Harvest, every Christmas Eve, we will take a special offering (2 Corinthians 8:1-11). I’m excited to announce to you that the accumulation of our financial gifts this Friday night will go toward the critical ministry of Harvest Glasgow, Scotland. Pastor Scott Hamilton (not the US Olympic skater) and I trained for 6-weeks together in Chicago in 2008. He and I would impersonate one another’s accents. He’s a good friend and an incredible pastor. Below the embedded video is a description of their church and their needs in order to accelerate ministry effectiveness even further in 2011. Let’s “excel in this act of grace.”

The entirety of the offering on Friday night will go to Harvest Glasgow. Make checks payable to “HBCNR” with the memo to “Harvest Glasgow”. If you will not be with us on Christmas Eve and want to give, mail your check to HBCNR, PO Box 98384, Raleigh, NC 27624. You will also have opportunity for year-end giving for our ministry. More details to come on this.

"Empty" - HBC Glasgow 1st Birthday - video testimony from HBC Glasgow on Vimeo.

August 16, 2009 Harvest Glasgow Scotland launched. Since their first day, they have met at the University of Strathclyde Glasgow. Having started with 30 people, God has grown this worshiping body of Christ-followers to now 100. The city’s motto once was: “Lord let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word and praising thy name.” Now, today it is shortened to just “Let Glasgow flourish.” This once God-fearing land has become a dry and thirsty ground. People reject a One True God and hearts are hard. The soil that once was fertile and bearing fruit is now like rock.

But, the Word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed and on full display again. The church chose the city centre and the university campus to shine an everlasting light. We are seeing lives awakened and eyes opened, to the glory of our God.

While reaching a new generation for Christ, needs exist today in the church that they cannot meet alone. An office space is needed. Also, a sound board, video camera, increased video editing/graphics software, lighting and digital media resources are needed. This generation that never lived hearing the previous city motto can be reached more effectively with a permanent church office and increased audio/visual ministries. The pillars of the church must come alive and presented in a relevant way to this generation who so desperately needs to hear that a child was given and a Kingdom is to come.

One recent happening has been a ministry called Connect. Meeting in the evening at Creation Studios acoustic café, a secular place where metal-heads meet up. The worship team from Harvest sings of the riches of Christ and then teaching is coming from the gospel of John. This public pub/café was open to having the church meet there in the evenings because of the quality of sound coming from the worship team. What God knew is that the sound was not the main thing, it was the message that would come! The message is being proclaimed w/ boldness and people are taking notice. God is confronting young people with the truth of the gospel, so that no one is without excuse.

Pray… pray that God would open new doors for effective ministry.
Pray that God would provide finances for an office space so the church could have a permanent presence in the heart of the city to reach students, the urban rich and urban poor with the good news of Jesus.
Pray for lost to be saved and true disciples made.
Lastly pray for effective mutual ministry and multiplication of leadership at Harvest Glasgow.

There are many spiritual and physical needs for healing as a result of a generation walking away from the Lord. Pray that the Healer, Our Great God, would restore, renew and deliver people through the preaching of His Word and praising of His Name again in Glasgow.

Thanks for your partnership in this ministry!