Harvest

by Chuck Smith, Tal Brooke

Gang Members, drug addicts, mental patients, and society’s rejects… Chuck Smith’s amazing story of Calvary Chapel and the unlikely leaders God called to minister His Gospel. Read the exciting story of how Calvary Chapel has grown. Coming from all walks of life, ten Calvary Chapel pastors share how God broke through the barriers of evil, pride, addiction, complacency and anger to carry out His plan for this vital ministry.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Christian Living, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Brian Eshleman]

Amazing testimony to God's ability to draw and use anyone as well as the foundations of the Calvary Chapel movement.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started in the hippy age has blossomed to great heights! God used a man of slow beginnings to trigger such an amazing growth in the body of Christ, growing the church and spreading God's love to the nations. I have been blessed in seeing how they started. But more so by being introduced to a church that I can call family. Not a religion. Not a cult. Not a sect. Not a money-grubbing institution. But a movement, open to the Spirit, and desiring that many others see the freedom found only in a relationship with the ONE true God.

[David Cowpar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great testimonies of the work of the Lord through some strange people to do a mighty work. I love these testimonies and I love Chuck’s insight into what he did that brought the revival in the 60s. Though I don’t believe God repeats patterns, because He likes to be doing a new thing, I think the idea that we would pray that He would increase love within us for the outcasts and rejects of our society has to be a good start at any point in history!

[MrsMJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing testimonies of what God can do in people’s lives when they turn to Him wholeheartedly. Grace, healing, forgiveness, guidance, peace, and the ability to be part of His family, His kingdom, and His work in the lives if others.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Astounding personal stories of God’s redemptive power. Interesting perspectives on church structure/methodology and a very unique time in the history of American culture as a whole and the American church.

[Cindy Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring book! I didn’t want it to end. Very well written.

[Grampy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Harvest” by Chuck Smith is an incredibly inspiring book by the late founder-de-facto of the Calvary Chapel movement. Born out of a heartfelt desire to show the love of Christ to the hippie generation of the ‘60’s, Calvary Chapel has exploded across America and into the rest of the world, by the simple expedient of teaching the Word of God, simply.

Rather than “preach” to the hippies, Chuck Smith and his uber-supportive wife, Kay, opened their hearts and home to the influx of the disenfranchised, demonstrating an open and honest love which ultimately sparked the “Jesus Freak” movement of the ‘70’s. From those humble beginnings, the Holy Spirit moved in miraculous ways to change hearts and lives.

Former drug dealers, gang bangers, fugitives from justice, motorcycle gang members, free sex and drug proponents, and a host of other social outcasts were able to turn their lives around, with many going on to hold home Bible studies which grew into mega-churches under the Calvary Chapel banner. Many who had tried various Eastern “enlightenment” religions, Occultists, LSD advocates, and so on, finally found the inner peace they sought, once they allowed the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.

I realize there will be some who read this review and scoff at my naivety. Others will shake their heads and wonder if I’d be interested in their beach-front property in Arizona. Even other Christians may take a xenophobic stance in favor of their own denominations, labeling the Calvary Chapel movement a cult.

It is not my intention to condemn others. I only know that, while reading this book, I was frequently brought to tears and laughter at the same time; tears, because the awesome power of the Holy Spirit at work is so amazing, and laughter, because of the joy of reading about that power at work in the lives of many who had been written off by mainstream religion and society in general.

Read at your own peril… this book is life-changing, as is the Calvary Chapel movement. The exponential growth of virtually every new Calvary Chapel church facility is all the proof I need to know and fully believe this is not a mere passing fad. This is God’s own truth at work, to harvest lost souls as Earth’s season comes to a close. This I believe with all my heart, and I thank God for leading me to Calvary Chapel, where for the first time in 60 years of attending church, I have felt the abundant blessings of the Holy Spirit in my life.

If any of you are disenchanted with your home church, or not finding satisfaction in your personal Christian walk, read this book, or any others by Chuck Smith. You will thank me in heaven someday!

[Claudia Wuelfing]

I was given hope in reading this book. Reading how these men who now because leaders of a Church had a life of crime, drugs, hopelessness and God turned their lives around and used them to lead! I pray for my husband and reading this book made me realize again that it is in God's timing and we do not know his will. We all have our own walk, I myself was in the wilderness for over 20 years.
I highly recommend this book for everyone but especially men since it is focusing on their lives.
I heard there is one written for women and I am searching for that one. If anyone knows what it is called please let me know.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was very good and pretty eye opening. I'm a new christian with a messy past - and have been hesitant around "normal" christians. But this is a story about a bunch of really messed up people that turned it around in the 60's and started churches that weren't made for "do gooders", just "everyone". Helped me to get over my "normal" christians thing, and realize that no christian is perfect. Good redemption stories here, for christians and non-christians alike.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was eye opening and exciting for me to have a better understanding of the culture during the Jesus Movement and its impact on people at the time. I loved reading brief, but insightful accounts about the power of God's love through people to help change people. The history and real movement of God by His Spirit at the time was incredible.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Smith is the founder of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. This book has the personal testimonies of some Calvary Chapel pastors. If you like anything about Calvary Chapel, or CSN (Calvary Satellite Network) you should like this book. Not your typical "testimonial" book.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real eye opener...rethinking my life plan!!!

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to hear the great testimonies of pastors, and how God transforms

[Melanie Brunner-Monton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe you are too "messed up" or that the Lord would never want you or couldn't use you, read this book!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the beginnings of Calvary Chapel and how the Holy Spirit moved through the lives of several ordinary, broken men to reach the lost with His Gospel.

[Hecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read on the transitional nature of human lives..

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing is impossible with God......even for an addict