San Francisco
In March 1994, Pastors Mark and Esther celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary by vacationing in San Francisco. While enjoying the warmer weather, they began to talk about their future and whether they thought they might ever leave Pittsburgh. They both affirmed their desire to continue to do God's will, in Pittsburgh or anywhere He would lead.

God's Leading
During the ensuing months, the thoughts regarding moving were constantly on their minds. As these thoughts persisted, they began to take it to prayer. God began to show them it was time to move. In order to be doubly certain they were hearing correctly, they spent two more months in prayer. Many lives would be affected by this move, thus it was imperative to be certain of God's leading. Once the decision was made to leave Pittsburgh and move to California, preparations began.

Preparing for Change
Prayer now focused on preparing the people for this change and to find the right replacement to tend the flock at Pittsburgh. Pastors Mark and Esther both felt impressed to talk with a pastor in a nearby town who had been their assistant pastor for five years. They asked him and his wife to pray about becoming pastor of Pittsburgh Christian Fellowship. After about a month seeking the Lord on this, they both agreed to pastor the Pittsburgh church and came on staff. Other staff members were the first to be informed of the impending change and then the School of Ministry students were informed also. In mid July, the congregation was told that the pastors would be resigning as of July 31st.

Stockton, California
While stopping to eat in Stockton, Pastor Mark and Esther knew that this was the city that God had called them to. God's favor was upon them when He supplied a home for them within two days. God spoke to their hearts and said that Stockton was a city whose builder and maker was God.

God's Favor
God's favor continued to make a way. Once the family was moved to Stockton, Pastor Mark found a building in the Morada Shopping Center. The building was leased and a meeting place for Harvest Bible Church was established.

Luke 4:18 & Harvest Bible Church
The first meeting had 26 people in attendance. Pastor Mark ministered on Luke 4:18, the scripture the Lord gave them concerning Harvest Bible Church.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."

An invitation was given to "set at liberty them that were bruised", and many responded. God is so good!