WORSHIP PASTOR
jbelcher@harvestkansascity.org

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord gives us the desires of our hearts.  Having grown up playing sports year round and, on top of that, pursuing academic excellence at most any expense (which was not always as excellent as I would have liked), music had no place in my life.  As of my senior year, I had never received formal music instruction…until my family decided to move from rural Alabama into Birmingham, where I chose choir as an elective at my new school.  There, God placed in my life not only opportunities to explore my newly found interest in music, but also close friends who would challenge and help nourish my faith, which was still in its infant stages.

As I sang, my choir director recognized a sliver of talent, and recommended that I audition for the music program at the University of Alabama, where the course of my life would change forever.  Rather than playing sports and studying medicine, I immersed myself in learning music, began leading worship for campus ministries and in the local church, and travelled across the country in a worship band.  It was through these experiences that I began to recognize the unmistakable fruit God was producing through that which I enjoyed so much, and surrendered to God’s call of vocational ministry.

During my ministry experience, I’ve recognized the need for effective biblical counseling, and pursued a formal education through Liberty University.  I’ve also recognized the need for worship that is more than merely experiential, and richer than that which is solely doctrinal…today’s church is in desperate need of worshipers which offer to God that done in spirit, with all we are, and truth, according to all God has revealed Himself to be.  I seek every day to, first, be this kind of worshiper myself, and, further, to equip the church to worship authentically.

This is what brought me to Harvest…a church which is unapologetic in preaching the truth, and which seeks to worship passionately.  In April 2011, having learned, generally, of Harvest’s philosophy of ministry, and, specifically, of the need for a Worship Pastor at Harvest Kansas City, my wife and I were led to partner with Pastor Jeff Terrell in ministering here.

My wife, Kelly, and I, having met at the church we attended, were married in 2001 and are originally from Birmingham, Alabama.  Kelly is a stay-at-home mom and home-schools our four children, Josie, Judah, Jana-Klaire, and Shiloh.  I’m blessed to have Kelly serve alongside me as a singer/guitarist in our Worship Ministry.

For me, it’s interesting to look back over my life and recognize a dichotomy, as it were, which centers around my coming to faith in Christ.  Not only did God produce a stark contrast in my life spiritually, but He also replaced my interests.  Today, my heart’s desire is to see people come to know God, and to, in light of His character, lead the church to worship with all we are.