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 Pastor Jim Kilby 06 Nov, 2024
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) (NIV) Dear Friends, We had a sad situation come up at our counseling offices this week. One young teen left a note where others would certainly find it. When it was found by another teen, he left a very troubling response. I can’t really quote the first note because of the profanity it contained, but essentially it communicated the person “hated life and hated everyone in her life” and there were some troubling images as well. The second teen can be quoted with some edits, although it’s not pretty: “Nobody gives a f—k you should kill yourself retard b—tch”. Although we are trying to figure it out, we still can’t determine who left the notes. What I CAN tell you is that I’ve been pondering the whole thing for days. Clearly the first note was a cry for help. The second may be a similar cry, although this could be nuanced. Why does anyone bully anyone else? Is it insecurity? Low self esteem? Were they looking for attention? Is this a case of “hurt people hurting other people?” as a learned behavior being acted out? In any case, what I can certainly say is there is a HUGE lack of empathy for others. Sure, a teen may not understand fully how their words or actions may hurt others or maybe their lack of empathy for themselves make it easier for them to target others. Generally though, I find it’s most likely due to family problems, trauma or mental health struggles and this is an unhealthy way to attempt to cope with it. At any rate, it’s a long way from our Lord’s command to “Love one another,” and I guess that part makes me kind of sad. And so our work continues… It’s hard to love other people if you first don’t acknowledge and “love the Lord your God”. It’s out of that love that all other love flows. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby
By Elizabeth Kilby 06 Nov, 2024
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:9-10 Friends, I just got off the phone with the most infuriating company. I needed some basic answers, and their only response was I would receive an email when I received it. Seriously. I could feel my face heat up, my eyes began to tear up, and I could feel tension building throughout my body. In a blink though, I remembered God is not surprised by this! Is it a pain? Yes. Is it something that feels like it could be avoided? Yes. Will it get resolved? Yes. Then I had another thought. God was not surprised by my situation, but I wonder if He was “surprised” by how long it took me to remember He is in control. Because you know what? Everything I am working on daily does not surprise Him…ever. God is not surprised by… …the request for groceries. …the request for household goods for a single dad and his son. …the request for linens, groceries, and clothing. …the really big need for rent and stability. …the need for safe housing and reunification with family. …the dreams for the future of this ministry! None. Of. It. surprises Him. Only me. It only takes me off center and makes me remember God is the one who meets these needs anyway. He will get me the email. He will feed the hungry. He will provide comfort. He will see the unseen. And I get to be a part of it. And if you choose to, so do you! As we head into the last months of the year, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you of end-of-year giving. Donations received before midnight on December 31 st are tax deductible for this year. Prayer, though, can be given any time, night or day, and will count for eternity. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby
By Pastor Jim Kilby 08 Oct, 2024
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) (NIV) Dear Friends, At my age, lots of things annoy me, but not many things surprise me! There are, however, a few that still find me surprised. At the top of this list is probably biblical illiteracy. Not biblical illiteracy of the world in general, non-believers, lay people in the church, new believers and maybe those who are new to the scriptures. I’m talking about real biblical illiteracy in the hearts and minds of those who claim to be “clergy” and long-time believers who say they are among the among faithful. A great, but also horrible example of this is often found with politicians. Sure, they’ll have a “D” or an “R” behind their names which points to their political party. Both sides of those isles, and also the “independents,” all have their issues, but when they start talking about what God thinks and what God wants is when I can’t help but lay on it on the scale of what we KNOW God thinks, wants and says in the Holy Scriptures. In the last week alone I’ve heard our President, an ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a Vice President who wants to be President all claim that God is not only fine with aborting children, but in some cases He’s all for it! Then, to make things worse, the media will find some “pastor” or “bishop” who will say “amen” to the nonsense. I do love it when the Lord urges a genuine God-fearing man/woman to bear true witness in the face of these lies. “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree: The government, and certainly Donald Trump, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.” Kamala Harris “Dear VP Harris: I hear you make this statement all the time. Exactly what “faith” are you talking about when you say you don’t have to abandon it to support abortion? Are you talking about the Christian faith that says all babies are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26, that God places them in the womb (Jer 1:5) and that we should not take any life unjustly (Luke 18:20)?...” Tony Dungee Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby
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