A Record Year at the 40th Annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger

 

[October 29, 2023] 

The Harvest of Talents ministry of Lincoln Christian Church (LCC) celebrated a milestone and a new record on Sunday morning at LCC.

The 40th annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger raised a record $127,019.21 during this year’s Harvest fundraisers.

The funds from the 2023 Harvest amount bring the 40-year total to $2,890,671.16 raised for disaster relief and hunger elimination around the world.

The Harvest of Talents for World Hunger was founded by Pat Snyder 40 years ago after listening to a sermon about the problem of world hunger by then LCC preacher Gene Shepherd. Her response to the sermon was, “So what are we going to do about it?” and the idea for the Harvest of Talents was born. The Harvest of Talents was created with the belief that every person has a gift or a talent that can be used to help others and to glorify God. “Harvesting” these talents by providing opportunities for people to volunteer and to donate their time, creations, and resources is the core of this ministry.

All money raised on Harvest day (the fourth Saturday of October) and other Harvest of Talents events throughout the year goes to International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), based in Noblesville, Indiana whose five main Focus Areas are evangelism, disaster response, hunger relief, community development, and medical care. One hundred percent of the Harvest of Talents donations then go to these priorities both in the United States and in countries around the world. No money is kept by either group for administrative expenses; All goes to help and support people in crisis situations. The mission of both ministries is to meet physical and spiritual needs and alleviate physical and spiritual hunger throughout the world in Jesus’ name.

The announcement of this year’s total raised was part of the Sunday morning services at Lincoln Christian Church, which were led by the staff of IDES.

After a welcome from LCC preaching minister Ron Otto and a prayer offered by IDES Spiritual Care Director Gary Finley, a video featuring Harvest of Talents team member Angela Rogers (and ministry partner who distributed IDES aid while a missionary in central Africa), Pastor Otto, and founder Pat Snyder explained the origin and purpose of the Harvest of Talents and the work of IDES. Following worship songs led by IDES staff, Jeff Greene, Advancement Director of IDES, offered the Communion Meditation. He told the story of an IDES ministry partner in India who faces persecution for his faith yet still serves his community and distributes food to those faced with hunger. Nancy Jett, wife of Rick Jett, Executive Director of IDES for many years who passed away earlier this year, offered insights into the IDES ministry via video. She stated that “tragedies create opportunities for ministry.”

The highly anticipated announcement of the amount of money raised from this year’s Harvest of Talents came midway through the service. Harvest director Carolyn Neal presented a fish-shaped coin bank like those distributed to LCC children to IDES Executive Director David Stine as a symbol of the efforts to train children in giving and caring for those in need so that the good work of the ministry may continue. The announcement of the record funds raised this year was met with great joy and the singing of the Doxology which begins with the words, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” The announcement was tempered with sadness as Neal remembered founder Pat Snyder who passed away suddenly in August, but felt confident Snyder was rejoicing in heaven and meeting people who had been helped by the ministry she started.

Stine delivered the morning’s message and provided an overview of the Harvest of Talents partnership with IDES and of IDES’ ministry. He remarked that the first Harvest of Talents 40 years ago raised $17,204 which, adjusted for inflation, would be $51,000 today. The Harvest “did not start as a trickle, but with full-steam from the beginning.” IDES’ goal from the beginning has always been to address long-term hunger and, therefore, it feeds hungry people in some of the most desperate places. In 2023 alone, IDES has provided over 12 million meals around the world and kept many people from starving.

Stine pointed out that the Harvest of Talents has not just grown in size as a ministry but has also birthed other Harvests at other churches when people have visited LCC’s Harvest day and taken the idea home to their own congregations. The combined total raised of all Harvests is close to $6,000,000. Just this year over 255,000 people have been impacted by funds raised through the Harvests of Talents. IDES uses the funds to care for physical needs and aims to create a spiritual hunger for God.

Pastor Otto closed the service with a prayer of blessing for all those who will receive funds raised by the Harvest of Talents. The next Harvest of Talents event is a Cookie Walk on December 9 at Lincoln Christian Church, which will begin the fundraising efforts for the 41st annual Harvest scheduled for October 26, 2024.

[Stephanie Hall]