HarvestNET Equipping Institute

The World of the Spirits

Director — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:01:14 +0000

Have you ever wondered why there is such interest today in movies about witches, demons, vampires, and other-worldly experiences? Humans are created with a spiritual hunger; they will find a way to satisfy it. The enemy provides us with a buffet of choices to fill that need. Through these dark encounters, he bends a person’s worldview away from God.

Many people in their belief systems look for the cause of “misfortune” in life or look for the magical “good luck” charm. From astrology to séances many have sought ways to know the future and answer questions of the afterlife. These belief systems promise blessing, but traps individuals into magical, dark systems that war against the freedom of the Lord.

In this course, you will learn:

Why the renewed interest in ghosts, spirits, and demons?
How people in the world seek protection from evil spirits.
To recognize the symbols of protection and varieties of folk religions
How to grasp the significance of worldview wrapped around fear of and protection from spirits
How “Light to the Nations” through Jesus brings freedom to the captives of spiritual oppression

It is time we learn “…to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isa 61:1b).

Class Info:

When: 3 Sessions – Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, February 13 – 27
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $42
- Married Couple $73
- Full-time Student $21
Registration Deadline: February 6

Instructor:

Bruce Heckman met his wife, Joyce, while serving the Lord in the Middle East. Their nearly twenty years of service in that region equipped them to prepare others for ministry among the world’s unreached peoples. They have given their lives to bring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who have never heard. Bruce is a graduate of Fuller Seminary with a M.A. in missiology with a concentration in Islamic studies. He currently serves as an executive officer with Immerge and gives leadership to its curriculum development. Immerge is a cross-cultural apprenticeship system that prepares people for effective ministry among the world’s unreached. The Heckmans have three grown children.

Immerge is an apprenticeship which exists to equip and mentor people sent out by the Body of Christ for effective team ministry among the world’s unreached. Each apprentice learns to blend personal involvement with unreached people locally, gain from experienced field workers in a mentoring relationship, and draw from training modules designed to formulate mission concepts. The program is designed to develop field workers and greatly reduce the attrition rate commonly experienced in work among the unreached.

Immerge is involved with the refugee and immigrant communities, ministering to their needs and bringing the message of Jesus to the unreached living in the United States.

The World of Islam and other World Religions

Director — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:04:39 +0000

Are you burdened more by the need for God’s Kingdom to expand, or by the news of wars? Focus upon the Kingdom of God drives us to learn how to communicate God’s love. Focus upon world conflict drives us toward fear and its accompanying reactions. Most Muslims have not heard the Gospel. What can you personally do to change that fact? Howe can you build a friendship with someone of a very different background from yours?

Foreign regions were the focus of mission in earlier centuries, in order to take the Gospel to peoples of vastly different religious and cultural backgrounds. Current events have created millions of refugees, shifting populations so that the foreign fields are among us. The call for more workers is still the cry of God’s heart. The church is challenged today as never before with the need for each member to be a vibrant cross-cultural worker, able to share his or her hope in Christ with Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhist background people.

This course will expand our useful tool bag in communicating our faith with many religious backgrounds. The truth of God and His Kingdom needs to be presented in ways that people of other religious systems can understand. The emphasis of this course will be on Islam, partly because of the vast majority of refugees on our doorstep are from Islamic countries.

What will we cover in this course?

How can I build a friendship with someone of a different religious background than mine?
How do people of other religious backgrounds understand God or the Bible?
Who is Jesus in Islamic thinking?
Who is Muhammad in my understanding?
How do I share my faith with people from different religions?
What are cultural and spiritual barriers to the Gospel penetrating a life?
How can I pray effectively for unreached people?
How do I disciple a person from a different background?

Class Info:

When: 5 Sessions – Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, January 9 – February 6
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $70
- Married Couple $ 119
- Full-time Student $ 35
Registration Deadline: December 29

Christian Counseling Topics

Director — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:45:10 +0000

Many individuals find themselves trapped and alone in difficulties and struggles that rob them of a healthy productive life in Christ. Some of these issues are more wide spread than we like to believe, and it can be overwhelming at times to know how to help a person through a difficult time. You can be equipped to assist others as they deal with struggles and be able to come alongside them as they walk through difficult times. This class offers several common topics to empower and equip those leading others into healthy spirit-filled living through the role that God plays in healing wounded individuals.

Thursdays 7:00-9:30pm

January 5 – March 1

Counseling Couples and Families

January 5-26

Dr. James Johnson

(Must preregister for this class. Fee includes textbook.)

Counseling Teenagers

February 2

Jackie Martin

Depression

February 9

Dr. Edward Hersh

Anger & Stress

February 16

Dr. Tom Koch

Fear & Anxiety

February 23

Dr. Tom Koch

Self Respect & Self Image

March 1

Dr. Tom Koch

Cost:

$175 for all 9 nights prepaid (discounted)

January 5, 12, 19, & 26 – Counseling Couples and Families – $95 – (must preregister) (includes textbook)

These nights are $18 each, $20 at the door:

Counseling Teenagers – February 2
Depression – February 9
Anger/ Stress – February 16
Fear/Anxiety – February 23
Self Respect/Self Image – March 1

Registration for individual nights must be made either by phone, 717.733.4071 or mailed in.

Instructors:

Dr. James Johnson is the Director of Upward Call and Shepherd’s Touch Counseling Ministries. He holds Masters Degrees in Social Work from the University of Michigan and Evangelical Theological Seminary, along with a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Eastern Baptist Seminary. An ordained minister as well as a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania, he has nearly fifty years of counseling experience.

Dr. Edward Hersh earned a doctorate degree in Religious Studies from Trinity Seminary and an MA in Human Service Counseling from Regent University. Ed is an ordained minister and licensed by the church. He directs a prayer-counseling ministry near Lancaster ministering to individuals and families. Ed, along with his wife of 30 years, Stephanie, operates Blue Rock Bed and Breakfast.

Jackie Martin is employed as a school counselor by the School District of Lancaster where she has seen countless teenagers caught in the struggle to find meaning in life. Jackie holds a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Lancaster Bible College. Prior to working as a school counselor, she taught in the math field in both junior and senior high schools. In addition to her work in the public schools she has worked with youth ministry, youth in mission trips to five countries, and raised three children.

Dr. Tom Koch has served the Lord in over 20 different countries as a pastor, missionary, professor, and Biblical counselor. He now serves as the director of Tom Koch Ministries, which is a Christian Counseling and Life Coaching ministry. Tom is a certified Biblical counselor, Life Coach and ordained minister of the Gospel. His education includes a MA of Pastoral Studies, Masters of Counseling and a Doctor of Divinity. With over two decades of counseling experience Tom brings unique insight to the counseling ministry.

The Spirit of Elijah

Director — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:07:49 +0000

Elijah was a mighty prophet but he was also one of the great disciple makers of the Old Testament. When Elijah died, his spiritual son, Elisha, could only cry out, “My father! My father!” The Bible tells us that Elisha moved on with a double portion of Elijah’s anointing to accomplish amazing things for the Lord.

In this intensive study we will learn:

The importance of raising up spiritual sons or daughters
Developing the heart of a spiritual parent
Living in the spirit and power of Elijah
How to pass on the anointing to the next generation
The lasting impact of spiritual parenting

Elijah’s life was so effective that the Lord sent John the Baptist “in the spirit and power or Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Today the spirit of Elijah is desperately needed so that we can play our part in preparing a people for the Lord.

Class Info:

Taught by: Duncan Watkinson
When: February 10 & 11, 2012 – Friday, 7:00-9:30pm & Saturday, 9:00am-noon
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:

Individual $37
Married Couple $ 64
Full-time Student $ 18
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 6

Instructor:

Duncan Watkinson and his wife, Vasanti, have been serving the Lord in India for nearly 29 years. They have done this in many ways but always to advance the Kingdom of God. Duncan is involved in a marketplace business, the managing director of a company that is run according to Kingdom principles. They are a spiritual father and mother to couples involved in church leadership, church planting, and Kingdom business. They also operate Mercy Ministries which is involved in children’s work, in orphanages and leprosy colonies. They support microfinance amongst the poor and needy.

Duncan comes with an extensive background in management and leadership having obtained his Master’s Degree in Engineering from Cambridge University, England, and studied Management at Ashridge Management College, United Kingdom. He has traveled extensively, working as an Engineering Manager in Australia, England and India.

Speaking Well

Director — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:43:53 +0000

Did you know that studies reveal the number one fear of Americans is not disease, death or nuclear war? According to most statistics, Americans’ major fear is public speaking. There is something about standing in front of a group of people to speak that unnerves even the most savvy among us. But public speaking—whether it involves preaching, presenting, sharing testimonies or leading small groups—is a skill which can be developed. A necessary skill in this age of information transfer. If we desire to make an impact in the world, the importance of effective communication cannot be overestimated.

This class is designed to help you get rid of some of those butterflies and as Churchill once said, at least teach them to “fly in formation.” It will be a hands-on class with opportunity to put into practice the concepts being taught. You will be instructed in how to prepare and organize a good speech. You will also learn how to incorporate rhetorical devices that work and discover what doesn’t work in order to help your message come across. Classes will include the following topics:

The basics of preparing content and delivery
How to start….and end…effectively
How to use supporting material
The power of the pause and other rhetorical devices
Practice in constructing, delivering and critiquing speeches

Class Info:

Taught by: Becky Toews
When: 4 Sessions – Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, October 20 – November 10
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $59
- Married Couple $ 100
- Full-time Student $ 30
Registration Deadline: October 12

Instructor: Becky Toews

Serving in ministry for over thirty years, Becky Toews has studied the Bible extensively, including tutelage under the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer in Switzerland in 1977. As a pastor’s wife and mother of two, she understands what inspires people and what their struggles are. She is an instructor with Homeschool Academic Teaching Support (HATS) and serves as adjunct professor of English Composition and Public Speaking at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA. She has taught Public Speaking to high school students for the past 14 years and college students for 5 years. Becky has a widespread speaking ministry that includes various women’s conferences, churches, retreats, and university fellowships in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. She also conducts public-speaking workshops at youth conferences and is the author of The Role of Women and her most recent book, Virgin Snow: Leaving Your Mark in the World”.

Becky Toews received her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, and holds an MA degree in Speech from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. She is married to Chip Toews who founded New Covenant Christian Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1982 and remains the head pastor there. The Toews have two grown children. Their daughter, Bethany, and her husband, Alan Wong, are attorneys in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their son, Josiah, attends Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Introduction to Christian Counseling

Director — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:29:24 +0000

Counseling is a broad and growing profession. There are literally hundreds of “schools of thought” that are brought into the counseling arena. Many of the secular approaches may have some merit but they all fall short because they miss the concept of “absolute truth”. Therefore, Christian or Biblical counseling presents something that no other system offers: truth that changes lives and has eternal significance. This class will briefly consider the value of some of the secular views as tools that can be used to present Biblical truth that can bring emotional, spiritual and behavioral healing to lives and draw people into a closer walk with the Savior. Our goal is not to produce “professional” counselors but to help equip Saints to do the work of helping people to deal with the difficulties of life in a Godly and life changing way.

The Counselors Perspective
How to be Qualified and Capable
Cognitive vs. Behavioral Therapy
Know When to Refer
Biblical Truth vs. Good Intentions

Class Info:

Taught by: Tom Koch
When: 3 Sessions – Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, September 29 – October 13
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $42
- Married Couple $ 73
- Full-time Student $ 21
Registration Deadline: September 22

Instructor:

Tom Koch has served the Lord in over 20 different countries as a Pastor (Washington Ave Bible Church), Missionary (BCM International and The Pocket Testament League), Educator (Adjunct Professor, Lancaster Bible College) and Biblical Counselor (Brownstown Christian Counseling, Christian Counseling Assoc.). He now serves as the director of Tom Koch Ministries, which is a Christian Counseling and Life Coaching ministry. Tom is a certified Biblical counselor, Life Coach and ordained minister of the Gospel. His education includes a MA of Pastoral Studies, Masters of Counseling and a Doctor of Divinity. Before entering vocational ministry he served in the US Navy and in a number of leadership positions in the secular business world. With over two decades of counseling experience Tom brings unique insight to the counseling ministry.

God’s Heart and Mandate for Missions

Director — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:54:15 +0000

This first module, Biblical Mission Concepts and Calling, explores God’s word in light of His heart for all nations. Biblical truths require more than mental agreement, these truths draw us into a hunger to know Him and obey His call upon our lives.

The Bible is not a random collection of stories spanning two thousand years from Abraham to Jesus. The mission of God through the Bible needs to be understood, and then applied to our lives. God’s Word challenges us to be transformed and set in motion to live as subjects of the Kingdom of God. His calling is practical, personal, and communal. A practical calling must be lived out. A personal calling requires that we aspire to His heart for the world. God’s desire is to develop a people, a community that reflects His love for the nations. Hunger to obey the Lord is an indicator of His work in our lives.

The transforming light of Christ extended to and blessing every people group in the world, requires daring decisions on the part of His people. The days in which we live require believers in our Lord Jesus to know God in such a way that they are not pacified by either the cultural or religious expectations placed upon them.

What is the call of God on my life?
Is God’s Mission optional for His people?
What does “Light to the Nations” mean to you personally?
How do Old Testament examples of cross-cultural mission form us today?
How did Jesus inaugurate the Kingdom of God?
What is your part in living out the vision of God for the nations?
Register Today

Class Info:

Taught by: Bruce Heckman
When: 6 Sessions – Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, September 19 – October 24
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $84
- Married Couple $ 145
- Full-time Student $ 42
Registration Deadline: September 12
Register Online…

Instructor:

Immerge is involved with the refugee and immigrant communities, ministering to their needs and bringing the message of Jesus to the unreached living in the United States.

Healthy Church Life

Director — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:20:35 +0000

It is for “the church” that Scripture says Jesus died. Wow, Jesus values the church so much that He calls it His “body” and His “bride”. We should endeavor to understand His purposes for this “community of called ones”. This course will examine the marks of a true church, its purpose, health, life, and government in light of Scripture and God’s original intent. We will address what makes a church healthy and what erodes the soundness and power of a local church.

God intends to use the church to extend the Kingdom of God on the earth. It is vital that we understand the purpose and mission of the church and how God wants it to function. We will examine the many traditions, trends, fads, and myths that have arisen concerning the church. Our goal is to see healthy, powerful, biblical and prevailing churches become all that God wills. This course will be helpful to church leaders and new believers alike.

The following questions will be addressed:

What makes a church healthy?

How is the church today like the early church?

What constitutes a false church?

What has been draining churches of their power and effectiveness?

How should the family life of a church function?

What does the Bible say about church government?

What are the enemy’s favorite tricks to weaken the church?

Class Info:

Taught by: Barry Wissler and Jimmy Nimon
When: 4 Sessions – Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 pm, April 23 – May 14
Where: Held at Ephrata Community Church in the lower level
Registration Cost:
- Individual $59
- Married Couple $ 100
- Full-time Student $ 30
Registration Deadline: Registration is not yet open.

Instructors:

Jimmy Nimon is the Executive Director of Gateway House of Prayer, which is seeking the transformation of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions through night and day worship and prayer. Through training in the Scriptures and prophetic insight, Jimmy is dedicated to equipping believers to experience God and do His will. He is a member of HarvestNET’s network of churches and ministries. Jimmy and his wife, Lydia, are the parents of five beautiful children and reside in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. He also enjoys graphic design and operates a web design business.

Barry Wissler is the Senior Pastor of Ephrata Community Church and the president of HarvestNET, a network of churches and ministries. His heart and vision has been to see a shared outpouring of the Holy Spirit enjoyed by many churches in the region simultaneously. Being a student of revivals he gives much of his time to building partnerships for transformation. He holds a B.A. from Geneva College and an M.A.R. in Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. Barry and Cheryl, his wife also minister at pastors and leaders conferences mostly in India and Caribbean.

The Apostolic Church

Director — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:48:01 +0000

How ordinary Christians and churches can advance the Kingdom like the early church….

Where the Holy Spirit is in charge and controls the lives of men and women, there is a compelling sense of being sent. In Acts 13, it is evident that the principal character is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He has aptly been called the “Commander and Chief of Missions.” He will enlarge our spirits and increase our vision. The apostolic anointing always enlarges and stretches the vision of the Church. It breaks the limitations of culture and tradition and launches us beyond our present boundaries whether locally or internationally.

Understand the marks of apostolic people:

A going people
A discipling people
An international people
A faith-filled people
A Spirit-empowered people

Encounter the Master’s passion for sending and impacting the world.

Kingdom Ministry School

Director — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:24:07 +0000

The mission of the Kingdom Ministry School is to teach God’s people to encounter God in their personal experience, empower them with the Holy Spirit in radical devotion to Jesus Christ, and equip them to serve the worldwide transforming mandate of disciple-making in their God-given sphere of influence.

For more information