FOUNDRY EVENTS PART 2-ONE OF THE BEST HISTORICALLY UNIQUE INDUSTRIAL & VINTAGE WEDDING VENUES IN THE HEART OF MUSIC CITY NASHVILLE

Celebrate your dream wedding at Foundry Events in the heart of the famous Music City Nashville!! This high-quality vintage, yet industrial wedding venue has an enchanting historical beauty unique in its southern charm. It is one of the best original venues conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Nashville, only a couple blocks from the lively street of Broadway! Rich with history, the Foundry was built as an original foundry where the Marathon car in the US was forged in 1907, only second in development to the Ford car! The 5,000 sq. foot vintage brick building has a beautiful open floor plan and industrial high ceilings that create an ambiance of endless possibilities for your perfect day!! It boasts lovely original reddish brick with a few distinctive walls of cream mixed in, giving it texture and character intertwined with elegance. Shining rays of natural light stream in through the large spacious windows making it a perfect venue for your wedding photographer to capture dreamy photos!!

One of The Foundry’s specialties is its fully equipped cafe and professional sound system that is available for all events! It offers a wide variety of accommodations, which makes it an ideal space for your dream wedding! Here at Foundry Events, we take pride in creating an exceptional experience and crafting timeless memories for our esteemed guests! We offer affordable prices and effortless booking for your specific needs, whether it’s a rehearsal dinner, engagement party, reception, or ceremony. Your fairytale wedding starts here!! 

This exceptional venue could be the perfect fit for your special day! We are committed to providing you with excellence and helping you create the dream wedding you envision!! If you would like to learn more about Foundry Events, click HERE to read our other blog and how we also have availability for other different events and gatherings! If you are interested in scheduling a walk-through or booking, click HERE! We look forward to connecting with you and bringing your fairytale day to life!!

HARVEST SOUND INTENSIVE PART 2-POWERFUL TESTIMONIES FROM ONE OF THE TOP CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY EVANGELISM EQUIPPING SCHOOLS & RETREATS IN NASHVILLE

COME AND EXPERIENCE an incredibly impactful week at our discipleship training and evangelism-equipping ministry school in the heart of Nashville called Harvest Sound Intensive seeking the face of God to top it off with an amazing like-minded community this May!! Be empowered to live a life that glorifies God, equipped in your God-given purpose, activated in your calling, and encounter the love of God more powerfully! Most of all, get ready to have the best time of your life! Located at Five Star Retreat in the beautiful country just outside of Nashville, the Intensive is hosted by a thriving local church, Harvest Sound! Set aside a week to immerse yourself in the presence of God and be surrounded by a loving group of believers who will support and cheer you on your journey with God! So many life-long friendships and incredible connections have been made at this transforming discipleship retreat! 

Harvest Sound Intensive is a week where you will have an amazing opportunity to be taught valuable lessons and input by experienced leaders and then put into action what you learn! There are 3 different tracks (media, creative, and evangelism) that you can choose to grow in, and also fun and equipping workshops like photography, guitar, graphic design, and art to name a few! Intertwined into the practicals of the week will also be powerful teachings that will empower you to live a life of abundance in God, fun team-building activities, and high praise and worship praising the King of Kings! There are countless testimonies from wonderful students all over the world who have experienced the week of Harvest Sound Intensive! Here is a little power-packed glimpse of what they have been testifying about! 

  One young man said,” I came into Harvest Sound Intensive wanting a deep reverence for the Lord and I left convicted to change my life from encountering God there! There were great and powerful teachings on evangelism and how to walk with God in life!” 

An excited student exclaimed, “God moved! There was so much zeal and hunger for God in the room throughout the entire week!” 

And another student declared, “You will not regret coming! God showed up within the community and we were all like family to each other. I felt empowered to pursue God in deeper intimacy with Him!”  

Someone else proclaimed, “Experiencing the presence of Jesus and stewarding His presence was life-changing! Let your spirit be lifted by being surrounded by people who are running after God with all their hearts!” 

A sweet woman testified, “It was a week of true freedom for me! I developed rhythms and disciplines in my life that I will carry into the world outside of just this week! Being gently pushed out of my comfort in some areas allowed me to grow so much in one week! And I was surrounded by a godly community that sharpened me!” As it says in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 

One man desiring to live a life of complete surrender towards God said, “In simple faith, I laid everything down and opened up my week for God to move in my life. And He did! He called me out of a season I've been stuck in into a new season!”  

A young girl shared, “I had written a letter to God while journaling just before Intensive saying I want to go deeper than ever before with Him, to understand the reality of who He is better!” And then she said, “God sent me to Intensive to answer my prayer letter! 

One thankful man found freedom in a new way that week! Chains of anxiety, fear of man, and anger that had bound him for years were broken off and his identity as a son of God was restored! He said, “I fell more in love with Jesus and felt called out to pursue Him more! I was equipped in how to share my faith with others and also activated in my God-given gifts and talents!” 

If you’re reading this and it resonates within you then click HERE to apply! If you feel like God is asking you to set aside a week to sit at His feet and allow Him to move more deeply in your life, then Intensive is the perfect choice for you!! Come and see God move in a mighty and beautiful way! To learn more about the special week of Harvest Sound Intensive check out our other blog on it too! You can read it HERE!

FIREPLACE NASHVILLE- TESTIMONY FROM WORSHIP AND PRAISE TRACTOR MINISTRY ON THE STREETS BY BROADWAY

Around dusk in Nashville, TN on a Friday at 7 p.m., sounds of high praise and worship drift out to the ears of passersby walking on Clinton Street by Marathon Village. This exclamation of thankfulness and joy towards God happens every Friday night at Fireplace Nashville. Located at Harvest Sound Church, a loving community of believers come together to encounter and worship God, get activated and equipped to share the good news of Jesus, and then go downtown to the street of Broadway and put God’s love into action! Powerful seeds of truth about who God is and his radical love for each of us are sown into hearts searching for fulfillment in the emptiness of the world and not finding it there. Countless lives are impacted by a simple yes of someone’s obedience to the Great Commission, as it says in Mark 16:15, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” From a simple prayer of faith, many miraculous healings have happened, and yet the greatest joy of all is the salvation testimony of the lost being found!  

———-TESTIMONY TIME———-

It was a special night in Nashville at Fireplace in late September and the excitement could be felt drifting in the air! Tonight, not only was a group of believers going out on Broadway to minister and share the good news of Jesus, but the old-time red tractor and trailer were going downtown as well!! A wooden cross hung proudly on the back of the trailer as a couple of strong men loaded up speakers, music equipment, and everything else that was needed to worship God and testify of His goodness and love on the streets by Broadway! As the tractor rolled out of the paved driveway a song of praise could be heard filling the night sky. Little did any of the group singing in the trailer that night know the impact they would have on a certain young girl's life!  

The neon lights beckoned the lonely young girl as she drunkenly wandered barefoot following her family along one of the side streets by Broadway, a half-empty bottle of moonshine in her hand. Loud pulsing music reverberated in the background till it slowly faded into an echo around her, lost in the misery of her life she took another swig from her bottle. Yet this time she found no comfort in it, the emptiness she felt in her soul was only getting worse. Deceiving voices bombarded her as she stumbled on, “Why live? You're not worth loving. Just end it and you won't feel anymore. Do you think anyone would even care?” Trying to numb the desperation flooding through her, she stopped suddenly and looked up in disbelief! Floating down the crowded and noisy street was the most beautiful sound of praise! Hope slowly started to fill her as a group of people singing praises to Jesus came puttering down the street on a vintage tractor and trailer! At that moment, a profound feeling of soberness overtook her, and she felt her world shift. Completely captivated, she stared at the cross on the trailer, its beauty lighting the streets and speaking to the yearning deep within her to know such unconditional love! Something changed inside of her, and she thought, “I want to be with them on that tractor! I should be praising God with them!” Her heart became awakened as she felt the love of God calling her back to Him and in wonder, she surrendered to the peace that began filling her soul. It felt as if Jesus was right there with her, speaking His promises over her life, and she knew that somehow it would all be ok again! 

       After encountering God that night her life became a testimony of redemption and joy! She had unexplainable peace through some hard circumstances she experienced, and yet through it all, she felt the hand of God guiding and protecting her. He became her safe place and a foundation of truth that could not be shaken! One year went by and she felt God asking her to move to Nashville, packing up she said yes and started a new journey with God there! Soon after moving, she started reaching out hoping to find an authentic community she could connect well with. She heard of Fireplace and upon going there she found like-minded people who loved Jesus and were passionate about living their lives for Him! One night at Fireplace, while climbing into a friend's car to go downtown to Broadway to evangelize, she once again heard sweet praise coming from somewhere nearby! There sitting behind the aged brick building of Harvest Sound Church was the very same red tractor and trailer that had radically impacted her life that memorable night one year ago! It was almost time for them to start driving the tractor downtown for another night of bringing praise and worship to the streets! 

As it has been said by one of the Fireplace leaders, “You never know the fruit of your yes, or the damage of your no.” You might never know the effect of the gospel seeds that are sown when praises are sung from a tractor and trailer on a Friday night, or while walking on Broadway asking God to show you who needs a touch of His love that night, but seeds must be sown first so they can start to grow. And sometimes you will have the great privilege of reaping the harvest of that seed! Come join in with Fireplace on a Friday night and experience this firsthand!! Click HERE to hear more testimonies and learn about how you can get involved!

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN HARVEST SOUND CHURCH LOCATED RIGHT IN THE HEART OF NASHVILLE

If you are trying to get settled and would love to have an authentic loving community to experience life with, then Harvest Sound Church would greatly enjoy connecting with you! Located in a historic brick building right in the heart of Nashville in the upcoming area of Marathon Village, Harvest Sound is a thriving church community with a heart to empower and equip believers in their God-given purpose through compassion and anointed creativity! Transforming the culture both locally and globally. Based on a five–year look at data, roughly 85 people move to Nashville in a day, which is really no surprise! The lively city of Nashville has a lot to offer its newcomers! It is ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the country and boasts its unique southern charm proudly. It carries a vibrant culture with an inspiring youthful vibe, and yet it is intertwined with the foundational strength of lifelong locals. Becoming a local and finding an amazing Christian community you connect well with might not be as hard as you think! 

Living with community and friendships surrounding you is a profound experience and so much fun! To be known and loved freely, accepted and valued for who you are, and have like-minded people cheer you on is incredible and life-changing! At Harvest Sound, there are many weekly events that you can get plugged into and be empowered to live a life of abundance! There are nights of high praise and active prayer into specific prayer points, weekly outreaches to the homeless and inner-city community called Meal of Hope, and Fireplace. At Fireplace, which is located at Harvest Sound, there is an incredible coffee bar where you can get delightful drinks, a powerful first set of worship, a brief evangelism training word, and then we go to the streets of Broadway, putting God’s love into action! There are also different Life Groups within the community where you can connect on a deeper level with like-minded people who will support you in your journey with God every other Wednesday evening! Click HERE to see the ones that are open to our church family. At Harvest Sound, the desire is that there will always be an open invitation to anyone wanting fellowship! Special birthday parties, chill hangouts, and fun community events are vitally important to help create the true definition of community, and as some say, appointed God connections happen constantly at those gatherings! Cultivating a culture of celebrating and honoring each other is vital for a group to thrive and live in unity with each other. And of course we culminate the week by celebrating all that God has done by coming together for 10 AM church (9:45 AM for coffee & fellowship time) with high praise and worship and a powerful sermon by Pastor Scott or one of our church pastors, giving us spiritual fuel for the week!

One definition of community is a feeling of fellowship with others, because of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Another meaning of biblical community is where people come alongside each other to grow and mature in their faith, it is an opportunity to show each other and the world at large, the unfailing love of God! From sharing your favorite recipes, playing games together, and praying with each other through the highs and lows of life, having an authentic community in your life is essential to living a life in its fullness! Yet unity does not mean that everyone looks or acts the same, diversity within a people group is a beautiful picture of the character of God and the very intentional way He created each one of us! To learn more about the weekly events Harvest Sound Church does, and if you would like to get plugged in click HERE!! Come experience community and the powerful beauty in it!  

INNER CITY AND HOMELESS MEAL MINISTRY IN THE HEART OF NASHVILLE HOSTED BY HARVEST SOUND CHURCH

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1, open that door” a volunteer calls out loudly. And without failing, willing hands swing open the sturdy wooden door of one of the top churches in downtown Nashville, Harvest Sound. As the door opens a shout of welcoming celebration is heard from the faithful volunteers, who come from near and far, to serve and love the community around them.  It’s exactly 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday as this culture of love in action envelopes the rush of people pouring into the aged brick building on Clinton Street in Marathon Village. Located near Broadway right in the heart of bustling Nashville, the weekly Meal of Hope has been a refuge for many of the homeless and inner-city community since 1998. It was founded by Pastors Scott and Sarah Macleod with the intent of extravagantly loving the poor and broken and bringing hope to the community around them. They are both still very active in being great examples of this! It is not an easy task to keep this ministry thriving so well but thanks to servant-hearted volunteers who have helped through the years it continues to grow and bless many! 

There is a simple, yet hearty meal prepared by a couple of local chefs. The dinner menu often varies, but usually, the basic staples consist of a main hot dish of delicious protein with a side of corn or beans, a fresh salad and dressings, and whole wheat bread. Yet that’s not all, there is also a variety of delectable baked desserts you can choose from! As the guests come through the line and are served their food it is such a beautiful testimony of being the hands and feet of Jesus to your neighbor. In Romans 10:15 it says, “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” It’s the good news of Jesus that breaks a heavy yoke! Dear faces lined with tiredness and the experience of life in its harshness light up as they are valued and treasured for who they are! Smiles burst forth from saddened hearts; and for some, this community within Meal Of Hope is their only family. As they enter through that door, they are no longer alone in their daily struggles. Instead, they have a community that will love them freely like Jesus loved first!  

A highlight of Meal Of Hope is the time created for both guests and volunteers to sit and enjoy their tasty meal together while they share life stories and encourage each other! Then a guest speaker will also share a short testimony or word that God has put in their heart for everyone that night. It is such a powerful time of connection and supporting each other in need. Many, many prayers have been answered from this time of ministry! When vulnerable tears roll from eyes that see a glimpse of hope in the abundant life that only Jesus gives, it is evidence of the heart of God longing to heal and restore. He is so close to the brokenhearted, Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” There are countless testimonies of the love of God redeeming and changing lives at this special meal for the community! 

There is also live music from unique local artists who come and share their talent at Meal Of Hope! Imagine eating your hot meal with friends while listening to beautiful music, it doesn’t get much better than that! Yet it does as a powerful message is shared, the good news is preached, and lives are touched during the ministry time! For some who would never set foot in a church, it becomes their church service and as quoted by one of our beloved guests, “When you walk in, it just feels like home!” It's such an incredible time together and the good news is there is always room for more! Join in and volunteer at 5:00 p.m. on a Thursday and meet a community that will strengthen and cheer you on in life! Come be a part of the family!!  

THUNDER CAMP-ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTIAN MUSIC & ARTS SUMMER CAMPS FOR TEENAGERS IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE

If you have a teenager wanting to experience one of the best summer camps of their life this year, then look no further than Thunder Camp!! Located in the beautiful countryside about 30 minutes outside downtown Nashville, Thunder Camp is an evangelism and leadership camp that combines a passion for the creative arts, community, & learning about Jesus with lots of fun! It is hosted by Harvest Sound, a thriving local church in downtown Nashville, with a heart for community and missions both locally and globally. This life-changing and spiritually focused summer camp is designed specifically for ages 13-18 to help them discover their God-given design, strengthen their creativity, and make strong friendships that will last a lifetime. Thunder Camp is in June of 2024 and is the best time of the year for many young campers from all over the world!! 

THE THREE DIFFERENT C’S OF THUNDER CAMP! 

COMMUNITY: Every year joyful shouts and excited young faces fill the YWAN base during the week of Thunder Camp! The cheerful atmosphere of this teen camp creates a safe space of acceptance, positivity, and growth. They will be able to thrive as they grow in their gifts and learn to glorify God with them. In the daily schedule, a space is created for personal devotions, where they can connect deeper with God and have the time that they need to process everything. There will also be fun group games that require teamwork and are designed to build character and strengthen their values as a teenager. Living within a loving community will create an ideal space where they can grow in trust and learn to communicate well with others. We even have a special night designated just for the guys and girls separately to dive deep into what it means to be a man or a woman of Godly character and truly celebrate the importance of their God-given identity and purity. Powerful teaching sessions from different leaders will specifically target things teens struggle with at this age, like identity, depression, trusting God with their lives, and different fears they might have. It will be a safe place for them to embrace freedom and confidence in their identity as a son or daughter of God! 

CREATIVITY: Having healthy minds and bodies is important as a teenager, and this great camp has lots of energetic group activities like different outdoor sports (such as volleyball, soccer, and kickball), drama skits, dance parties, and water balloon toss games! There are also different chill fun games, like engaging card games to play with friends, or they can get creative with art supplies, and if they want, they can join in with the music jams that often spontaneously break out in the hallways during their free time. Also one of the unique highlights of this summer camp is the different creative workshops they can choose from! They will be taught valuable tips and lessons by trained and knowledgeable speakers, that will help them succeed and grow in their gifts, passions, and callings. Some fun classes they can choose from are photography, guitar, art, drama, and vocals. Then they will also have many opportunities throughout the week to put what they have learned into action! 

COMPASSION: They will experience a mission lifestyle with their friends and the caring and capable staff of Harvest Sound! There will be opportunities to help serve and connect with the inner city and homeless community at the weekly Meal of Hope that Harvest Sound Church hosts in the heart of Nashville. It is a powerful and beautiful experience of being the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbor and many lives are impacted by love in action! On one special day in the week, they will be able to join in with everyone at an inner-city children's outreach in Nashville. There will be different opportunities to help with fun skits, face painting, active games, fun live music, and a dance party with all the adorable and precious children who come and love attention!! Also, during this week they will be given different jobs to help with meals and cleanup. The jobs will be distributed evenly among the students, and they will have the opportunity to earn points for their teammates in a fun and competitive game of serving others around them to encourage stewardship and teamwork. 

At Thunder Camp, the desire is that each exceptional camper would get commissioned into their God-given calling and become a strong leader for Jesus in their generation! To fully experience God's unmatched love for them and become confident in who God created them to be! To learn more about Thunder Camp or if you would like to apply click HERE! This could be the perfect summer camp for your teenager this year!!

FOUNDRY EVENTS-A UNIQUE INDUSTRIAL HISTORICAL WEDDING & EVENTS VENUE IN MUSIC CITY NASHVILLE

Are you looking for a location to host an event in the charming downtown of Nashville, TN??? This captivating rental & wedding venue is one of the best in Nashville and it offers a wide variety of accommodations. It could be the perfect space for your vision to come to life! Located right in one of the most famous music cities in the world, Foundry Events is a beautiful historic rental perfect for any music event! It is also one of the best wedding venues nestled in the heart of Nashville, just a couple of miles from Broadway! Standing strong with its original aged bricks and slate shingles roof, this building holds a charming vintage feel! The spacious open floor plan and high ceilings make it exceptional for any size event and allow you to transform the space to your specific needs.

Built back in the 1900s, The Foundry is located in the up-and-coming area of Marathon Village on Clinton Street. In this unique venue, the 5,000 sq. footage is an incredible place to host events of all types, from weddings (including rehearsals and receptions) to baby showers, parties, and all gatherings. It is the ultimate space for those looking to host a conference meeting, creative event, corporate event, or private event.   

Serving multiple capacities, this space is also ideal for more artistic endeavors! A couple of highlights are the fully equipped cafe that is available to accommodate every event, as well as a large stage to fit many different platforms. There is a professional sound system, which conveniently makes it an excellent choice for music videos, private showings, and films. 

The Foundry can be booked at affordable prices for indoor parties, including graduation and birthday parties, and sets the perfect ambiance for an intimate but classy space. With eye-catching features and its great location, the Foundry could be the best fit for what you are looking for! Additionally, Foundry Events also partners with the non-profit organization Harvest Sound International to alleviate suffering and abolish poverty in Nashville and worldwide. If you are interested in learning more or would like to book the Foundry for your perfect event, we invite you to schedule a walk-through or booking HERE. We look forward to connecting with you!!

HARVEST SOUND INTENSIVE NASHVILLE-ONE OF THE BEST DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING EXPERIENCES OF YOUR LIFE

Who doesn’t love a Christian retreat getaway in Music City USA, Nashville? Get ready, Get ready! What if there was a way to set aside a week solely for building Kingdom connection, immersing yourself in the presence of God, and learning about Him through teaching and training on His will? If you are 18 years or older, Harvest Sound Church invites you to an amazing retreat and training, which could be one of the best experiences of your life!! Join us at the Harvest Sound Intensive and delve into the presence of God, immerse yourself in worship and prayer, and get equipped and activated together with other youth in the work God has for us on earth. Join us right outside of Nashville at Five Star Retreat to encounter God more fully and be activated in your talents and interests!!

Harvest Sound Intensive is a week-long retreat in May of 2024 that is designed to give you a time of rest and devotion to God, while at the same time training and helping you develop your God-given gifts to do what you are put here on earth to do. Structured with corporate and individual devotional time, worship, teaching, training, and activation, it aims to help individuals walk with God more deeply, and then train them to take it to the world around them. Throughout the week, be trained by incredible leaders such as Pastors Scott and Sarah Macleod, the Harvest Sound staff, and other powerful speakers who are brought in for special teaching sessions! Enjoy fun group activities, workshops to choose from based on your unique interests and gifts, as well as special nights, such as girls’ and guys’ nights, where a safe place is created to talk about the more intimate things of life. At the end of the week, the group will experience a Sunday service at Harvest Sound Church, a vibrant, beautiful church in Nashville, which is hosting the Intensive!

The heart behind Harvest Sound Intensive is letting individuals’ encounters and relationships with God translate into their actions and everyday lives. Outreach trips to local Nashville ministries will be integrated into the Intensive at the end of the week. Young adults will have the opportunity to be the hands & feet of Jesus and be missionaries in the city of Nashville, serve the homeless at a ministry called Meal of Hope, share the Gospel on the famous street of Broadway by pairing with Fireplace, and help with an inner-city children’s ministry, which consists of face painting, skits, and music. Whatever your gifts and talents, you can have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and apply the training and teaching you have received throughout the week. Harvest Sound Intensive offers dynamic, activating outreaches that serve the local community and help individuals understand how to take God’s commission back to their cities and neighborhoods, all the while learning alongside other passionate young adults!

Today, there are so many things to do with our time. It can be hard to catch breath between careers, hobbies, families, friends, vacations, and the other things that make up our lives. And as Christians desiring to fulfill God’s purpose for our journey through life, we can feel lost in trying to honor Him through all of this! 

What if there was leadership who love God and are devoted to coming alongside those in search of a deeper experience and understanding of Him ready to connect and give you direction for your life? What if, at the same time, you were equipped to do the work of God and taught how to be empowered by the Spirit of God to more fully allow Him to turn your life, hobbies, and career into a mission field, one in which love is the driving force of what you do? 

Consider taking a break from the constant rush of life and the many responsibilities and pressures that often come with it. Instead, take a week of rest and let the loving community of Harvest Sound Intensive refresh you! Make friendships with other young adults who have the same passions and goals as you and enjoy beautiful summer days at the Five Star Retreat, located in the rolling hills of Tennessee!

We are so excited to see what God will do during this life-changing week set apart to only seek Him! If this resonates with you and sounds like something you would love to do, you can apply HERE. We look forward to having you join us!!

THE THRESHOLD DOOR INTO THE NEW YEAR-A GLIMPSE INTO COMMUNITY LIFE AT HARVEST SOUND CHURCH IN THE HEART OF NASHVILLE

Built in the early 1900s, The Foundry is one of those buildings that carry history in its aged brick walls. It holds stories that have been told throughout the years and some that only a few of us have heard. Located in the heart of Nashville TN, it is home to the loving community of Harvest Sound Church. It is also a unique venue for a variety of events that happen there as well. Many people from near and far open the sturdy wooden door of that building, enter inside and leave never the same. Is it the building? No, it is because they are met by the presence of God, a beautiful, powerful presence that changes lives for the better. The incredible news is that the love of God never fails, and it meets us all right where we are! Each of us is currently at the doorway into a new year, and here at Harvest Sound, we are excited to welcome you in with us as we cross over and let God be at the threshold!  

When we think of the bricks, mortar, and concrete floors of Harvest Sound Church, we do not naturally see it as being welcoming or cozy. Instead, we think of strength and a firm foundation that will age well over time. Yet as we open the door to enter, the sweet sounds of worship and prayer envelop us and suddenly we begin to feel very at home. This is why we know that it's not always about a specific building or place that tells us we truly belong there. Interestingly, at times the most picturesque house can feel unusually cold and empty, but a small cottage will thoroughly charm you. There are various designs and structures of buildings, and they all speak to us in unique ways. But rather the question is... what do we feel as we enter? 

There's something about when we step into an unknown place that brings it into a new perspective. It’s distinctly different than only seeing it from the outside. We open ourselves up to experience it in all its fullness and possibility! Sometimes there can be confusion about what we are feeling exactly in the moment, but eventually, we’ll start to understand. Then there are also those specific times we walk into a place, and we never forget the experience of it. In those moments it feels like we have arrived somewhere of great value...that we were born for such a time! There’s that feeling of belonging to something so much bigger than us. It pulls deep within and makes us feel known in ways we cannot even begin to understand, and we wonder how it happened so fast.  

What if we would view the transition into this new year of 2024 like we are entering the house God wants to construct with us? If we have Him abide in the forefront of it all, then everything we encounter would face and acknowledge the Keeper of our doorway! Our daily challenges and struggles must bow down to the One who guards the entrance of the home that God is building. In Ezekiel 10:4 it says “Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord!” As we surrender our place in this new year to God and invite Him into the entering of the unknown and newness, He will be the foundation and glory we will be surrounded by! He’ll be what makes each of our unique buildings into a home and the people we meet in this next year will be able to experience God through it all. We will be full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord! 

Approaching a new entryway can be exciting or even intimidating at times. Yet when the threshold is guarded and kept by God, we have great hope and peace because He is Sovereign overall. Let us joyfully progress into the unknown of this next year and enjoy creating the house God will make into a home. One that He can fully inhabit!