Next Steps
So What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?
There are many important questions we are presented with in life. The biggest of all however relates to our eternal destiny. Where will we spend eternity, if there is one at all? All faiths seek to answer this question.
Apart from biblical Christianity, the basic answer offered by world religions, cults and sects, is that you must DO something to gain eternal life. Through a series of works and regulations, a person must “outbalance the scales” between their good deeds and their bad to impress the divine. Yet the Bible offers a different answer. There we encounter the startling truth that we can never do enough to impress God.
The only way to gain the assurance of eternal life is to place your full trust on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to save you. Jesus was and is fully human and fully God. As man, he sacrificed his perfect body for our sins by dying in our place. In doing so, he appeased the holy wrath of God against us. As God, he offered perpetual forgiveness—something only God can do. When a person experiences the grace and love of God, and surrenders his or her life to Him alone, he or she receives the free gift of salvation. That person experiences spiritual rebirth. This sounds simple and hard to believe. We understand that. That’s why we call salvation a work of grace.
Since we can do nothing to impress our way into heaven, Christ did everything necessary on our behalf. Our response must be one of simple faith in his work.
Have you experienced the grace of God through salvation? Do you still have questions? Click the button below to get in touch and to discover more about God’s plan of salvation.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”
Ephesians 2:8
Believer’s Baptism
Why Get Dunked?
You have become a follower of Jesus. And you want others to know about your experience. That’s where baptism comes in! There are a lot of ideas floating around today about what baptism is. And it’s easy to get sunk in the process of trying to figure out what baptism is all about.
What is baptism, you ask?
The word itself was originally a Greek word that was slightly modified into English. It is interesting to note that many centuries ago, the word was used to refer to the sinking of ships. In short, it means, “to go under water, to dip, or to immerse”.
Jesus’ early followers were baptized as a way of demonstrating their partnership with Jesus. Just as he went into the grave and rose again to pay for our sins, so Jesus’ followers were commanded to dramatically show their unity with Jesus by going under water and coming out again as a sign that Jesus died and rose for them.
What Does the Bible Say?
1. Baptism is a commandment.
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
2. Baptism happens in water.
“John had not yet been put in jail. He was at Aenon near Salim, where there was a lot of water, and people were coming there for John to baptize them.” John 3:23-24
3. Baptism happens after salvation.
“On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized.” Acts 2:41
What Else Should I Know?
If you are a follower of Jesus we urge you to seriously consider being baptized as a dramatic portrayal of your faith. Those who are baptized are also encouraged to become ministry partners in our church. Please click below to fill out our baptismal questionnaire to let us know you would like to be baptized. If you have any additional questions, please contact one of our pastoral staff.
Harvest Essentials Classes
Harvest Essentials Class 1
Our Harvest Essentials Class 1 is a great opportunity to be introduced to what we’re about as a church. These classes give a brief overview of our beliefs, 4 pillars, discipleship model and other key distinctives. Classes are scheduled once per month (generally on the 4th Sunday of the month) and take place after the services at 1pm in the Gym. Harvest Essentials Class 1 is a prerequisite for Harvest Essentials Class 2 and Ministry Partnership. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the next scheduled class by registering below!
Children as Ministry Partners
Children between the ages of 11-16 need only attend Harvest Essentials 1 in order to qualify for Junior Ministry Partnership (an unofficial membership that allows them to serve in the church. This membership expires on their 16th birthday). Children aged 14 and older are encouraged to take both Harvest Essentials Class 1 and Class 2 and become official ministry partners of Harvest Windsor.
Harvest Essentials Class 2
Our Harvest Essentials Class 2 provides an in-depth look at Harvest’s beliefs, structure and culture. These interactive classes take place several times a year and are about 2 hours long. Led by our pastors, you’ll find out what it means to worship, walk with, and work for Christ—and how to put those into practice in your life. You will also learn more about the history and priorities of Harvest Windsor, our four pillars, leadership structure, government, philosophy of ministry, practices and how to become a committed part of our Harvest family. Harvest Essentials Class 1 is a prerequisite for Harvest Essentials Class 2. Harvest Essentials Class 2 is a prerequisite for Ministry Partnership. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the next scheduled class by registering below!
Small Groups
We are not a church with small groups, we are a church of small groups.
What Is a Small Group?
At Harvest our aim is to glorify God and His mission of making quality disciples of Christ. We believe this is best accomplished in the context of community, where believers are able to mutually care for and encourage one another in accountable relationships by growing in Christ-likeness through God’s Word, worship, prayer and witness.
Types of Small Groups
Life Groups: Life groups are cross-generational, a balance of male and female, married and singles that meet bi-weekly throughout the year. Our topics of study are aimed at sanctification and growing disciples where we are all on the same journey.
Discipleship Groups: Discipleship groups are demographic-specific small groups that meet as part of the regular ministry life at Harvest. Whether it be children getting together in groups on Sunday, women gathering at weekly studies, men gathering in groups for breakfast or any of a number of other ministry-specific small groups, these groups are tremendous opportunities for spiritual growth. Please visit demographically specific ministry pages for more information on getting involved in these groups.
How Can I Join a Small Group?
Do I have to be a ministry partner to join a group?
Ministry partnership is not required to join a group; however, we would encourage you to learn more about our church and how our small groups work at the next Harvest Essentials class.
What is a Flock Group?
Flock Groups are groupings of 3 or more Life Groups that meet all together 4 times per year for fellowship, worship, preaching, and prayer. Those that join Life Groups are automatically placed into Flock Groups.
Ministry Partnership
What Is A Ministry Partner?
Our church embraces a clear vision, purpose and set of beliefs that drive us. We view ourselves as followers of Jesus who are on a mission to share his message of hope and forgiveness to people who have not had a personal encounter with Him. We have a strong desire to share the message of Jesus effectively with the people in our community. This takes effort and determination but the benefits are out of this world!
Ministry partnership is for people who understand our vision, want to embrace it as their own and wish to join hands with the rest of us to promote and participate in our objectives! Have you connected with us? Maybe you would be interested in partnering with us!
What Do Ministry Partners Do?
- They participate in weekend worship
- They participate in a small group
- They pray for our church and her leaders
- They participate by dedicating their time, talents & treasures
- They promote the objectives of the church
Qualities Of A Ministry Partner:
1. You have placed your faith in Jesus Christ for reconciliation with God.
2. You have declared your faith through believer’s water baptism. If you have not, we can show you how!
3. You have embraced our Statement of Faith, Core Values, Constitution & Covenant. (read more)
4. You have attended Harvest Essentials Classes 1 & 2.
(Form takes 10-15 minutes to complete)
(JMP means Junior Ministry Partner. Form takes 10-15 minutes to complete)
What are the benefits of Ministry Partnership?
Identification
It is a great way of identifying with those who are committed to Harvest Windsor
Input
It enables you to have input into the life of this community.
Involvement
It gives you the freedom to be involved in any areas of ministry in our church for which you are gifted.
Inspiration
You can be an inspiration to others that you partner with.
Work for Christ
You are called to Serve!
At Harvest, we believe that God has called and equipped all believers to minister to one another and serve in the capacity that they have been gifted. This is what maturing disciples do. As such, we aim to provide clear pathways for you to put your faith to work. All those wishing to serve at Harvest must first go through the process to become Ministry Partners. If you are a Ministry Partner and looking to serve, please fill out the form below and select the ministries you are interested in to learn more about opportunities to serve. We’d be glad to get you plugged in!