About
History
The Beginning
In 1990, at a retreat of Ephrata Community Church God spoke very clearly through a prophetic word that “in the fourth year, I will pour out my Spirit.” The church had just adopted the ancient church of Antioch as its model, and the prediction of an outpouring of the Spirit took on a call to prepare for harvest. So the elders of ECC, agreeing that this was from God, concluded that by 1994 they should begin to prepare for Harvest.
Church Planting
In the spring of 1994 ECC planted its first sister congregation, Covenant Community Church, in Centerville, PA just 30 minutes from the home church. HarvestNET was born out of a desire to foster a partnering relationship between the two congregations. Barry Wissler continued to provide guidance to Ken Keim, the founding pastor of the new church, and ECC continued to provide other resources to strengthen the flock there.
In 1997, another prophetic word confirmed the role of ECC as a “resource church,” and the next year two more congregations were planted in nearby towns of Willow Street and Palmyra.
The Network Grows
As the tiny network grew, God also added others in a variety of ministries. Other churches asked to link with the network as partners as well. Also, Ephesians 4 ministries like Prophets and Evangelists also sensed a call to link for the sake of teamwork in the Harvest.
The Apostolic ministry of Alan Vincent confirmed the work of HarvestNET in 1999 as Alan began to assist Barry and the elders of ECC in refining their focus as a regional equipping church. Alan continues to provide apostolic input not only into ECC but also into HarvestNET as a movement. Marc Dupont also serve as a prophetic advisor to HarvestNET.
Today
Today HarvestNET includes not only churches planted by partner churches but others who have felt the call to link as partners because of shared vision. Various churches and Ephesians 4 ministries have found connections within the Body of Christ through HarvestNET. Our desire is to also encourage and maintain multiple connections among established networks, denominations and regional pastors groups.
