How It Started
Our Humble Beginnings
Harvest Christian Center began with a simple but powerful vision: to create a church where people could encounter God’s presence, grow in faith, and live out the Gospel with purpose.
From the very beginning, we have believed in the transforming power of God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit. Every step forward has been marked by prayer, faith, and a deep desire to see lives changed—locally and globally. We've seen God’s faithfulness through seasons of growth, challenges, and breakthrough, and we continue to walk in obedience to His calling.
Harvest Christian Center has a legacy rooted in revival and built on generations of faithful leadership. Our story began in January of 1935 at what was then the Crescent Theater on William Street, when a powerful move of God during a revival led by Rev. A.F. Varnell gave birth to the Decatur Full Gospel Tabernacle. Sensing God’s hand on the new congregation, Varnell entrusted its care to E.G. Hurt, who was soon after succeeded by Howard K. Miller, and then Ivan E. Wilson, who pastored for several years with dedication and vision and moved the congregation into a new structure down the road.
In 1945, Pastor Donald Etnier became the church’s new shepherd. Under his leadership, the congregation flourished, and the church was renamed Bethel Tabernacle. In 1953, a new building was constructed on Curtis Street, marking a season of growth and deep community impact.
Meanwhile, in 1975, Pastor Jerry Henneberry founded House of Prayer Ministries in the old England Mansion on College Street, faithfully serving that congregation until 1986. At that time, as Pastor Etnier sought retirement, the two churches united in a God-ordained merger—combining legacies and hearts under the new name Harvest Christian Center, with Pastor Jerry Henneberry stepping in as lead pastor.
In 1992, Jerry’s son, Rev. Kirk Henneberry, answered the call to pastoral leadership and became the lead pastor, continuing to build on the solid foundation laid before him.
The story of Harvest expanded again in 2010. Back in 1980, Pastor Donald Etnier’s son, Norm Etnier, had become pastor of Christian Fellowship Church. Upon his retirement in 2010, Christian Fellowship merged with Harvest Christian Center, combining ministries and moving into the Christian Fellowship building at 2199 N. Water Street, where we continue to worship and serve today.
From revival beginnings to generational legacy, Harvest Christian Center stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness. We are a church committed to seeing lives transformed, families restored, and our community reached with the hope of Jesus Christ.
