Church of the Harvest

Who We Are

Discover our heart, our beliefs, and the community that makes Harvest home.

Our Mission

We gather to glorify God, build up one another, and bring the hope of the Gospel to every man, woman, and child.

Our Vision

Strong families passing down real faith, imitating Christ while living authentically as we release hope that brings heaven to earth.

What We Believe

Our faith is rooted in Scripture and centered on the transforming truth of the Gospel. Click any section below to learn more.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is flawless and applicable to our daily lives. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

The Trinity

We believe that God exists eternally in three co-equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit were together from the beginning. (1 John 5:7-8; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Father

We believe that God is the Father and Sustainer of all things. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, and completely Holy. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises. (Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; John 3:16-17)

The Son

We believe that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, is the only way for us to be reconciled to God. For man's redemption, He left heaven and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary. Jesus embraced every human limitation and temptation and lived a perfect and sinless life. He died on the cross and defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have everlasting life. (John 1:14; John 17:1-5; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11)

Holy Spirit

We believe that Holy Spirit is fully God. The Holy Spirit convicts, cleanses, sanctifies, comforts, guides, and empowers us as we enter the kingdom of God as His sons and daughters. He equips believers with God's power to be His witnesses. (Romans 8:9-11; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8)

People

We believe that all people were created in God's image to have fellowship with God. The relationship between man and God was separated by sinful disobedience. Because of sin, all people are under a curse and are in a state of spiritual separation from God. The ultimate result of sin is death. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of all people. (Genesis 1:26-30; Romans 7:14-25)

Salvation

We believe that although all people have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, God has made salvation possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that God desires for all people to be saved. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the only sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts. Salvation is by grace through faith, and grace is God doing for man what he could not do for himself. (Romans 6:23; Colossians 2:9-10)

Eternity

We believe that people were created to exist forever. All people will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in communion with God through forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence: Hell is what it is to be separated from God eternally; Heaven is what it is to be in communion with God eternally. (John 3:36; 1 John 2:23-25)

The Church

We believe that the Church is made up of everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. The Church exists to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ and further advance His kingdom by committing to the teachings of Christ, obeying all of His commands, and carrying the Gospel to the world. (Matthew 16:18-19; Revelation 21:2-3)

Water Baptism

We believe that water baptism is the declaration to the world of our salvation. Through baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We do this as an act of obedience to Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6)

Marriage

We believe that marriage was designed by God and defined in the Bible as a sacred covenantal bond between one man and one woman. (Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5: 22-33)

Meet Our Team

God has assembled an incredible team of leaders passionate about seeing lives transformed by Jesus.

Lead & Executive Pastors

Rob & Shawna Thomas

Rob & Shawna Thomas

Lead & Executive Pastors

Rob and Shawna are both graduates of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. During their time in Dallas, they were on staff with Youth for the Nations summer conference hosting over 4000 teenagers the summer of 1995. For three and a half years they served as full-time youth pastors at Christian Life Church in Rantoul, Illinois. In 1999 they moved to Rob's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee to serve at Church of the Harvest where Rob's father pastored. Over the next 20 years they aided in various roles including youth pastors, worship leader, men's director, women's director, camp directors and outreach directors. In 2019, they were given the position of Lead Pastors at Harvest where they are still serving today. They have three grown children all serving the Lord and serving in ministry, Lauren, Madison, and Aaron.

Pastors

Bob & Ellen Thomas

Bob & Ellen Thomas

Founding Pastors

Dennis Pitts

Dennis Pitts

Care Pastors

Lauren Thomas

Lauren Thomas

Worship Pastor

Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery

Associate Pastor

Ministry Directors

Ashley Levin

Ashley Levin

Children's Director & Parents' Day Out Director

Barbara Nowlin

Barbara Nowlin

Ministry School Director

Charles & Latisha McGee

Charles & Latisha McGee

Outreach Directors

Chris & Nadia Levin

Chris & Nadia Levin

Youth & Young Adults Directors

Christina Knight

Christina Knight

Assistant Youth Director

Donna Howell

Donna Howell

Financial Director

Tiffany Case

Tiffany Case

Assistant Children’s Director

Lay Elders

Charles & Latisha McGee

Charles & Latisha McGee

Elders

Dennis & Laura Cipalla

Dennis & Laura Cipalla

Elders

Dennis & Pam Pitts

Dennis & Pam Pitts

Care Pastors

Jerry & Connie Branch

Jerry & Connie Branch

Elders

Matt & Ashley Levin

Matt & Ashley Levin

Elders

Michael & Kim Guyton

Michael & Kim Guyton

Elders

Robert & April Montgomery

Robert & April Montgomery

Elders

Oversight

We are blessed to be part of a larger network of churches committed to advancing God's kingdom together. Our overseers provide accountability, wisdom, and support as we fulfill our mission.

Dr. Leon van Rooyen

Dr. Leon van Rooyen

Overseer

Pastor Jon Callahan

Pastor Jon Callahan

Overseer

Pastor Phil Buechler

Pastor Phil Buechler

Overseer

Pastor Rick Bennett

Pastor Rick Bennett

Overseer

Philip Smethurst

Philip Smethurst

Overseer

Ministries We Support

We partner with local and global organizations making a tangible difference in the world for Christ.

Missionaries We Support

We are committed to supporting missionaries around the world who are spreading the Gospel and making disciples.

Andrew Branch

Andrew Branch

Overland Missions

Andrew works with Overland Missions and serves with the World Headquarters department. Andrew helps with processing finances, organizing travel, producing online media, and supporting advanced missions training. Andrew also serves in the mission field in Florida through sharing the gospel, edifying the local church, and praying for others.

Alex Branch

Alex Branch

Overland Missions

Alex is part of the Administrative Finance Team at the World Headquarters office in Cocoa, Florida. He helps keep missionaries actively on the field by processing donations, logging designations, and handling all the administration tasks needed on their behalf. Alex also actively travels overseas and to be a part of missionary outreaches.

Gabe Thead

Gabe Thead

Overland Missions

Gabe serves with Overland Missions in Cambodia, sharing the love of Jesus and helping reach people who haven’t heard the Gospel. He works alongside local believers to make disciples and build up the church. Gabe’s goal through his missionary work is to see lives changed and communities strengthened through God’s Word and His love.

Come Be Part of Our Family

Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or looking for a church home, there's a place for you at Harvest.