July 18, 2022
Orchard Group and Harvester Christian Church are partnering to plant a new church in Ferguson, Mo. “The city is hungry for something new, something fresh—but more important, something genuine,” church planter Lenny Brown said.
October 7, 2019
This is a repost of an appreciation for smaller churches from Oct. 15, 2006, written by Ben Merold, who was then serving as senior minister with Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, Missouri. Merold, now in his early 90s, continues to serve Harvester as teaching pastor. (Read our October 2019 issue for articles about challenges facing rural and small churches . . . and possible solutions.) _ _ _ By Ben Merold, Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, Missouri I have a great appreciation for the smaller church. I was led to accept Christ as my personal Savior in a small church.
By Chris Moon Four years into its existence, the Merold Institute is looking toward the future. The ministry of Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Mo., began primarily as a place to help mold the church’s key volunteers and existing and incoming staff—to give them the biblical and theological training lacking in many ministry workers who were unable to attend Bible college or seminary. During its short existence, the institute named for Ben Merold, Harvester’s former senior minister (who continues serving as a teaching pastor), has largely accomplished that goal. Many of the church’s staff and volunteers have earned certificates
December 3, 2017
By Matt Merold Some of the greatest lessons in life are caught, not taught. They”re learned by what is observed in us, not what is heard from us. Sometimes the teacher isn”t even aware that school is in session. I”m not entirely sure if my instructor””my grandfather, Ben Merold””is fully aware of all the ways he”s taught me, in both simple and sophisticated ways. His lessons have gone beyond anything I could ever learn in a classroom. You”re Never Too Important to Take Out the Trash. It was hot . . . Missouri hot! Anyone who had been outside
July 10, 2014
By Ben Merold (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) The best advice I ever received came after I moved to Southern California in 1969, during the peak of a Pentecostal movement in that area. The movement was very sophisticated in its approach and seemed to touch every segment of that society. There were many good things about this, but there were also things that became very divisive to the work of a New Testament church. As a result, I went through a lengthy period of pressure and frustration in my ministry. One morning I accepted
April 24, 2012
By Brian Jobe The growing population of church critics out there disheartens me. I”m not talking about the reform-minded leaders who actually love the church of Jesus and work to make it stronger. I”m referring to the so-called leaders who cloister themselves in a corner and proclaim how horrible the church is. Everybody but them is doing it wrong! As a young leader””and by that, I mean under 40″”I have been around a lot of younger guys who preach the praises of the missional church model. The premise is excellent: We need to be in the trenches, in the communities,
November 2, 2011
By Ben Merold I grew up knowing that the Bible was the Word of God. In retrospect, I consider that fact strange for several reasons. I do not recall reading the Bible in my early life, and my attendance at a Sunday school class or a church youth group meeting was limited to a few short periods of time. I heard very few sermons and remembered none of them, but in spite of these things, I really believed the Bible was the Word of God. Yet, even though I had this conviction about the Bible, it had very little influence
September 12, 2007
By Brad Dupray Ben Merold has been one of the most beloved leaders in Christian churches and churches of Christ over the past half-century. He began preaching in 1948, and beyond leading churches in four states, he has preached the gospel in 47 states and seven foreign countries. He received his education at Johnson Bible College, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lincoln (Illinois) Christian College, and among his many roles of Restoration Movement leadership, served as president of the 1978 North American Christian Convention. Ben has been senior minister at Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, Missouri, for 16 years. He and Pat
September 13, 2006
By Brad Dupray Doyle Roth’s life was dramatically changed June 17, 2004. He and wife Jean were on their way to see friends in Branson, Missouri, when a pickup truck crossed the center divider and smashed head on into their car. Three of Doyle’s limbs were severely broken, and he began a long convalescence that took him to places he had never been spiritually and emotionally. Though he continues to deal with residual effects from his injuries, he has returned to full time service as executive minister with Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles , Missouri , whose members have shown
July 9, 2006
By Bob Williams Planting a church is absolutely exhilarating and undoubtedly exhausting! The associate minister at our church, Bryan Fakes, likes to say, “It”s like trying to drink water from a fire hose.” Church planting can be treacherous. With that in mind, I would like to share some lessons that might help others navigate the terrain. Walk by faith, but keep grounded in reality””Most church-planting types are faith-walking, visionary, risk-takers. Like David, they”re eager to take on giants. That is good. Faith is a key characteristic for lead planters and churches that intend to make an impact. But it is
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
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