This past week Harvest House voted to begin an expansion that will vastly expand classroom and office space in the New Hope Education Center. It will also bring the Baby and Children’s Ministry to the Jefferson Avenue location. The shift will increase space for the Baby and Children’s Ministry as well. With these changes, more can be offered to the community. Even with obvious benefits for the community, this decision was not made easily or lightly.
I think that it is appropriate that this major decision was made during Holy Week. Harvest House began on a leap of faith. This expansion shows that Harvest House is willing to continue to make leaps of faith. Faith is not something often associated with public learning institutions. Lawsuits have made headlines as to what can be allowed in our public schools when it comes to spirituality and religion. Therefore, many are nervous to include anything spiritual in school, but would rather incorporate equal spiritual and religious exclusion.
However, I think that it is spiritual fortitude that continues to propel Harvest House. Faith has not taken away all issues and challenges. But, it is the confidence that faith breeds that has allowed Harvest House to continue to grow and change even during tough economic times. This expansion sends a clear message to me: “There is still work to do. There is still more to learn.” No one becomes spiritual just by walking into Harvest House’s doors. It is through spiritual belief that Harvest House is able to offer different things than regular educational providers; we will soon be able to offer free clothing and children’s items, educational programs, and medical care.
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