Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.
WOW! All I can say is WOW! Northwooders came through again by hosting over 400 ladies for an evening with Janet Pascal! Our Ladies Banquet Ministry Team did an outstanding job in planning, organizing and putting on a first class, top rate ministry event! Our ladies did a beautiful job preparing beautiful and welcoming tables! Our men prepared a delicious meal and served with with an amazing spirit. So many people pitched in to help us have a magnificent evening of ministry impact!
It is amazing what we can do, when we come together to accomplish something great for God and His glory! Janet did a super job in sharing a special word from the Lord and I am so looking forward to the harvest from the seeds that she planted! Thanks JoJo and team for great leadership and thanks for everyone of you that helped to bless this community with a very special touch from the Lord!
I am really looking forward to preaching Sunday! I am gong to be talking about “THE POWER OF STORMS!” Defeat is not when we get knocked down, but when we refuse to get bck up! Every one of us will face storms in this life! The question is not will we face storms, but when will we face them and how will we face them? I believe that a lot of people in our world today are living in the midst of continuing storms! I also believe that there is a reason for the storms, a benefit from facing and dealing with our storms and a way to get out of the storms!
If you are facing a storm or if you know someone that is – I encourage you to be at Northwood this coming Sunday. God has a very special Word that can change our lives!
“It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelist, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
I love this Scripture, because it is a reminder to me of the calling that God has placed upon my life! I did not choose to be a pastor – that was God’s choice! He called me, gifted me and annointed me! He has given me the task of shepherding His Church by preparing God’s people fo works of service so that the body may be built up, until we all reach “unity in the faith” and in the “knowledge of Jesus”.
My job is to help the church to grow in it’s relationship with Jesus. I want to help you mature and grow in your walk and relationship with Jesus! I want you to have and know all that Christ has for you! If there is any way that I can help you in your journey with Christ – please feel free to call on me. I am praying you and working hard to grow myself, so that I might help to grow you for God’s glory and everyone’s blessing!
Michael Joe Harvell 