A Special Message from Pastor Niel
A Special Message from Pastor Niel
Harvest Is Going Forward
Harvest family,
I want to personally provide clarity about the recent leadership changes and what comes next for Harvest Revival Center.
I Will Continue as Senior Pastor
On Sunday, I announced my resignation as Senior Pastor. I have now agreed to withdraw that resignation and continue leading Harvest.
When I submitted my resignation, the governing support required to relocate our regular services to Englewood was not in place. Because I remained convicted that the Lord was directing Harvest into Englewood, I did not believe I could continue leading the church without the ability to move that vision forward.
Following my resignation, our elders and senior leaders met again to discuss the direction of the church. During that process, two elders chose to step down from their leadership roles.
I am grateful for their time, prayer, sacrifice, and service to Harvest. Significant decisions can bring sincere differences in conviction and perspective, and I respect that. At the same time, those entrusted with leading the church must share sufficient unity concerning its direction in order to move forward together.
The elders and senior leaders continuing in leadership are now united behind the Englewood vision. They asked me to withdraw my resignation and lead Harvest into this next chapter. After prayer and conversations with my family, I humbly agreed.
I will continue serving as Senior Pastor, and we are going forward together.
Why Englewood?
I am incredibly thankful for our beautiful and spacious Brookville campus and for everything the Lord has done there.
People have encountered Jesus, families have found a spiritual home, and lives have been saved, healed, restored, equipped, and sent into ministry. Moving our regular worship services does not erase that history or diminish the sacrifices made at Brookville.
At the same time, our current property sits in a rural area between two communities. Although it carries a Brookville mailing address, Harvest has never truly had a city or community to call home.
The Lord is calling Harvest into alignment with His purposes and sending us into Englewood on a missional assignment.
Englewood is our Jerusalem. It is the community where we will establish a clearer identity, build relationships, reach families, and carry the Gospel into a more populated part of our region.
A Temporary Location and a Step of Faith
The Lord has opened a temporary location for us at:
900 Taywood Road
Englewood, Ohio
This facility is smaller than our Brookville campus and will not meet every long-term need of the ministry. It will require flexibility, creativity, and adjustments in how we use the available space.
However, it is the door God has opened for this season.
This temporary location gives us an opportunity to enter the community, establish relationships, reach people, and learn what our ministry will need in a future permanent home.
We may not know every step ahead, but we know the next step. We are moving forward in faith.
One Unified Congregation
Harvest will move into Englewood as one unified congregation.
We will not operate separate live worship services at Brookville and Englewood. Doing so would divide our leadership, staff, volunteers, finances, and ministry strength between two nearby locations.
My goal is for us to move forward with one heart, one vision, and one direction.
What Happens to the Brookville Campus?
Moving our regular worship services does not mean the Brookville campus is immediately going away.
I remain deeply thankful for this property and everything it has meant to our church family. We will continue to steward it responsibly and use it for appropriate ministry and operational needs, including:
Staff offices
Meetings and training
Ministry activities
Special events
Storage and operational needs
Other approved uses
For the time being, Brookville may also provide a place for individuals to gather and receive the livestream of the Englewood service.
The long-term future of the Brookville campus will be addressed separately as the Lord provides continued direction.
What Happens Next?
Sunday, September 27: Harvest Family Meeting
This Sunday, we will hold a family meeting at our Brookville campus during our regular gathering.
There will be no livestream. I will personally share the vision, explain the transition, answer questions, and provide clarity about the road ahead.
Sunday, October 4: Mission Sunday in Englewood
Instead of holding a traditional worship service, we will serve and pray throughout the Englewood community.
Opportunities to participate will include:
Praying throughout the community
Distributing invitation cards
Completing outdoor work
Cleaning and organizing
Moving equipment
Preparing the facility
Participating in other practical service projects
There will be something for everyone to do as we begin planting our lives and ministry in Englewood.
Sunday, October 11: First Unified Englewood Service
We will hold our first unified worship service at 900 Taywood Road in Englewood.
Additional information about the service time, children’s ministry, parking, transportation, and other details will be communicated before the service.
Moving Forward Together
I understand that the events of the past several days have created questions and uncertainty. I am committed to communicating clearly, leading with care, and walking through this transition with you.
Our continuing leadership team is united.
I will continue serving as your Senior Pastor.
Harvest will move into Englewood as one congregation.
We are thankful for Brookville, excited about the mission field ahead, and confident in the direction the Lord has given us.
This is a new chapter for Harvest Revival Center.
We will continue to find family, discover purpose, and change the world.
I love you, and I am grateful to continue serving as your pastor.
Let us go forward together.
Pastor Niel Petersen
