We Are
Harvest
Students

Travel Back in Time in the Archive!

Harvest Students exists to connect students to God, His Word, His People,
and His purpose for their lives

SUMMER CAMP 2026!!!!

JUNIOR HIGH -JULY 15-19, 2026

HIGH SCHOOL – JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2026

Camp Harvest is more than just a summer trip—it’s the moment our students look forward to all year long. Set on a beautiful 162-acre property, Camp Harvest creates space for students to step away from the noise of everyday life and encounter God in a powerful and personal way.    There will be messages, worship, games, and lots of fun.

PLEASE
APPLY NOW IF YOU NEED A SCHOLARSHIP.

It is best to apply for the scholarship, register for camp, pay the
down-payment and request payment plan.  This will assure that you have a
spot for your student at camp and on the bus.

Greater Than is a 4-week student series all about one powerful truth:

Jesus is greater than anything we face.

In a world filled with fear, insecurity, lies, and pressure, we’ll discover what it means to live with confidence because “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

From sin and death to trials and the lies of the enemy, this series will show that through Jesus, we don’t have to live defeated yet we can now walk in freedom, truth, and victory.

ministry meeting times

Elgin
CAMPUS

Junior High: Wednesday @ 6:30-8:30PM
High School : Wednesdays @ 7:30-9:30PM

Rolling Meadows
CAMPUS

Junior High: Sundays @ 5:00 - 7:00PM
High School: Sundays @ 5:00 - 7:00PM

Crystal Lake
CAMPUS

Junior High: Wednesdays @ 6:30-8:30PM
High School : Wednesdays @ 6:30-8:30PM

AURORA
CAMPUS

Junior High: Sundays @ 5:00 - 7:00PM
High School: Sundays @ 5:00 - 7:00PM

MEET THE STAFF

Jon and Mellisa


Jon Bell

I studied Preaching, Youth Ministry, and the Bible at Johnson Bible College. I am currently the Campus Pastor at HBC Aurora. Married to Melissa for 7 1/2 years and we have a dog named Sadie and we love serving in students because we love their passion and servants heart for the church and the world.

Nick Gaviria

I serve at the Elgin campus. I have served as the Student Pastor at Harvest for about 4 years. I am an alumnus of Moody Bible Institute and am completing my Masters of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Before coming to Harvest, I was a part of a church plant in the Elgin area. My wife, Faby, and I have been married for two years and live in Elgin. I am beyond blessed to be a part of this community!

Larry Geisler

I’m from Langhorne, Pennsylvania (near Philly). I graduated from Liberty in 2019 and started a 2-year pastoral residency program on staff at 12Stone Church in the northeast suburbs of Atlanta. In 2021 I started at Harvest where I now serve in ministry at the Rolling Meadows campus and also met my amazing wife Stephanie. I love helping students to pursue the Lord, teaching them to love Him more than anything else, and seeing them reach their friends for Jesus.

Jon Woodin

I graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University) in 2009 with a double major in Biblical Studies and Camp Administration. My wife, Maggie, and I were married in 2007 and are parents to two sons, Rex and Uriah—Rex is currently part of our student ministry, and Uriah went home to be with the Lord in 2023. I’ve been part of Harvest for many years, serving in a variety of ministry capacities, and I’m grateful to walk alongside students as they grow in faith and learn to follow Jesus.

PARENT RESOURCES

• Based on Barna research (the most accurate and up to date researchers on Christianity in our culture), this is an eye opening and encouraging read on what is necessary for a young person to build a resilient faith in today’s culture. Through the support of research and the hope of biblical truth, Cinnamon and Matlock share 5 extremely helpful ways to help young people become the resilient disciples of Jesus that God designed them to be.
• This is an extremely helpful look at the thinkers who have formed much of the secular worldview that we see today. Trueman exhibits excellent cultural analysis from a Christian perspective. Strange New World explores the history of the sexual revolution and its influence today. Students today are all affected by this culture so we need to understand it.

Harvest Groups Podcast

Helpful conversations about Community and Discipleship Groups (D-Groups) at
Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago.
Community Group Leader Podcast
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 1
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 2
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 3
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 4
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 5
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 6
Community Group Leader Podcast | Episode 7
D Group Leader Podcast
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 1 | Share Your Story
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 2 | Goals and Expectations
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 3 | HEAR Journals and Scripture Memory
D-Group Starter Guide Conversation 4 | Accountability and Prayer
Conversation 1 D-Group Multiply Guide | Who, Why, Where?
Bonus Episode 1 | Am I Ready to Lead a D-Group?
Conversation 2 D-Group Multiply Guide | Identifying Potential Members
Bonus Episode 2 | How to Select the Right People for Your D Group
Conversation 3 D-Group Multiply Guide | Inviting Potential Members
Bonus Episode 3 | How to Invite People to Your D-Group
Conversation 4 D-Group Multiply Guide | Celebrate & Commission

Community Group Outreach/Service Ideas

Create homeless blessing bags together, distribute to homeless outreach in area or keep in your car to give out.  

Serve at The Ruth Project either downtown Elgin or at the farm 

Serve together at Feed My Starving Children 

Contact campus ministry team to “adopt” a single mother in the congregation, and provide her with ongoing support (babysitting, groceries, gifts of encouragement)  

Contact local elementary/middle/high school and ask to provide regular blessing baskets to teachers   

Contact local senior/assisted living facility and offer to host a praise and worship night or ongoing Bible study 

Serve at local soup kitchen  

Sign up to serve with Habitat for Humanity  

Find more Volunteer opportunities at https://www.volunteermatch.org/ 

Contact the Lead Team