Harvest’s Seed Projects

Harvest’s Seed Projects

Resource Type: Catalytic ministry opportunity (i.e., involvement in this project could spur a church on toward greater external focus and community engagement)

Main Audience: Smaller or rural churches without substantial financial resources that wish to take first steps in demonstrating God’s love tangibly and practically to the community

Organization: Harvest

Program: Seed Projects

Dates: N/A

Location: Anywhere

Cost: Varies

Website: www.harvestfoundation.org (go to “Materials,” then “Seed Projects”)

Contact: Heather Hicks      

Summary:

Harvest Seed Projects are small, short ministry activities and service projects.  These projects are carried out by the local church, using local resources.  Through seed projects, local churches are demonstrating God’s love in their communities across the globe.  Lasting from a few hours to a day, these short projects are designed to educate local churches and motivate them to serve and minister in their communities. These projects were originally designed for churches in the developing world to take on, but the concept is relevant and applicable for smaller or rural churches in the U.S.

In addition to sharing God’s love with the community, Seed Projects accomplish three purposes within the church:

·         Holistic evangelism and lifestyle – seed projects introduce churches to a lifestyle of holistic ministry

·         Freedom from dependency – since seed projects are local churches using local resources, they demonstrate that the church can do holistic ministry without dependence on outside resources. 

·         Experience and confidence for larger, ongoing ministry – although short, seed projects provide experience in project planning and implementation, equipping the local church for to plan larger projects to serve the community. 

Harvest has several resources available on their website for local churches that are interested in planning Seed Projects in their communities.  The Seed Project Planning Guide explains what seed projects are, their purpose, and characteristics of seed projects.  This guide also includes instructions for planning a Seed Project, including sample forms, checklists, and a report sheet for evaluation upon completion of the project.  In addition to the Seed Project Planning Guide, Harvest has two lessons to help prepare groups to do Seed Projects available to download.  Seed Project stories are also available on the Harvest Website.