Harvest
HARVEST is a ministry of Central Presbyterian Church. Its mission is to share the love of Christ to the international "harvest" God has brought to St Louis, by connecting with, serving and maintaining relationships with new refugees in our area. Harvest partners with New City Fellowship-south in this ministry. We meet weekly for prayer.
.... I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, sick and you visited... when you did it to least of these... you did it to me. (Matt. 25: 35-40) For the Lord…executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien. (Deuteronomy 10.17-19)
For more information about the Bhutanese/Nepali refugee community and CENTRAL’S HARVEST please see our blog at: centralsharvest.blogspot.com and come learn, serve, and be a friend through the love of Christ. If you want to learn more, we welcome your questions.
Story of Forgotten Refugees (Bhutanese Refugees)
The Harvest’s present focus:
1.Providing Immediate Physical needs while relationships are built and strengthened:
- By transporting refugee friends to Oasis international farm where they can plant, maintain and harvest vegetables. (Approximately 2 carloads/week participate)
- By delivering vegetables donated by local wholesalers, to contact points in the community (weekly during the winter months)
- By delivering donated furniture to and welcoming new refugees and immigrants. (The Harvest Furniture Delivery Team is made up of 4 Central attendees and friends)
2. Short Term opportunities provided for Central members to connect with refugees, and welcome strangers to build relationships:
- WORKDAY-One Saturday each month, New City Fellowship south and Central Harvest organize service projects to assist refugees, widows and poor. This ministry provides an opportunity to establish relationships and to show Christ’s provision.
(Approximately 15-20 Central members attend monthly)
- Personal Invitation-Sara and Deb regularly invite Central people to make home visits, take people to the farm or to pray with us about this ministry.
- Visits are made to welcome new refugees and new babies born in St Louis.
(Women’s Ministries makes Layette packages and quilts which are shared when visits are made/approximately 6 in the past 4 months)
- Summer opportunities for “local Missions” this year include; children’s tutoring 3 days/week, women’s refugee Bible Study and weekly Oasis farm visits
3. Long term opportunities for building relationships and teaching about Christ:
- Bible Study for teenage girls meets weekly at New City Fellowship South. This study involves picking girls up weekly and meeting with small groups 2/month.
(this study is led by Deb Sommer and several seminary students with about 12-20 attendees a week)
- Tutoring for children at New City Fellowship is 3 times/week. Each tutoring session begins with a short devotion. (6 Central members tutor weekly)
____________________________________
For more information about Central's Harvest:
Sara Kramer:
Deb Sommer:
Follow us on the Harvest Facebook Page
"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 3:19); "...I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, sick and you visited... when you did it to the least of these...you did it to me." (Matthew 25:35-40)
