Every farmer wants a harvest (Plants A Christian Church). His eyes see an empty field that is overgrown with weeds and covered with rocks (The World without Christ). But his mind sees his field or hillside covered with strong, healthy crops. (The World with Christ). And the promise in his mind, not the problems before his eyes, takes him into the field to work (The Great Commandment and The Great Commission).

"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Markus 4:3-9).

First, he breaks up the hard dirt, so the seeds can grow easily (Pray). Then he plants the seeds (Evangelize). As they grow, he pulls out the weeds that try to choke the new plants. He makes sure they have enough water, and he protects them from birds and bugs. He does his part, knowing that only God has the power to make the seeds grow (Make Disciples). When the time is right, the farmer goes into the field, gathers the fruit of his harvest and takes it to his storehouse (Gather Together). There, he collects new seeds for the next planting season more seeds than he started with (Develop Leaders). So his harvest grows greater every year (Multiply Christian Church).

After surveying potential fields for harvest, a farmer selects a place to begin. Usually, the soil is too hard, has too many rocks or is too thick with weeds to receive the seed. It needs to be prepared first. Packed soil must be loosened. Rocks and weeds must be removed. The farmer’s tools are plows and rakes and hoes. The church’s tool is strategic, Holy Spirit-led prayer. “Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a House of Prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7).

When we join God in what He is doing, there will be a great harvest. One of the ways to see where God is working is to find a Person of Peace. A Person of Peace is a gatekeeper to the surrounding community. "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house” (Luke 10:5-7). A Person of Peace may be an unbeliever who has been prepared by the Holy Sprit and is ready to receive the gospel. Or a Person of Peace may already be a believer. But they always are open to the Gospel.