Harvest Blog

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5, ESV) Friends, January is a beautiful time of starting over, starting fresh. We see so many people right now making New Year’s resolutions, starting new routines, and determining to do things differently. Y’all, I am determining to do things the same…sort of. What an amazing year it has been connecting with people in our community on a personal level. There is something about looking a person in the eyes that says, “You are seen, as a PERSON. Not as a problem to be solved or a case to be closed, but as a human being who has deep needs and wants and who probably never wanted to be in this situation.” My resolutions this year? 1. Continue to see people as people, not projects. 2. Pray for as many people as possible – planting spiritual seeds while physical needs are met. 3. Continue to pray for wisdom as needs come in, so funding is stewarded well. 4. Share the wins and the prayer requests – there is strength in numbers! 5. Be thankful for each opportunity to remind people they are seen and loved. CELEBRATIONS!!! Unnamed Man – Laundry Gift Card! Ms C – Groceries for her family! Ms G – Bus Pass! Ms T – Amazon Wishlist Items for coats, cleaning supplies and more!! Ms B – Groceries for her family! Ms J – Utilities help! Ms K – Help with Rent! Ms S – Household items! Ms L – Laundry gift card & detergent Ms C – Bus pass! Ms A – Bus pass! Ms V – Groceries! Ms A – Bus pass! Ms S – Bus pass! I cannot wait to see what 2026 holds in this space and share more stories with you! Glory to God! Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16 (NIV) Dear Friends, One of the core convictions of Harvest Youth Ministries is that faith requires action. Words of encouragement are meaningful, but Scripture reminds us that love becomes real when we meet actual needs in tangible ways. The world doesn’t change because we wish someone well. It changes when we roll up our sleeves, step into someone’s struggle, and help them take a step forward. This is exactly what your partnership empowers us to do throughout the Dayton area. Through Harvest House, young people facing instability or crisis find more than a temporary solution—they find safety, support, and caring adults willing to walk with them. And through Harvest Helps, we compassionately meet practical needs for families—food, transportation, clothing, household essentials, and other vetted assistance that lifts burdens and restores hope. Each situation is handled prayerfully and personally, never as a transaction but as a ministry opportunity. But meeting physical needs is only part of what makes this work meaningful. Because of your support, we also have the privilege of sharing the Gospel, encouraging young people with the hope of Christ, and praying with them in moments when they desperately need to know they are not alone. These spiritual conversations often become turning points—reminders that God sees them, loves them, and has not forgotten their story. Your generosity allows our faith to become more than words. It becomes compassion in motion—faith with hands and feet. As needs continue to grow and more families reach out, you make it possible for Harvest Youth Ministries to respond with wisdom, discernment, and Christ-centered care.  Thank you for investing in work that demonstrates the love of Jesus in both word and deed. Because of you, young people and families in our community are experiencing the Gospel lived out: not empty wishes, but faithful action. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

“[they] did not honor God or give thanks....” Romans 1:21 (NIV) Dear Friends, Lately I’ve been reflecting on how easily our hearts drift when we stop practicing gratitude. Scripture warns us of this. In Romans 1:21, Paul says that when people “did not honor God or give thanks,” their hearts became darkened. Ingratitude isn’t just a moment of forgetfulness — it slowly reshapes the way we see God, ourselves, and the world around us. When we stop giving thanks, our hearts grow restless. Fear replaces trust. Complaining replaces worship. We start to believe we don’t have enough, or worse, that God isn’t enough. Gratitude is the antidote — a spiritual anchor that restores joy, softens our hearts, and brings our focus back to God’s faithfulness. Even one moment of recognizing His goodness can recalibrate everything. We see this all the time in the teens and families we serve. When they identify even a single blessing — an answered prayer, a caring friend, a moment of peace — hope begins to grow again. Gratitude opens the door for God to work in their hearts. And so today, I want to thank you. Your prayers, support, and generosity help us continue sharing Christ’s love with youth who desperately need it. Because of you, lives are being shaped by the hope found in Jesus. Without you, and God’s love, we can do nothing. As we move forward in this season of “Thanksgiving,” may we all choose gratitude daily — keeping our hearts tender, joyful, and attentive to God’s goodness. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” (James 1:7) Friends, I was over at the thrift store recently and overheard a customer chatting with the cashier as she checked out. The conversation was full of gratitude as she shared how many times she’s been able to find — and afford — beautiful things there. What a blessing for me to hear! One of the goals of Second Harvest is to provide our community with quality (and beautiful!) items at reasonable, affordable prices. Mission accomplished. Of course, there is always more to it, isn’t there? God has been so faithful this past year to remind me how He loves to give us good and perfect gifts, beautiful things if you will. He delights in showing His love in ways we could never imagine. I’ve seen it when a friend texted, “God said this was the one — do it right now,” after an urgent rent request was posted online. I’ve seen it in gifts of household basics and warm coats stacked high in my office for a momma of eight who is starting over with almost nothing. I’ve seen it in a grocery pick-up that fed a family for a week. I’ve seen it in bus passes, appliances, kitchen tables, shoes… and as I type this, my eyes fill with tears remembering each of these moments and how we were able to say, “And also — Jesus loves you.” YOU made that possible. Thank you for being part of the beautiful things God is giving our community — gifts that reflect the generosity of Jesus Himself. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"Call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted. Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth". (Isaiah 12:4-5) Friends, As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I am filled with gratitude for God’s incredible goodness. It is too easy to get caught up in the rhythm of work and forget to pause and thank Him for what He has accomplished. Your partnership in this ministry makes all the difference. Because of you, so many through Harvest Helps have heard that they are known, valued, and loved by God. This month, we want to lift up in prayer these souls who have reached out for support, and we ask you to do the same. We also pause to consider all the members of our community impacted by the thrift store with access to goods at reasonable prices, employment opportunities, and those God-moments of being salt and light in the most completely unexpected ways. Goodness, I love to hear those stories and I pray they keep coming! Your prayers and generosity allow us to continue this vital work of providing grace and love to those who need it most. Thank you for making a lasting impact. Some More Sticky Notes: I am leaving these off this month, because I want you to see this list of names below of people who have been seen, loved, and prayed for! They know Jesus loves them because meeting needs is a beautiful open door for the gospel. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22 (NIV) Dear Friends, Recently, my wife and I completed a study of the Book of James, and it has been a powerful reminder that real faith shows itself through how we live. James, the brother of Jesus, doesn't focus on lofty ideas - he focuses on action . He challenges believers to put God's Word into practice: to speak with kindness, to show mercy to others, and to persevere through trials with joy. Each passage reminded us that faith is not proven by what we say we believe, but by how we live those beliefs out day by day. We were especially moved by James 2:17: "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." That verse brought us back to the heart of our walk with Christ and to the mission of Harvest Youth Ministries - serving others, meeting needs, and sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways. Our study challenged us to make sure our faith is active and visible, not just in our words, but in our compassion, generosity, and willingness to help those God places in our path. At Harvest Youth Ministries, we believe that every act of service - offering a meal, mentoring a teen, or simply praying with someone in need - is faith in motion. Through your generosity, prayers, and encouragement, you make that possible. Whether you've donated, volunteered, or lifted us up in prayer, you are helping us bring hope, love, and opportunity to those who need it most. From our hearts to yours, that you for the part you play in this ministry. Together, we are living out the message of James - proving that faith is alive when it moves, gives, and serves in Jesus' name. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, NIV) Dear Friends, When we think of forgiveness, it is easy to picture small slights-someone cutting us off in traffic or speaking a careless word. But the gospel calls us to something far greater. A striking example of this is Erika Kirk, who made headlines yesterday for extending forgiveness to the man who murdered her husband. Her response shocked many, because forgiveness is not about excusing wrongs, but about entrusting justice to God. Forgiveness does not deny the pain or diminish the loss; instead, it opens the door for God's healing presence to enter. As Jesus Himself taught, " For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14, NIV). At Harvest Youth Ministries, we often meet young people who carry wounds of betrayal, rejection, and loss. Stories like Erika's show us that no hurt is beyond God's redeeming love. As we walk alongside those we serve, we point them to the Savior who forgave His executioners and offers that same grace to all who call on Him. May we all be known as a people who embody this radical forgiveness - in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities. In doing so, we shine as living witnesses of the transforming power of Christ's love. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV) Friends, When I hung up the phone with my new friend Ashley the other night, I knew I wanted to tell you all about her. With her permission, I’m sharing a bit of her story. Ashley lost her job as a caregiver after an injury at work and spent the next year and a half homeless—part of that time living out of her car, the rest at a local shelter. Eventually she was placed in housing, and a local church group helped cover her first month’s rent and deposit. She told me she had been earning income through DoorDash and Uber, but with her car broken down she hasn’t been able to work. She also no longer has transportation to her medical or counseling appointments. Later in our conversation she mentioned that her food supply was running low. She could have listed many other needs, but one statement really stood out to me: “I don’t like asking for help but right now in my life I just needed to work for help so I can get back up on my feet.” (sic) What Ashley asked for was simple—a bus pass. With a bus pass she could get groceries and attend her appointments. It would give her flexibility with employment. Transportation would help her meet her own needs and regain independence. We “met” via Zoom for the first time, and even during that conversation she was trying to figure out ways to help another woman experiencing domestic violence. She also referred a friend to us who needed a bus pass. Her heart cares for the people around her. Ashley asked for independence and because of your support, she received that bus pass, prayer, and hope for tomorrow. Thank you! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms A – received a bus pass & independence!! Mr W – received first month’s rent coming out of homelessness! Mr S – received one month’s rent after missing work Ms J – received beds and a couch after resettling after domestic violence! (Sleep in Heavenly Peace donated the beds!) Ms L – received furniture from the thrift store after homelessness! Ms R – received a bed set from the thrift store!  Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby