact on me. As Director of Multimedia at Harvest, I have the unique opportunity to worship God in a similar way, only my palette and paint brushes are my computer and mouse.

From time to time, I find myself wondering if the video spots or fliers I create for the church are spiritual acts of worship to God. But as I reflect on the woman from the conference, I’m quickly reminded that the expression of worship is not limited to one medium or method. I have the privilege and opportunity to creatively use my pencils, paint brushes and design programs to worship Him.

While designing a logo for a new ministry or updating banners for our church website, I’m inspired to do my very best because I have a canvas that’s not only visible to God, but visible to others as well. My hope is that it can impact the lives of others in the same way the woman’s worship did mine.


Sunny Chung
Director of Multimedia at Harvest

This is a video of some footage of friends of Harvest during their recent furlough in the states. As you watch this please remember to lift up not only their family, but each of the families that HCC is partnering with around the globe.

When I read the Bible, occasionally a verse, sentence or phrase will stand out as though in bold print. I take that as the Lord wanting me to pay special attention to it, to chew on it awhile. The most recent example comes from Romans 12:16 which includes, “Do not be wise in your own opinion.” To me this meant, “Don’t think you know it all. Don’t be conceited. Be humble and willing to learn.”

As a younger Christian, I viewed humility as meaning self-loathing, self-disgust, putting myself down in comparison to others. It took awhile for me to realize that this kind of “humility” actually made self the focus and was self-absorption, not humility. I learned that true humility doesn’t involve comparing myself with others at all, but comes from seeing who I am in comparison to who God is. He is the Creator of the universe. I am His finite creature. Remembering my smallness in light of His greatness is what engenders true humility. And this too is not a self-loathing. Instead, it is a sense of awe at the reality that Someone so great deigns (condescends, stoops down, sees fit) to lovingly involve Himself in the life of someone so small.

As human beings, we all have a deep desire to “be somebody.” It seems that almost every time I do something that makes me feel like I have done something good or praise-worthy, the temptation to cross the line into pride quickly follows. And then a verse comes along that says, “Do not be wise in your own opinion.” And I remember that I am “somebody,” not because of anything I have done, but because I belong to God and I am His child.

Ruth Carr
2008 HCC Women's Retreat Speaker

I am not surprised by Jesus’ answer to the disciples when asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” His answer…little children. Every Sunday morning in SEEDS, I get to see with my own eyes why Jesus told them, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

As the SEEDS Director, I wish I could say that I get to church every Sunday filled with peace and vision. But the truth is that most Sundays get off to a pretty hectic start for me. Just getting to church on time with my own four children is a feat in itself.

From the moment I walk into the church building I am consumed by the flurry of activity that is required to make sure everything is ready for the day. Craft preparations. Broken copy machines. Classroom conditions. Teacher coordination. Remembering that I may have left something important back at home. By the time I walk into the SEEDS worship room for the start of service, my heart is often tied up in knots of tension.

But as soon as the singing starts something amazing happens. I look around the room and see the children belting out the songs with the kind of carefree enthusiasm that children have, and the tension starts to unwind. I see how unashamed little children are to shout and express their enthusiasm for Jesus. I can just imagine how Jesus must be beaming as the children of SEEDS are, literally, jumping up and down with both their hands in the air as they sing from the top of their lungs, “One Way, Jesus, You’re the only One that I will live for!” Sure, they don’t get all the verses right, but no one can mistake that chorus and its energy. I see in those children something I need more of—something God delights in.

Serving in SEEDS is not always easy, but it’s so good for my soul.

Jeannie Lee
Director of Seeds

I thought a lot about what I should share in terms of Praise team at Harvest and I went through a list in my head; a soul-penetrating quote? a reflective devotional that would cause a revival in the hearts of all men? a mini-sermon on praise and songs of the Bible that would challenge Pastor Dave’s sermon in profundity? But when the dust settled after all these ideas clouded my head, it was clear what I should share. It’s what God has taught me about praise over the 7+ years of serving on praise team. When that hit a chord in my heart, the lessons God had taught me was too numerous to count, I had been ministered by God himself through praise team and here’s just a few of the things I learned:
1. Praise is pure, singing is just singing: Matthew 21:16

“Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read," 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" (or from the lips of children and infants you praise is perfected)

It is 7 am when we get to church for practice, and no one is chipper or happy and making joyful noise unto the Lord is far away from our minds, even though that is precisely why we’ve gathered. When we practice, with sleep still looming over our heads, we just practice, but after a small breakfast followed by the good breakfast of the soul, prayer that is, somehow, our haphazard clanging of instruments only an hour prior to the worship service turns into pure praise and we know God is pleased. Singing without the outpour of the blessing or challenge in our lives is just singing (and not even good one at that). Children and infants have pure hearts; their praise is perfect because of it.
2. Praise without circumstance: 2 Chronicles 35:25

“Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.”

A lot has happened over the seven years on praise team, and it’s not always been a joyride, sometimes, many times, it’s been difficult. I’ve seen family and friends pass away, dealt with “drama” from both family and friends, and not to mention, the sadness of not being able to conceive a child. I’ve learned that praise is not praise because we are happy or joyful, it’s not an expression of happy like laughter or skipping, but we sing to God because he’s God. He deserves it. He demands it. When I sing, even a song of lamentation, I am content and my heart is full. Even when praise is only meant for Him, God has given me the gift of release in singing and crying out to him.

3. Praise is undignified: 2 Samuel 6:14

“David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might.”

Even after all these years, I still get nervous standing before a congregation 200 strong. Leading out a song or doing a solo is my worst nightmare. My heart pounds and it gets in my throat and even when I try with all my might, I can’t control the quiver and the shrinkage in volume that happens when I start to panic! I always try to remember, “this is not about you and it’s not a performance!” Praise should be undignified, like how King David danced in the streets of Israel still wearing his high priest linens. He didn’t think about his earthly position, but worshiped him in all eagerness that everyone and everything else faded out of consciousness. I want to worship like this, with all my might and without consideration of how that makes me look.

It appears as though, I did select option #3 and do a three point sermon, but in all honesty, I have been blessed and honored to serve on Praise Team for the last several years. Praise Team is a ministry I’ve found joy in even during the times we had to be at church by 6:30am! No, it’s not an easy ministry, but I am always thankful for it.

Susie Shin
HCC Praise Team

Revelations 21:1-5 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

--
Jason Kim
Pastor of College-Age Ministry

At the beginning of Luke after spending 40 days fasting in the wilderness Jesus inaugurates his ministry by reading a portion of this passage. Among the many inspiring pictures that Isaiah 61 conveys is the idea of replacing ashes with crowns of beauty. In ancient cultures ashes were often used as and external and public display of remorse and grief. As Jesus read this passage and says that claims that he is the fulfillment of this passage he is giving us a taste of the Gospel in action.

Jesus has come to take the dirty, broken, grief stricken, embarrassing things of this world and redeem them for his glory. We know that on our own we suffer in the ashes of grief and self pity, but for those who reach out to Jesus there is a whole new way of life set before us.

At Harvest Community Church we are a group of broken people who have experienced both the ashes and the beauty. This is the place that we hope to share our collective story with you. We hope you enjoy hearing our story and it is our prayer that you also will be able to experience ashes turned to beauty in your own life.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations. -Isaiah 61