As the congregations arrived at the rented facility in Bridgeport, CT, the sounds of the Faith Mountain worship team warming up came through the doors! Once seated, the special “Joint Choir” from Gospel Light and Good News congregations were at the front, warming up their voices for the meeting! And so began our Saturday afternoon at the 9th Celebration of the Harvest Fellowship of Churches, and we were thrilled to be there!

HFC congregations from NYC, ME, MA, and Eastern and Central PA were gathering for this marvelous occasion!
Everyone arrived with an obvious sense of excitement, ready to celebrate Jesus and His had wonderful Presence among His Church. From fourteen HFC congregations the leaders and congregants met, worshipped and honoring the Lord Jesus!

From multiple testimonies of God’s grace and power, we heard examples of the Lord’s gracious work, including conversions and baptisms, congregational growth, and of the miraculous provisions for such ministries as VBS! Five Pastors and one Deacon shared of their congregation’s victories, goals and prayer requests.

Pastor Leonard Burkholder shared about the four Anabaptist Native Fellowship congregations –– located in AZ, NM and Canada –– and the exciting news of growth and outreach ministries taking place among them! And we also enjoyed the presence of about 20 members of the Koinonia Fellowship of Churches, led by Bishop Lawrence Chiles, who drove up from the Philadelphia area! What a joy it was to have these guests worship and celebrate with us and to hear words of encouragement from Bishop Chiles!

Bishop Henry also shared a very challenging message entitled, “Advancing God’s Kingdom: Wake Up, Watch & Pray.” Bishop Henry highlighted the deep sense that many Church leaders are echoing across the nations, which is the high degree of crises taking place across America (both natural and man-made), such that our awareness and sensitivity to Christ’s return must be increased and we intentionally and diligently “Wake up, Watch and Pray!” (Please see Rev. 3:1-2 and Matt. 24:12-13.)

Upon the conclusion of the meeting we all moved to the fellowship hall for a spectacular meal of delicious ethnic foods, topped off with a lovely Anniversary cake, all generously prepared and served by the four local CT congregations: Lighthouse Fellowship Church, Gospel Light Community Church, Beacon Of Light and Good News Christian Church. Delicious!

And as Bishop Henry so often declares, “To God be the glory!”

(Note: please see additional photos at the HFC website found at the “Photo Gallery” menu. The photos were taken by Mary Ann Lee, from the Boston Chinese Church of Saving Grace. Thank you so much, Mary Ann.)

By Pastor Darrell Minnich

ON THE ROAD … JAN and FEB, 2012

ON THE ROAD, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, 2011

ON THE ROAD, JULY AND AUGUST, 2011

ANF Overseer

Phone: 717-445-4597
Home Address: Box 156
1254 Reading Road
Bowmansville, PA 17507
Lamburk@ptd.net

What a joy it was worshipping together under the leadership of Esther Metzler and members of the FCC congregation; to hear an exhortation from Sister Millie regarding 1 Corinthians 12 and serving one another with our spiritual gifts; to receive Bishop Henry’s extended teaching on “Drawing Near to God;” to hear (and celebrate!) thereports from each of the congregations; to be blessed by the special music sung by the members of Pastor Lawum Kayamba’s congregation (right) from Portland, ME, the Disciples International Church; and to eat the delicious meal prepared for us all by the FCC members under the direction of Dale and Betty Morrell.

It was equally delightful to fellowship with such a variety of nationalities (Chinese, Congolese, Hispanic, African American and Anglos), knowing that we all have the same Lord and Redeemer and we all share the same faith.

All of these aspects of the Day were possible because of the service and labor of many! We offer a very special “Thank You,” however, to Pastor Glenn Metzler for inviting us to the FCC location and for organizing the event with such excellence!

We also want to thank Bishop Henry and Millie for all they did in making this day such a blessing. After all, they had to drive the greatest distance (10 hours each way!), they prepared the spiritual input for our hearts and minds, and they strongly encouraged us in our faith and in the Lord Jesus Christ. As previously mentioned, Bishop Henry shared on the importance of our “drawing near to God” regularly and with intentionality.  He highlighted the wonderful benefits to our lives that this spiritual discipline brings.  His message was a timely and significant exhortation for each of us, for which we express our sincere gratitude!

Finally, the annoucement was made regarding the upcoming Ninth Annual HFC Anniversary Celebration which will be held in teh Bridgeport, CT area on Saturday, October 22, 2011.  We hope everyone will make a special effort to attend this event!

(Note: Please see the ‘Photo Gallery’ for additional pictures of this event!)

ALL  GLORY  TO  GOD!

In the love of Christ Jesus,

Darrell Minnich

Pastor Loren and Veronica Johnson

At The Cross Christian Community

Phone: 505-368-4831
Address: P.O. Box 533
Shiprock, NM 87416

Pastor Wallace and Elizabeth Detwieler

Morson Community Bible Fellowship

Phone: 807-488-5620
Address: P.O. Box 132
Baudette, MN 56623-0132

Pastor Russ and Cindy Toews

Bacavi Community Church

Phone: 928-734-6630
Address: P.O. Box 711
Hoevilla, AZ 86503

rctoews@gmail.com

Pastor Daniel Smiley

Black Mountain Mennonite Church

Phone: 505-947-6674
Address: P.O. Box 2835
Chinle, AZ 86503