Harvest of Talents
Gerdts named Celebration Sunday Guest Speaker

 

[October 10, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

The Harvest of Talents Ministry of Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln, IL will celebrate its 35th birthday on Saturday, October 27, with a variety of activities and foods, including the Harvest’s signature caramel pecan and cinnamon breakfast rolls. Luncheon fare will include homemade vegetable soup cooked outside in large black kettles, served alongside sandwiches and homemade pies. Featured will be the sale of hundreds of one-of-a-kind handmade items. A variety of activities will be held during the day, including outside musical entertainment. Highlight of the event will be a 2 p.m. auction of quilts, photography, furniture, needlework, repurposed items, jewelry, seasonal crafts and a variety of other handmade items.

On Sunday morning, a check representing proceeds of the 2018 Harvest will be presented to Rick Jett, Executive Director of International Disaster Emergency Service, a Christian organization based in Noblesville, IN., as part of a celebration service to be held in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel on the campus of Lincoln Christian University. In its 34 years of existence the Harvest Ministry has raised $2,239,735.82 to provide food for the hungry in 28 countries, including the USA.

Carolyn Neal, Chairperson for the Harvest of Talents Ministry has announced that former long time pastor of the Lincoln Church, Tom Gerdts, will be guest speaker for the Harvest Celebration Service. Mr. Gerdts was born and reared in Huron, South Dakota, where he attended Dakota Bible College. Upon graduation from there (1976) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ministries, he began a ten-year preaching ministry with the Church of Christ in Martinton, Illinois. While there, he also attended Lincoln Christian Seminary in Lincoln, Illinois, and graduated with the Master of Divinity Degree in New Testament (1982). From 1986 to 2001, he served as Preaching Minister of Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln, Illinois. From 2001 to 2005, he served as Minister of Adult Discipleship in that congregation. From 2005 to 2018, he served as Lead Minister of Rockingham Christian Church in Salem, New Hampshire.

Tom has been married to Karen (Maynard) Gerdts since 1975. Karen is an educator who has served in various capacities as teacher and educational consultant. Together they have five grown children -- Eric (wife Rochelle), Cory (wife Emily), Abby, Haydn, and Brady (wife Emily) -- and five grandchildren.

Tom’s volunteer involvements have included: member of Kiwanis International (about 20 years); trustee of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, now Lincoln Christian University (about twelve years); founding advisor for the Living Alternatives Crisis Pregnancy Center in Lincoln; and board member for the Alexander Christian Foundation of Illinois (about ten years). His hobbies include reading, running and other sports (watching and participating), and enjoying his family.

Gene Shepherd, Minister of the Lincoln Church at the inception of the Harvest of Talents Ministry in 1984, and now retired and living in California, will also participate in the Sunday morning service, presiding over the communion and offering meditation/prayers.

The public is invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. Celebration Service in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel on the Campus of Lincoln Christian University.

[Pat Snyder
The Harvest of Talents for World Hunger]