Harvest Church is a group of people from the Forest Lake, Hugo, and surrounding communities who came together in 2003 to form a new Evangelical Free church. We began public worship services on June 6th, 2004. For two years, we met on Sunday evenings at New Life Church in downtown Hugo. On October 15th, 2006, we transitioned to Sunday morning worship services at 10:30AM at Century Junior High School on the south side of Forest Lake. Then on July 29, 2007, we moved to the newly built facilities of the Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake, with a 10:00AM service.

Harvest Church is for everyone - literally.  We have people from many denominational backgrounds and none are excluded.  In fact, if you have never been to church before, Harvest Church would be a perfect place to visit.

Harvest Church is different because our focus is not entirely on the Sunday experience but on building relationships.  We emphasize mid-week small groups.  We have a blended/ contemporary worship style, a fellowship time at the end of the service, sound Bible teaching and a commitment to excellence with our children's ministry.

The North Central District of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) has long had a strong emphasis on planting new churches. Harvest Church was started with four families in May of 2003 in cooperation with First Evangelical Free Church in Maplewood and the North Central District of the EFCA. Core Group Training (an EFCA church planting curriculum) began in October of that year with a team of 23 adults.  This seven month, weekly training time helped us build the infrastructure of what Harvest Church is today.  Public worship started in June of 2004 at New Life Church in Hugo, with a move to Century Junior High School in Forest Lake in October of 2006 and then to Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake in July of 2007..

In June of 2004, there were no suitable public facilities available in Hugo for a Sunday morning worship facility. Through God's providence and the extreme graciousness of the people of New Life Church, Harvest Church began it's public life meeting for worship on Sunday evenings at the New Life Church building in Hugo. This met our needs at the time, but Harvest Church fully intended to move to a Sunday morning worship service as soon as God lead us to suitable facilities. We made that move in October 2006 when we began meeting in a school district facility in Forest Lake.

We also continue to investigate the opportunities to purchase land in the Hugo area to provide for our long term needs. We are prayerfully seeking God's leading in these areas.

God Centered (Mark 12:30) We value prizing God by keeping Him the center of everything we do.  We strive to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength through obedience and worship.  

Bible Based (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We value the inerrant Word of God as our only authority and foundation.  We strive to be not only hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.  

Prayer Dependent (Ephesians 6:18) We value a dependency on prayer because it is the lifeline to our Lord.  The battle of this ministry will be fought through perseverance in prayer.  
Community (John 13:34-35) We value developing a community united in the love of Christ.  In large and small groups we strive to develop caring relationships, hold each other accountable and offer newcomers a place to belong.  

Evangelism (Matthew 28:19-20) We value building relationships with non-believers because lost people matter to God.  Our purpose is to lead people to the risen Christ by communicating a clear Gospel message.  

Intentional Ministry (2 Timothy 2:2) We value being proactive and allowing the Holy Spirit to determine the structure of our ministry.  We strive for God-honoring vision, creativity and teamwork as we disciple believers, develop empowering leaders and reach people in other areas through church planting and missions.  

Servanthood (1 Peter 4:8-11) We value that every Christian is a minister.  Because service is love in action, we desire for each person to humbly use their God-given talents and gifts in the body and in our culture while anticipating the return of Christ.

You might also want to view our Statement of Faith.

Here is information about some of our staff that you will see or talk with if you visit or call.

Paul Ratzloff - Interim Pastor

Since March 12, 2007, Pastor Paul Ratzloff has been serving with us as interim pastor. Pastor Paul lives in Coon Rapids with his wife and two children. He has served various churches in the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) denomination over the past 20+ years. We are pleased that he will be serving with us and look forward to his leadership. We expect that Pastor Paul will be serving with us until Pastor Charles' return. Please take the opportunity to get to know him and his family. Pastor Paul can be reached via email at "PastorPaul" at HarvestHugo.com.

Charles Causey - Senior Pastor

Charles is our founding pastor, moving to Hugo with his wife and four children in May of 2003.  Prior to becoming a pastor, Charles served with Campus Crusade for Christ in the early '90's.  Since then he has attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and worked as a full-time pastor in the EFCA for seven years.  Charles loves to play with his kids, read books, write, run and spend time outdoors.  He is also an Army Reserve Chaplain.  His wife Lauri of 13 years also enjoys spending time outdoors in her garden.

Matt Higgins - Worship Director

Matt has been our worship director since the fall of 2005. Matt came to us with much experience in leading worship, most recently at Lakes EFC in Lindstrom, and has been involved in music ministry for almost all of his life. Matt has a lovely wife and two adorable children, and the Higgins family has been a great addition to our church in many ways.

Nancy Lee - Administrative Assistant

Nancy has been serving as our Administrative Assistant since the fall of 2005. Nancy assists the Elder team and the Deacons in whatever manner is needed and is the voice you'll hear when calling Harvest Church. Nancy and her drummer husband have two children and have been very involved in Harvest Church since we started public worship in June 2004. Nancy also serves as our Deacon of Worship.

(page last updated: 07/28/07)