The senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, Greg Laurie began his pastoral ministry at age 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people. Since then, God has transformed that small group into a church of some 15,000 people. Today, Harvest is one of the eight largest churches in America, as well as the third largest in California.
About Harvest Christian Fellowship
Knowing God and Making Him Known
The foundation that Harvest began building on over 30 years ago is the same foundation it stands on today. Harvest's buildings look different, its music sounds different, and its methods of ministry even are different. But one thing hasn't changed, and that's Harvest's commitment to knowing God and making Him known.
"We sought to build Harvest Ministries on the formula that the believers of the first century followed in Acts 2:32–47, 'And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved'," says Pastor Greg Laurie. That vision of the first century church helped Harvest Christian Fellowship build a vision for the 21st century church, which is summed up in these words: "Knowing God and making Him known."
Harvest's beginnings were humble. There was no great strategy behind the church plant. Harvest's pastor, Greg Laurie, was a nineteen-year-old hippie who had never pastored a church. Its congregation was a small group of believers looking for hope. But what nineteen-year-old Greg Laurie lacked in experience, he gained in knowing a few biblical principles.
Today, God continues to work through Harvest Christian Fellowship. "Looking back," says Pastor Greg, "I can see God's hand at work from the very beginning. It has always been a part of God's plan for us to know Him and make Him known. I encourage you to do the same."
