Leadership at Harvest Community Church
Harvest is “Presbyterian” in government, that is, we are ruled by elders who are chosen by the congregation. Within the office of elders there are teaching elders (TE’s, i.e., Pastors) and ruling elders (RE’s). The elders of the church make up the Session and are given the responsibility of overseeing and shepherding Christ’s flock. The deacons, under the oversight of the Session, are responsible for the ministry of mercy/justice and stewardship.
Pastors
Jacob Gerber
Senior Pastor (Teaching Elder)
Jacob joined Harvest Community Church as the Senior Pastor in November of 2015. He and his wife Allison have three children: Evelyn, Zachariah, and Caleb. He received his M.Div. from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. Jacob is passionate about shepherding God’s people through proclaiming the whole counsel of God’s word.
Andrew Lightner
Assistant Pastor (Teaching Elder)
Andrew joined Harvest Community Church as the Assistant Pastor in February 2018. He and his wife Lorri have two children: Daisy and Alastair. He received his M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL, and is currently working on a ThM through Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Prior to Harvest, Andrew served on staff at a PCA church in Port Orange, FL and in campus ministry through Campus Outreach in Daytona Beach, FL.
Elders
Bob DeYoung
Ruling Elder
Bob attended Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. After college he served in full-time ministry as a director of Christian Education and as a youth leader for 11 years, working for three different churches over that time. Bob came to Harvest with his wife Julie and two children in 1996. He was ordained a ruling elder in 1999. After serving in a local PCA church plant for a season, Bob returned and was installed again as a ruling elder at Harvest in May 2018.
Mike Lueders
Ruling Elder
Mike Lueders was born and raised in Omaha, and he served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years. Mike and his wife Robyn (also from Omaha) have been married since 1983 and have been blessed with seven children and 8 grandchildren. Mike has been a member of Harvest since 2011 and was elected in early 2015 to serve as ruling elder.
Brian Reid
Ruling Elder
Brian Reid has served as a Ruling Elder at Harvest since early 2015. He and his wife Amy have three children: Isaac, Zeke, and Elijah.
Jim Richards
Ruling Elder
Jim Richards graduated from Dordt College and the University of Colorado. He married Julie Birky in 1985 and they have 4 children. He started attending Harvest in 1996 and became a Ruling Elder in 2001. Jim leads the Harvest To the Nations/Nations to Harvest (HTN/NTH) team, and he is working with an International Presbyterian Church plant in Romania.
Deacons
Harold Isenberger
Deacon
Harold Isenberger became a Christian at age 5 at a neighborhood Child Evangelism Fellowship Bible Study. In 1997, God used Union Pacific Railroad to bring Harold and his wife Beth to Omaha from Denver. He became church treasurer about 2001 and was ordained as a Deacon in the first class of 2004. Harold’s passion is in the works of justice and mercy, and leading worship.
Dick Kannas
Deacon
Kevin Mulhearn
Deacon
Kevin was originally ordained as a deacon at a PCA church in Union, Missouri. After a brief stint in Yorktown, Virginia, Kevin and his family moved to Omaha a few years ago. By God’s grace Kevin was installed as a deacon at Harvest in May 2018. He is currently the treasurer of the diaconate. Kevin and his wife Carol have seven children, and two grandchildren.
Pete Smagacz
Deacon
Rich Swan
Deacon
Rich Swan graduated from Millard High School in 1972 and married his wife Sue in 1973. Rich and Sue have two sons; Jeff and Kevin, and three grandchildren; Christian, Faith, and Aaliyah. They found Harvest in 1998 and became members in September of 2000. Rich started in the Automotive Painting business in 1991. Rich has been serving Harvest as a Deacon since 2010.