Harvest House (http://www.harvesthouse.ws)

Could you give up everything for God? Could you walk away from your life and possessions to move somewhere new and do something totally different?

Gary and Linda Tatu, the founders of Christian mission organization called the Harvest House, did just that. The couple, who met on a rollercoaster, left a very comfortable life after attending a spiritual retreat. After seeing a picture of a rundown Presbyterian church in a real estate listing booklet and attending a Christian concert with messages that they felt God directed at them, Gary and Linda sold their suburban home and purchased the old church in 1993.

Since that time, Gary and Linda have opened the old church (which is also their home!) to Christian concerts, retreats, the homeless, and so much more. As a matter of fact, the Harvest House ministry is getting ready to add a second location, which will feature an infants and children's ministry, a clinic for the uninsured and underinsured, and the local Headstart program!

One of their most famous projects is Bottles for Babies™. People and organizations take home empty bottles provided by the Harvest House, and they fill them with their leftover change. Once the bottle is full, it is returned to the Harvest House where the money benefits families in need.

God gave Gary and Linda a mission in their lives, and they are living it out. Could you?

Think About It

•  Think of a time in your life when you felt God calling you to do something. Did you do it, or not? Why or why not?
• What can your confirmation class do to help families in your area who are homeless or in need?