In the spring of 2001, Harvest Bible began in the heart of Pastor John Lutz. He had a burden for the lost people in and around the city of Lancaster, PA. As the Pastor of Faith Bible Church in Mount Joy, PA, he went on a mission’s trip to Europe to visit several supported missionaries. He also had taken several trips to New York City to work with Pastor Matt Recker in his city ministry. With each trip, Pastor Lutz’s burden for a new outreach grew larger. After much prayer, he approached the Deacon Board of Faith Bible Church and told them of this burden for Lancaster. Pastor Lutz and the board started working on a plan for the transition to occur several months later. These plans included the selection of several seed families to complement the Pastor and his family in the church planting.

On August 22, 2001 the men of the seed families met to form the new church. A name was chosen from a long list of possible names, which led to the naming of Harvest Bible Church. Our key scripture verse became John 4:35 “Lift up your eyes, and look unto the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” As time moved forward, corporate officers were elected to incorporate the church. A treasurer was elected to open a checking account and deposit a gift to begin the new work. A post office box was secured, a cell phone procured, and hymnals were donated. With this and much more, Harvest Bible Church was in the process of beginning with 30 folks. The Statement of Faith was written and work began on the Constitution and By-Laws.

Next on the list, where do we meet? Calvary Fellowship Homes graciously allowed us to use their Assembly Room for our Wednesday evening prayer service. We secured the Keller Inn days before our scheduled opening on Sunday, October 7, 2001. We held both a morning and evening service. We also met at the Eden Resort, the Hilton Garden Inn, and Dayspring Christian Academy in the Burle Industrial Park. 

On Sunday, May 12, 2002, Harvest Bible Church held it’s Charter Day Service with 38 people becoming charter members. God has been very good to us. A big thanks goes to Faith Bible Church for their financial support for our first year, the prayers of God’s people, and God’s provisions to us. We have been able to send a young lady to Taiwan on a mission trip, another young lady spent one summer in Mexico and another summer in Chile, our youth went on a mission trip to Nova Scotia where 5 Day Clubs were held. We attended a summer junior and teen camp in the York area, and have been able to reach out to the Lancaster area with a weekly visitation program.

In 2003 God provided a church building for purchase at 160 Schoolhouse Rd., Lancaster. After cleaning, painting and preparing the building, we held our first service at our current location on the last Sunday in June, 2003. What a joy to see how God provided a permanent place of worship. The downstairs has been transformed into a " Youth Center". This room has been a great blessing to the youth ministry. To God be the Glory!

In 2005 Jon Walters, his wife Tara and son Paton joined the ministry at Harvest as Assistant Pastor in Youth and Music. Jon and Tara have enriched the music ministry and have been a great blessing to our young people. The choir has performed several special programs and sings each Sunday, adding to the worship service. Our young people are active in evangelism, teaching, missions, but they also have fun activities.

Missions has a special place in the hearts of the members of Harvest. We currently support 8 missionaries and send out missions teams each year. Every two years we host a Missions Conference where we are challenged in the area of missions. God has blessed us as we see our young people attend Bible school and prepare themselves for whatever ministry the Lord has for them.