I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Friends, Yesterday most of my family spent many hours in the car - at least two of those hours winding through back roads in Tennessee. One of the things we did to pass the time was spot churches. I’m fairly convinced there’s one church for every ten people in that part of the country! (We stayed in Crossville, TN, which also made me chuckle…welcome to the Bible belt.). Google told me this: Tennessee has a high concentration of small churches due to its history, demographics, and social structures. Many small churches are deeply rooted in rural communities, serving as vital centers for social, spiritual, and even economic support. The state's strong religious traditions, particularly among Protestant denominations, have historically led to the establishment of numerous congregations, often reflecting the diversity of religious beliefs within smaller, localized areas. Having spent many years in a small church, I can say there’s truth to the idea of the church functioning as a large family. There were always people willing to help with virtually anything - and likewise, we could offer that same willingness to help. The only downside comes when we start to compare ourselves to the churches around us, compete for attendees, or forget that different styles are not salvation issues. In ministry it is also easy to get distracted by the programs offered by organizations and think “we should do that” or “we should be more like them”. God has called Harvest to a specific mission: serving the local community through the Thrift Store, Harvest Helps, and telling our neighbors about Jesus along the way. Thank you for running THIS race with us! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms K - Received groceries for her family so she didn’t have to worry while recovering from surgery. Ms C. - Received car repairs and groceries so she could work and take care of her daughter. Ms S – is a domestic abuse survivor and given to pick out furniture for her new home and clothes for her kids. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) Dear Friends, One of the most awe-inspiring and often overlooked attributes of our Heavenly Father is His long-suffering nature. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who is not quick to condemn, but slow to anger and rich in mercy. As it says in 2 Peter 3:9 (above). That verse captures the very heart of the gospel—a God who waits, who endures, and who loves us enough to give us time and space to turn toward Him. At Harvest Youth Ministries, this divine patience is something we seek to model every day. The youth who come through our doors or contact us through our websites often arrive with heavy burdens—stories of rejection, trauma, addiction, or simply being forgotten by the world around them. And yet, we believe that no story is too far gone, no heart too hard, and no life too broken for God to redeem. Because of your faithful support, we’re able to do more than offer encouragement—we provide real, tangible hope. We offer shelter for young women who have nowhere else to go. We provide life learning opportunities—skills like budgeting, emotional regulation, and decision-making—that help equip them for adulthood. We often connect them with job opportunities and mentors who walk alongside them as they grow in confidence and purpose. But most importantly, we surround them with the love of Christ. We speak truth. We listen without judgment. We pray with them. And we patiently wait, knowing that God is always working, even when progress is slow.  Your partnership in this ministry is not just financial—it’s deeply spiritual. You are helping us embody the patient love of God to a generation that desperately needs it. Thank you for believing in this mission, and for trusting that even small seeds of faith can grow into lives forever changed. As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby