The Beginning
Harvest Church United Methodist, Dothan, Alabama began in 1996.
The church moved into their first building (with a 525-seat auditorium) in July of 2003, after having met in two local middle schools for over six years.
First and foremost, we acknowledge that the beginning of Harvest was in the mind of God long before anyone else had a thought. We give testimony to God’s faithfulness in directing our lives when we are willing to do whatever He calls us to do. What an exciting way to live!
The Vision
The vision of Harvest Church is vitally important and is explained to each new member to maintain clarity and unity of purpose.
To reach the “un-churched”.Harvest aims to position itself to make a major impact on the 21,000+ people within the 10-mile radius of the church building who are not practicing any religion. Starting new churches is one of the primary ways adults in America are now being reached with the gospel. What an exciting opportunity!
To provide small groups for everyone.Jesus said that we are known as His disciples when we love each other (John 13:35). Small groups give us the opportunity to live Christianity in close relationship with other believers.
To teach and experience vibrant, true, spiritual worship.There are several worship teams (musicians and vocalists) to lead the first half of the service. They help us focus on seeking the Lord together.
To keep growing– spiritually, and in the number (especially by those who are being saved so the Kingdom of God is expanded).
To support missions around the world.
To influence our denomination and other churches.
The People
God has brought together an extremely varied group of people -- all ages, all economic levels, all types of vocational and educational experiences, and life circumstances. In the beginning years, approximately 1/3 of the members were not attending church before coming to Harvest. The other 2/3’s come from every possible church background.
The Setting
To address the reasons people give for not going to church, Harvest emphasizes casual dress, contemporary worship music, relevant messages, small groups, and friendliness.
“Enjoy a casual setting where you can be yourself. You can easily fit in because everyone is new and we want others to join us. Enjoy good, lively music led by our worship band. The sermon will relate to everyday life and be easy to understand. You’ll be attending a church with a great future. And most importantly, you can experience the presence of God in our service. At Harvest we are trying to remove the pretense of religion. We want to be real and honest in seeking God and in our relationship with each other. We’re not looking for perfect people or religious people…. just for people who honestly want more of God in their lives.”
The Pastor
Pastor Ralph Sigler is the founding pastor of Harvest Church United Methodist. He is a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. His father, Dr. R.O. (Dick) Sigler was a pastor in the Alabama/West Florida Conference. His mother, Naomi Case Sigler is the daughter of a Methodist minister, 4 of his 5 uncles were Methodist pastors, and both of his brothers minister in the United Methodist church. Ralph married Rhonda Jones from Ocala, Florida (her father pastored independent churches). They have 3 sons, Daniel, Joel, and Paul.
Before starting Harvest, Ralph served 14 years in youth ministry. He was at Enterprise First Methodist Church for over 9 years. In 1992, he moved his family to Lexington, Kentucky where he served as youth pastor 4½ years at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky while attending Asbury Theological Seminary.
Ralph has a passion for helping people find life at its best -- which is found in knowing and following Christ. He loves to see people experience Jesus firsthand, grow to love Him, and become strong disciples. He desires to see people God brings to Harvest become the person God created them to be and to find their ministry. Pastor Ralph teaches the continual filling of the Holy Spirit as the key to a victorious, joy-filled, fruitful life. He explains that the Lord wants to pour out His Spirit in abundance on everyone who is willing to receive Him.
The History
“God’s elect are here scattered throughout this city, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:1 & 2 (paraphrased).
While in seminary, Pastor Ralph heard that the most effective way to reach adults in America for Christ is through starting new churches. God used this intriguing fact, and Ralph’s spiritual gift of evangelism to direct him to the next stage of his life and ministry. The desire to begin a new church began to grow in his mind.
He talked with the Dothan district superintendent (overseer of the Methodist churches in a certain area), Walter Ellisor, about the idea of a new church. Dr. Ellisor was very interested and asked Ralph to write out his ideas in a letter to the Alabama/West Florida bishop.
Unknown to Ralph, Dr. Ellisor had a desire to see a new church start in Dothan. With his support and voice in the denomination, the bishop did appoint Ralph to the Dothan district to start a new church in June of 1996.
Ralph wanted to start the church in Dothan because he believed Dothan was large enough to support this different style of church. Also he was familiar with the town and already had contacts here because he had lived in Dothan during his high school years (his father pastored Layfette Street United Methodist Church, 1974 – 1980).
At first, Ralph spent most of his time meeting with anyone who was interested in hearing about the vision, explaining over and over again the idea and what the church service could “look” like. On Sunday mornings, the Siglers visited Methodist churches in the area to share about the plan for the new church. The other churches were helpful and supportive. Ralph began searching for possible meeting places. He took a survey of people in Dothan asking why they don’t go to church. The textbook answers were: “church people aren’t friendly”, “church is boring”, “they only want my money”, “I don’t fit in”, “it doesn’t relate to my life”, “I don’t like the music”, I don’t want to dress up”.
Rather quickly God brought the right people to form the core group. By the end of June, three families met with the Siglers in their living room to talk about how to begin. Meeting together on Sunday nights during that first summer, the group began to grow as more were drawn to the vision of this church, or just to help. After praying together the group felt led to call the new church “Harvest Church”.
That September the first Sunday morning service was held in the Girard Middle School cafeteria. The local paper printed some articles on the start of the church, some of the Methodist churches ran announcements in their newsletters, and this helped to inform more people about Harvest. From September through October the number grew, so that on the last Sunday before the official opening there were 50 people in attendance.
During this time, the core group worked nights conducting a phone survey – calling families all over Dothan to identify people without a church home who were interested in getting information about the new church. They also invited them to attend the opening service. The phone survey was a lot of work, but many of the first members say they came because of that initial phone call.
On November 3, 1996, the formal opening service was held. There were 200 people in attendance on that exciting day! It was advertised as “The birth of Harvest Church -- The Start of Something Good!”
It truly was the start of something good. Everything God plans and brings about is good. We enjoy looking back to see how many things God prepared for Harvest to begin as it did, when it did. We look forward to what He has in store for us as we continue to seek Him. We love meeting together now knowing His presence is with us. We know He has a great future for Harvest Church.
Jeremiah 29:11 –14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.