Four years ago, a group of pastors began dreaming about what it might look like to create an online ministry training program that was affordable, accessible, and effectively equipped those God was calling to greater ministry with a solid biblical and theological foundation while emphasizing practical mission and ministry instruction. After all, if we were ever going to plant and revitalize churches, we needed to invest in developing more mission-minded leaders. These conversations eventually led to the Texas District’s most ambitious project to date: Harvest Workers!
The program we set out to develop was not intended to be a seminary. Instead, we envisioned a ministry training program for those for whom traditional seminary might not be affordable, accessible, or the best fit. Harvest Workers actually inverts the emphasis of most seminary programs: instead of emphasizing academic studies in Bible and theology while providing a basic introduction to practical ministry, Harvest Workers introduces students to biblical and theological studies while diving more deeply into a wide variety of practical courses in mission and ministry.
Since the program is online and on-demand, there are no semesters or pre-scheduled class times. Students access courses through a personal online classroom portal and meet with their faculty one-on-one for four video conference sessions. There are quizzes, papers, projects, and lots of reading as well as video lectures, as one might expect. This online, on-demand delivery is what makes the program especially unique, allowing students to work their studies into daily life.
Certificate students from the Texas District pay a subscription of $165 a month for their tuition. We encourage congregations to partner with interested students by providing partial scholarships. St. John, Thrall has also established a scholarship fund in memory of Jon and Kathy Bielfeldt and contributions to this fund are welcomed from individuals or congregations. To make an online contribution, go to www.harvestworkers.net/support-harvest-workers.
Harvest Workers is not the only answer to the church’s need for pastors and ministry leaders, but it is an important part of our effort to better equip women and men for the Kingdom ministry to which God is calling them. Whether these students become contract pastors, church planters, youth or children’s ministers, care ministers or just better equipped church members to serve in their own congregations and communities, I am excited to see the growth and development in each student.
We currently have 21 students enrolled in our certificate program and more than two dozen others have participated in taking individual courses as audit students or as a part of a church group. If you are interested in learning more about Harvest Workers, whether that is starting a group course at your church, auditing a class of interest, or becoming a full certificate student, I would invite you to check out our website at www.harvestworkers.net and reach out to start a conversation about how Harvest Workers may help equip you and others in your church to answer God’s call to greater Kingdom ministry.
