The History of
Highway Harvester Ministries

This is where it all started

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Highway Harvesters (HHM) began in May 1990 by copying and distributing a total of 12 tapes. It has since grown to distribute thousands upon thousands of  tapes to truckers and others all over the world .  Ours tapes are distributed into over 100 third world countries via other ministries as well as being translated into several foreign languages for ministering throughout the world.

Highway Harvesters has many other ministries which assist in ministering to truck drivers.  From six churches we receive most of our messages.   We assist other ministries with  labels, master messages, and provide assistance in receiving material.

There are two churches in West Memphis, Arkansas who have started a ministry to the truckers complete with a chapel set up by the truck stops and supplying them Highway Harvesters taped messages.  This is a need that has not been met until now. Most truck drivers do not have the opportunity to stop at a church for a Sunday service if they could even get their trucks in the parking lot, so we take the church to them by way of a tape. They can pick their own time to have church in the sanctuary of their own truck. If they would like fellowship with other believers they can make their way to the chapels set up by ministries at the truck stops. They can listen to the tape several times if they wish, take it home to their loved ones, pass it on to other individuals or leave it at a table for the next traveler.

Through HHM's ministry, many souls have been saved, some we know about, many we will never know about. We have heard of marriages being put back together and whole families being saved. We know of an elderly man accepting Christ because our tape was given to him at the right time, then he passed away three months later. Another man we heard from listened to a tape, stopped his truck and got down on his knees and asked Jesus into his heart right on the interstate. We receive many prayer requests on our Watts line. We have led many to the Lord. All of our affiliated churches have received mail from all across the United States, many wanting more messages and others wanting prayer.

We are supported by several church mission boards. Approximately 33% is by churches but the remaining 67% is by drivers and private contributions from across the nation. All tapes are free to truckers and travelers.  We are a non-profit organization and all work is done by volunteers.

We would appreciate your support in prayer.

Thank you for viewing our web page and we welcome your comments.

 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Almost twenty years ago this ministry started with a little seed. As most of you know, everything is for a season.  Our season is coming to an end. We have distributed thousands upon thousands of messages both here in the United States and abroad. The ministry has touched lives around the world. The messages have been aired in the Philippines and all over Africa. In the last two years, millions have heard our local Pastors proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ on foreign radio and television.

Through the years, we've seen many new ministries start from our seed. The Lord has blessed them as he did us. They are growing and spreading the gospel. We have shared addresses and contacts throughout the world. The testimonies are endless. We have had so many faithful helpers over the years. Their fingerprints are on the mission fields of the world. How can we thank them for all the time and energy they have given to the Lord's Kingdom. We have just shipped two cases of bibles to Hands for Christ for overseas distribution. We are working on our final distribution of tapes and CD’s. This will be several thousand messages going out. We will not start another shipment.

LaWanda and I are stepping down, due to our declining health. This has been a difficult decision for those of us that started with this vision and brought it to fruition but one that had to be made.  One of our plankholders, Jessie Jenkins was with us from the beginning and Eddie shortly thereafter.

(*) We will incorporate this ministry into others that are doing similar ministries around the globe. As of this letter I'm asking our Pastors and individual supporters to redirect their financial support to other ministries or missionaries and stop distribution to Highway Harvesters of all resources. This is by no means saying all of the volunteers and workers are not going to serve the Lord. We are just going to do a more local ministry.

In His service,
Ira Thornsberry

*Note - The Highway Harvester Ministry continues with the desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The location has changed but the mission remains the same.  We do NEED your help and support. Reference the main page for new location.  Most of all we ask you to pray for the ministry and those called to this effort.