Harvest's History

In the summer of 1983, six couples and six singles courageously and strategically moved out from a Great Commission Church at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas to plant a student church at Univeristy of Nebraska- Lincoln. Some of the pioneers enrolled in school and some found jobs. They united together and began to reach out with the gospel in their classes, dormitories, and on their jobs. The faithful fellowship began to see students, singles, and couples accept Christ as their Savior and add to the number of believers attending Harvest.

In 1988 the two pastors decided to accept secular employment outside of Nebraska to provide for their families. Many of the members at that time choose to attend other evangelical churches around Lincoln. That spring, the Harvest family was without any formal leadership. One couple and a few singles kept the vision alive for a strong, growing, and multiplying church in Lincoln.

Then in July of that year, a car load of brave singles moved from the Great Commission Church in Ames, Iowa to labor with the church here. The total was about 15 singles/students attending Harvest that summer. They were not many, but they were faithful. The church grew steadily as this band of volunteers labored for Christ.

In the summer of 1991, Harvest was able to afford a full-time pastor again. The fall of 1994 was another milestone for Harvest when Jim was recognized as our full-time pastor.

In 2001, after several years of faithful prayer by many Harvest members, two staff members from Iowa State decided to move to Lincoln to plant a Rock church on the UNL campus. Others joined them from Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Omaha. They spent their first summer building an addition on a house to create a place that has become the ministry center for the Rock team. This group of young people is now laboring hard on two campuses here in Lincoln- UNL and Wesleyan.

In August of 2002, Harvest recognized Ben as an elder. Together, Jim and Ben serve as the primary leadership for Harvest Community Church. Other men and women step up and help serve in various ministries, as well.

Today we see some of the results of the pioneering faith of these young believers! We thank God for their faithfulness. So, if you hear UNL and KSU and ISU cheers every once in a while, now you know why. Harvest Community Church has been and continues to be a united team effort. Each day we rely on the grace and help of our God to reach this generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.