The Fall Harvest: A Season for Spiritual Growth and Evangelism - Part 1
- Sam Peters
- Jan 21
- 6 min read
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" – Matthew 9:37-38 ESV
As I drove down the interstate through Kentucky, I noticed the first signs of fall creeping in. The leaves were beginning to change, and the morning air had a coolness that signaled the shift in seasons. Fall was arriving, as it always does in this part of the country. Living in a region shaped by agriculture, I’ve come to appreciate the rhythm of life here. Tractors were out in the fields, harvesting crops that had matured over the summer. The community was settling into familiar routines—high school football games, pumpkin patches, and the daily rush of getting kids back to school.
But just as this season marks a time of gathering and growth in the fields, it also offers a unique opportunity for our churches. As people return to their regular seats in the sanctuary, reestablishing their fall routines, we’re presented with a moment ripe for spiritual growth and evangelism. Just as farmers prepare the land for a plentiful harvest, we, as pastors and church leaders, can prepare the spiritual soil—planting seeds of faith, cultivating discipleship, and nurturing the hearts of those we serve.
This fall, what if we embraced the metaphor of harvest? What if we intentionally focused on gathering new souls and deepening the faith of those in our congregation, preparing for a season of spiritual renewal and abundant growth?
As the rhythms of fall settle in, this season offers more than just a return to routine. It aligns perfectly with the church’s greater mission: to make disciples—people who are growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. True spiritual growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s cultivated through intentional disciple-making. This is where we see real transformation, both individually and within the life of the congregation.
Now is a critical time for us, as leaders, to lean into this mission. The changing season provides a natural opportunity for outreach to our community. As people get back into their routines, many are open to trying church again, perhaps for the first time in years. In a world that feels increasingly divided, there’s a hunger for something deeper, something real—something grounded in truth. This fall, we have the chance to meet that need by inviting people into a journey of faith and transformation through discipleship.
In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus paints a picture of spiritual urgency. The harvest—those ready and longing to respond to the gospel—is abundant, but there aren’t enough workers willing to gather them in. This isn't a passive call; it's a plea for action. The harvest is now, and the opportunity to reap souls for the kingdom is fleeting.
As church leaders, we dare not hesitate. We are in a season where people are seeking truth, hope, and belonging, and we must make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16). Just as crops left unharvested in the field will wither, souls left unattended in this spiritual season may miss the opportunity to encounter Christ. The call is urgent—God has prepared the hearts, and now He calls us to move, laboring faithfully to gather what He has already sown.
Cultivating Spiritual Growth: Preparing the Soil
Before any harvest, farmers know the importance of preparing the soil. The ground must be tilled, nourished, and made ready to receive seeds. In the same way, our churches need spiritual preparation before we can see a fruitful harvest of growth and transformation. As pastors and church leaders, it is crucial that we intentionally "prepare the soil" of our congregation’s hearts so that they can receive the seeds of faith, grow deeper in their relationship with Christ, and ultimately bear spiritual fruit.
Prayer is the single most important way to prepare both our hearts and the hearts of our congregations for spiritual growth. Just as farmers cannot force crops to grow without creating the right environment, we cannot lead our congregations into growth without first laying a foundation of prayer. Pastors and church leaders need to be committed to personal prayer, allowing God to work in their own hearts as they lead. Congregational prayer is equally essential, creating an environment where the Holy Spirit can move freely and deeply among the people.
Encourage your congregation to pray intentionally for spiritual renewal, asking God to open hearts and make them receptive to the work He desires to do. Prayer for guidance, wisdom, and softened hearts can act like rain on soil, preparing it for what’s to come. The more we bathe our ministry efforts in prayer, the more we align ourselves with God’s purposes. We are inviting the Holy Spirit to break up the hardened ground of the heart so the seed can be planted.
Another practical way to prepare the congregation for harvest is doing a sermon series on spiritual renewal or evangelism. For years, I used the month of September as a time to preach and teach on what it means to be a Christ follower and a member of the church. This is a great time to hit on the themes of repentance, the means of grace and the power of discipleship. Guide your people toward a deeper walk of faith.
This fall, challenge your congregation to go deeper in their spiritual lives. As the season shifts and routines settle, encourage them to focus on growing their roots in Christ. Just like plants need deep roots to thrive, so too do believers need a strong, foundational relationship with Jesus to grow in faith. Encourage them to dive deeper into Scripture, to take their prayer lives more seriously, and to serve others as an expression of their growing discipleship.
You could introduce new spiritual disciplines, invite testimonies from those who have experienced personal renewal, and encourage accountability partnerships within small groups. This season, call your people to go beyond surface-level engagement and to intentionally pursue growth in Christ.
Create a culture of discipleship. When we build relationships with one another and walk the journey of faith together, we are disciple-making. Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident; it must be cultivated. This begins with the pastor and church leaders. When you create a culture where discipleship is prioritized and valued you are encouraging your congregation to actively engage with others through mentoring relationships. Be intentional. Offer specific discipleship pathways, from new believer classes to leadership training for those that are ready to take their faith to a new level. For more information on intentional disciple-making see my recent articles “Are We Making Disciples or Just Keeping Busy” and “Reigniting Your Church’s Passion for Discipleship”.
As we enter this season of harvest, the opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation is right in front of us. The fall is more than just a time of settling back into routines—it’s a time for pastors, church leaders, and congregations to intentionally prepare the soil for a bountiful harvest of faith. Through prayer, discipleship, and a renewed focus on spiritual depth, we can till the spiritual ground and make way for new life to grow.
This is a time for us to embrace our role as spiritual laborers, recognizing that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. As leaders, we have a responsibility to sow seeds of faith, deepen the roots of those already in our congregation, and welcome those seeking truth and transformation. Let us take hold of this moment, not just to maintain the status quo, but to truly cultivate a church that grows in grace and knowledge of Christ.
Look for Part 2 Next Week
Next week, we’ll dive into Sowing Seeds of Faith: Evangelism and Outreach. We’ll explore practical ways to reach out to our communities during this season and discuss how personal and corporate evangelism efforts can lead to a greater harvest of souls. Together, let’s make this fall a time of reaping spiritual fruit for the Kingdom! Stay tuned!
I’d like to hear what ideas you come up with for your fall harvest campaign. You can share them with me at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com. If this article has been a blessing to you, take time to share it with others on your social feeds.
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