Building Bridges to

Reach and Serve

Impacting Our Community

In the "Great Commission," Jesus commanded his followers to "Go into all the world..."  (Matthew 28:16-20).  Sadly, most churches and Christian organizations do just the opposite.  Most do "outreach" by developing various programs designed to "draw" people to their particular building or group.  At Harvest Youth Ministries, we take the "go" in the Great Commission literally.  Whether it's creating spaces where teens enjoy congregating, developing and pushing devotionals that strike at the roots of issues in modern culture and point to the Truth's of Jesus' words, we "go" into their world, hold out our hands, provide physical/spiritual help when & where we can, and then we share the Gospel.  Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 do just that....  to reach-out and serve unchurched young people. Our mission is to offer real hope in a dark world as we meet the practical needs of our neighbors.


Harvest Youth Ministries comes alongside teens and their families as they work to break cycles of poverty, unemployment, abuse and more.

Harvest Youth Ministries

Our Mission:

To fulfill the Great Commission by bringing consumable pieces of God’s Word directly into peoples lives and by creating non-threatening environments for investigating the truth of Jesus’ birth, life, and resurrection.

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Our Programs

Harvest House
Harvest
House
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Harvest Helps

Harvest

Helps

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Thought 4 Today
Thought
4 Today
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Second Harvest Thrift Store
Second Harvest
Thrift Store
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Harvest Blog

Read about news, updates, thoughts and more!

By Elizabeth Kilby July 7, 2025
“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. (Deuteronomy 6:20-23, ESV) Friends, Not long ago, one of my sons wrote a story where he woke up with super-speed powers, entered a race, and—of course—won a million dollars. But what came next in his story stopped me in my tracks: he wrote that he gave the money to “the Harvest charity” to help people. It meant so much to see his young heart reflecting what he's seen and heard. He’s heard Aaron and me talk about the ways we get to serve our community through Harvest, and he's even tagged along to help with projects himself. That simple story reminded me just how much our kids—and the world—are always watching. Deuteronomy 6:20 says, “When your son asks…” Not if. When. If we live lives that truly reflect God's goodness, people will ask why. Why do we live the way we do? Why do we serve and love others? I especially love verse 23: “He brought us out from there, that he might bring us in…” What a powerful reminder that we aren’t just saved from something—we’re saved for something. We’ve been brought out of sin and into abundant life. That’s what Harvest is all about. It’s our way of walking alongside people in our community, serving them with love, and sharing the story of a God who still brings people out—and brings them in. Thank you for being a part of it! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms S - Received groceries, clothing, and household supplies for herself and her three children Mr W - Received household items and furniture  Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby
By Pastor Jim Kilby July 7, 2025
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1, NIV) Dear Friends, Earlier this week, I stood near the edge of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia—where Roman ruins meet mountain cliffs and the world feels impossibly wide. My sons and I had just come from canyoning in Slovenia, climbing waterfalls and diving into clear, cold pools, when one of them looked over and said, “Dan would love this!” Dan, one of my other sons, is currently in basic training with the U.S. Air Force. As I write this, he’s learning the meaning of duty, service, and sacrifice. And as we mark Juneteenth this week, I find myself reflecting on freedom—the kind hard-won in both the body and the soul. Juneteenth reminds us that even long after a declaration of freedom is made, it can take time for truth to arrive at every doorstep. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued two and a half years before the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, heard they were free. Delay didn’t make the freedom less real—it made it more urgent. That gap—between what’s promised and what’s lived—is something we all know. In Christ, we are declared free. Free from sin, free from shame, free from earning love we’ve already been given. But how long does it take for that truth to reach every corner of our hearts? It’s easy to get tangled up in shame over our past, fear over our future, or pressure to perform for God’s approval. But like those waters in the mountains, God’s grace keeps rushing toward us—even when we don’t feel ready. Juneteenth reminds us not only of what has been broken in our world, but what has been healed. What was once stolen, God is restoring. What was once silenced, God is amplifying. His gospel is still announcing freedom to captives—then, now, and always. So wherever you find yourself this week—whether in celebration or struggle—remember: you are already free in Christ. Let that freedom reach deeper. Let it ripple out to others. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby
By Elizabeth Kilby June 5, 2025
God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. (Ephesians 3:20) Friends, Last month, I hesitated to include all four sticky note stories at the bottom of my newsletter—I had a moment of panic. What if next month is slower and I don’t have any stories to share?! But y’all… last month’s newsletter highlighted the overwhelming number of people in the Dayton area who need help—and then God showed up in a big way. In addition to regular funding, we received another generous donation specifically designated for Harvest Helps, allowing us to serve even more people! What a blessing it was to write down their names, fill out their sticky notes for my wall, and tell them, “Jesus loves you.” Aaron reminded me there would always be people who need help and people who want to help. It was a timely reminder to stay the course! Please join me in praying for this month’s Harvest Helps recipients and ask God to continue pouring out His blessings on the Dayton area. Right now, we’re working to meet needs related to transportation, housing, clothing, and food. Hopefully, those are the names I’ll be sharing with you next month! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms V - Received clothing needed for her grandson Miss L - Trafficking survivor who needed a bus pass and clothing Ms B - Received a car payment and a grocery order Mr A - Received some personal hygiene items Unknown - Received clothing to meet an immediate need Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby
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