Home » About Us » The Support of Harvest
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One of the most frequent questions I receive from believers around the country is “Can you tell me where a strong Bible teaching church is in my community?” When I have the opportunity to support a new church that I know will bless a community through the preaching of God's Word I want to let people know about it. Therefore, I am writing in support of a new church that will open its doors in the Carson Tahoe area this fall, Harvest Bible Chapel.
The senior pastor, John Cox, holds to the same doctrinal commitments I have held to in over 40 years of ministry. John grew up at Grace Community Church and I have been pleased to have known him since he was a child. Being a graduate of The Master’s Seminary John began serving here at Grace and has continued in pastoral ministry for the past seven years. I have personally been blessed listening to John’s preaching myself and his love for the Lord is revealed in his passion for preaching and shepherding the flock of Christ.
I am confident the Lord will strongly bless John’s ministry and I am pleased to do anything I can to encourage it.
Sincerely
John MacArthur
Pastor-Teacher - Grace Community Church
President - The Master's College and Seminary
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It is so exciting to hear how God is using this ministry to touch lives for eternity!
Speaking of eternity, I have found that opportunities to make a significant, lasting impact in God's kingdom only come around every so often. One of those special opportunities is coming your way—to the Carson/Tahoe area on September 19.
If you have listened to Walk in the Word for a while, you have heard me mention my passion for and commitment to church planting. In the past ten years God has enabled our fellowship to plant 45 new churches located in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Africa...and this year we are looking to plant a new Harvest Bible Chapel in the Carson/Tahoe area.
The new pastor, John Cox, has been pastoring for the past seven years. He began ministering with John MacArthur at Grace Community Church in Southern California and continued pastoring in Thousand Oaks, until moving to Nevada. Now we're sending him out for a new work!
Pastor John graduated from The Master’s Seminary in California, and is passionate about the gospel. He and his wife Daisy have two young children. I look forward to seeing how God is going to use this couple!
Recognizing that some already have a church home, I specifically want to connect with those who are not anchored in a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, Christ-exalting church. If you are looking for a church home or want to be actively involved in building a new church, please email Pastor John directly at jcox@harvestcarsoncity.org.
You can also find more information at http://harvestcarsontahoe.org.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
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THE BUILDING OF HARVEST BIBLE CHAPEL CARSON TAHOE
Many people have consistently asked about our plans for planting a church in the Carson Tahoe area and would like to know about the stages and time frames involved in such an endeavor. We have done our best to list below a tentative idea using a harvesting analogy for what is required at each stage of development and a potential timetable involved in each step of process.
With that being said, we believe that prayer and obedience are the key distinctives in this entire process. Through spending time with the Lord we have been led to believe that the Lord would like us to plant Harvest Bible Chapel Carson Tahoe. Each step of the process for the past months has been marked by times of extensive prayer. Jesus Christ is the One who will build His church and we just want to seek Him and continue to be obedient during every step of the journey.
At the same time we believe that having a plan of action is imperative for mobilizing God's people for the purpose of launching the church. While we will not dictate the exact time and ways in which the Lord will work, we will use the following as a guide for our direction. You will notice that each stage of development is filled with challenges and rewards.
If after reading this page you feel compelled to learn more or join our launch team please
contact us or visit our
launch team page.
Seed - Plow to prepare the soil ( May, June)
During this stage we will build and recruit the core group, develop a leadership team, pray, set up finances, and begin the process of incorporation.
Germination - Grow Roots and Shoots (June, July, August)
During this stage, the core group will gather and meet together on a weekly basis (Sunday evening - not Sunday morning) for the study of God's Word, prayer, worship, and planning. A location will be secured, our worship teams will be formed, and members of the launch team will be assigned areas of service based on gifted and need. Greatest focus will on the primary ministries of worship, children's, small groups, assimilation, finances, administration, and promotion.
Emerging Plant - Going Public (September)
During this stage, Harvest will emerge publicly for worship services and extended ministry. The core group will go from a launch team to a church. The current elders appointed by Harvest Bible Fellowship will continue to serve in their capacity for the first year, at which time we will appoint our own elders as a church. All major ministry components will be planned, prepared and ready to go prior to the launch date. These ministries include preaching, worship, children's, small groups, assimilation, administration, and logistics.
Growing and Pruning - Bear Fruit, Expect Pruning, Stick with it!
During this stage, Lord willing, Harvest will begin to grow, bear fruit and multiply. Ministry growth will take place as will the addition of new ministries to help grow and mature disciples. Pruning also takes place in this stage. Trials, challenges, disappointments, and discipline may arise, but ultimately it will strengthen and bring maturity to the body.
Maturity and Multiplication - Multiply, Mature Ministry
During this stage, Harvest will be established, strong, and autonomous in its ability to thrive on its own. The church will become a ministry-giving-ministry-multiplying body. It has deep roots and a resilient base evidence by a deep and growing fruitfulness and the church's ability to endure difficulties. At this point Harvest Carson Tahoe will become a church-planting church.