About us

Our Purpose

The Harvest Time International Leaders Fellowship is a coalition of Christian Leaders with offices ranging from the Office of the Apostle to Teachers (Bible Scholars). Leaders who are anointed to function in one or all of the five-fold offices; as gifts to the Body of Christ, for the intent, and purpose, of perfecting shepherds and leaders. The fellowship has been destined to reach, teach and mentor these shepherds and leaders. This coalition is only for those shepherds and leaders, who recognize the need for Covenant Fathering.

About HTILF

Harvest Time Christian Center is a church, which is Apostolic in its corporate anointing and understanding. God has caused us to walk through many things, which have made us very sensitive to Leaders and their families. The heart of this ministry is to reach the lost and strengthen the believing. In order to accomplish this task we find it necessary to reach out to Leaders, by imparting, mentoring and counseling them in the Word of God and through iron - sharpening - iron relationships. This is why Harvest Time International Leaders Fellowship was started, under the Leadership of Apostle Robert L. Covington.

HTILF (Harvest Time International Leaders Fellowship) promotes interdependency while encouraging the maintenance of distinct, independent identities. It is a forum for strong networking and establishes strong relationships by inviting and accepting diverse ethnic backgrounds and experiences.

As in all things, the Fellowship is committed to maintaining the highest integrity towards each other in all forms of communication.

Apostolic Oversight

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1 the apostle Paul said; our coming to you was not in vain. The word "vain" expresses the hollowness of anything; Paul was saying their work was not void of content or power.

This word could also be translated "empty-handed.” Paul was saying; we didn't come to take something away from you but to bring you something. This is the heart of apostolic oversight. It has nothing to do with what the apostle "receives" from the church; it has everything to do with what apostolic oversight brings to the church.

Apostolic oversight:

Is not a means for personal kingdom building. The issue is not quantity - "How many churches do you have in your network?"

The issue is the quality of care for the local church and love for the saints.

Is not about money. It is not "a pretext for greed " (1Thess. 2:5). Paul denies that he ever used his ministry as a secret means of enriching himself. Apostolic oversight is not multi-level marketing for church planters where all resources work their way to the top. Is not about human glory; "I'm Apostle so and so". Paul said; we have never sought honor from men, from you or from anybody else (1Thess. 2:6). Paul, here, is repudiating personal ambition. Paul never used his preaching to gain the honor, recognition and approval that men give.

Is not micro-managing the church. Paul actually did have authority, but he never abused it. Even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority (1Thess. 2:6). The only authority that exists in the church is Christ's authority. True apostles are not authoritarian or controlling. Authority is always to be used for the benefit of those under it, never for the personal benefit of those exercising it.

True apostolic oversight has to do with the function of a "father". Seeing the church as a father would see his own children. Operating in unconditional love, care and support, with the intention of training his children to be men and women of God, who would one day step into the role of fathering.      

The Apostle sees the church as a father would see his own children. Operating in unconditional love, care and support, with the intention of training his children to be men and women of God, who would one day step into the role of fathering.

As we know, caring for children can be tiring work. Paul said; You remember brethren, our labor and toil, laboring day and night (1 Thess. 2:9). 

True apostles will faithfully proclaim “The Gospel of God" without alteration or substitution, preparing the next generation to do the same.

Apostolic oversight is foundational. Paul said; I have laid a foundation and another builds on it (1 Cor. 3:10). The foundation of a building is out of sight, but it is the key to the stability and growth of the structure built on it. Many churches today have faulty foundations and as a result they continually struggle with the same problems. Jesus Christ himself is the Chief Cornerstone of the foundation (Eph. 2:20). Everything the church is and does has to be rightly related to Christ, because the church belongs to Him.

It is part of New Testament Christianity that churches are to be built up, equipped and matured through ongoing relationship with the five-fold ministry gifts. While in the first century this was done primarily through relationship with the apostles who initially founded the churches, today many churches are discovering the importance of relating to apostles who may not have pioneered the church, yet provide a rich source of wisdom and strength through ongoing relationship. This is accomplished when a church moves beyond merely having fellowship and receiving ministry from apostles, into the place of identifying, recognizing and receiving oversight from an apostolic ministry. This can only occur  where a relationship of trust has been established between a church and an apostolic ministry. Such a relationship takes time to establish.

The Benefits Of Apostolic Covering

There is no reason for a church to have an apostolic covering if the church doesn't benefit from the relationship. If the only one receiving benefits is the apostle, something is wrong. Following are some areas that a church and its leaders should receive benefit from apostolic covering:

• Counsel - In vision, helping to define it, refine it and articulate it. In doctrine, to help deal with doctrinal issues confronting a church or causing division in the church. In church discipline, this is especially helpful in difficult cases to avoid personal attacks against leadership when a member needs discipline.
• Protection - This is to provide an atmosphere of safety and security for both the pastor and the people. To protect the people- if a leader falls into error or sin or becomes dictatorial, the congregation knows they have someone to appeal to, helping to avoid a church split. To protect the pastor - At times the Pastor needs someone to speak on his behalf. He needs protection against false accusations. 
• Accountability - Having apostolic covering gives the pastor someone to be accountable to, someone to talk to, relate to and just sound off to.
• Confirmation - Apostolic covering can be used to confirm and ordain elders and other 5-fold gifts in the church. Having someone else to interview and confirm candidates for ministry can provide an objective view that is often missing in independent churches.
• Encouragement - Visits by apostolic covering can bring encouragement and blessing to a local church.
• Commitment - Apostolic covering doesn't work unless there is a level of commitment by a pastor and congregation.

 Every pastor knows the value and importance of commitment in the local church. A level of commitment is needed if you're going to entrust someone with ministry responsibility in the local church. As an apostolic network we have come to realize that there are some basic commitments a pastor and local church need to make to fully benefit from apostolic oversight.