A New Harvest in Raleigh, North Carolina
All this week I am featuring posts written by our future Harvest Bible Fellowship
church plant pastors. I’ve asked them to tell us a bit about who they
are, where they will be going, and to share their hearts as they move
forward in obedience to God’s call. Up next is Mike Willis, who is planting a Harvest Bible Chapel in Raleigh, North Carolina…
“People all over the world are flocking to Raleigh. With 1.5 million people, it’s the fastest growing city in the United States. The Raleigh metro area enjoys diverse industry, three major Universities, a four season climate, and proximity to the ocean and the mountains. And though it has plenty of ‘churches,’ Raleigh is lacking when it comes to true disciples of Jesus Christ.
I was born and raised in Raleigh. I went to college in Raleigh. I know the people that make up Raleigh. Most importantly, I know God’s heart for Raleigh– “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every heart confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). God has called me to plant a church in Raleigh to proclaim His grace and to promote subsequent Christian growth through true discipleship to Jesus Christ.
Many in Raleigh call themselves Christians, but few could actually be called “disciples.” Many in Raleigh expect Heaven to be their eternal home, yet Christ will say to many of them, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Many in Raleigh think they are saved because of their moral upbringing, their inferior man-made justification, their good yet imperfect deeds, their (consumer) membership in a church, or their (merely mental) belief that Jesus is Savior (which demons also have, see Matthew 8:28-29; James 2:19).
Jesus commissioned His disciples to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). The disciples responded in obedience to their resurrected Lord. Churches were planted as a result of, and in order to proclaim, Christ.
Disciple-making must continue today by planting churches. True disciples of Christ proclaim God’s Word, exalt Christ’s name, pray expectantly, and evangelize boldly. Raleigh needs more true disciples. Therefore, Raleigh needs disciple-making churches!”
For more information about the new Harvest Bible Chapel in Raleigh, visit http://harvestnorthraleigh.org, or send e-mail to info@harvestnorthraleigh.org.