Your latter will be greater

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” - Zechariah 4:10

“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former.” - Haggai 2:9

A few weeks ago, something sacred happened.

Our congregation showed up with paint brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and open hearts. We laughed, worked, worshiped, and prepared our new church home together. As I looked around at people painting walls—some who have been with Harvest for years, some newer faces—I was overwhelmed with gratitude and memory.

Those pictures you see above?

They tell a much bigger story than fresh paint.

Twenty Years of Becoming

Harvest was established 20 years ago. In the beginning, we were what I lovingly call a “pack-up church.” Every Sunday meant loading cars, setting up, tearing down, and trusting God week by week. Eventually, we rented a small storefront—and stayed there for 16 years.

Sixteen years.

We saved money, but never quite enough. We dreamed of more space, but the timing never seemed right. People wanted to move. Some grew discouraged. Some left. Growth felt slow. Stagnant, even.

And if I’m being honest?

I remember listening to Juanita Bynum’s song “I Don’t Mind Waiting,” and thinking, “I do mind waiting… because this is taking a very long time.”

Yet God was never absent.

He was active.

When God Delays, He Is Developing

Scripture reminds us that God often does His greatest work later, not sooner.

• Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for a child for years, and John the Baptist came in their latter years.

• Abraham and Sarah waited decades for Isaac long after they thought time had passed them by.

What if delay is not denial…

but preparation?

What if God is doing His deepest work in seasons we label as “too late”?

The Power of the Remnant

Through those years in the small storefront, God did something extraordinary. He bonded us.

A remnant stayed.

We became family.

We worshiped through loss, sickness, uncertainty, and transition—together.

That little building shaped us. It taught us intimacy. Faithfulness. Consistency. Love. It forced us to truly know one another. And now I see clearly: what we once thought was our flaw - limited growth - was actually our training ground.

Nothing was wasted.

Not one year.

Not one tear.

Not one prayer.

Prepared for What’s Next

When the time finally came, God gave us a building we could actually afford—with what we already had. And when we walked into it, we were ready. Not just financially, but spiritually.

The vision of Harvest Nations was born out of those years of waiting:

intimate, coffee-house-style churches where people are known, seen, discipled, and loved.

And here’s the beautiful thing:

We don’t plan to grow big - we plan to grow deep.

When we outgrow this space, we won’t stretch it thin.

We’ll plant another Harvest in another part of the city.

Because God prepared us for this model long before we understood it.

You Are Not Too Old

This is my encouragement to you, especially as we enter a new year:

• You are not too old.

• God has not forgotten what you asked Him for.

• Your waiting has purpose.

• Your experiences are not wasted.

God often waits until we are ready, not just eager.

And sometimes…

your latter really is greater than your beginning.

As you look at these photos of our church family painting walls and preparing a new home, remember this:

God was painting something in us long before He gave us a building.

And He’s doing the same in you.

— Pastor Felica

Senior Pastor, Harvest Nations

FLOW: Reflections, revelations, and reminders from the journey—because faith doesn’t rush… it flows.