Our Story

The conception of Harvest A.M. E. Church took place in the spirit of Rev. Patricia S. Wallace in 1992. For the next five (5) years after her ordination in the A.M. E Church, she carried the vision. There were many times when she thought that the vision would be aborted because of the many trials she suffered. Little did she realize that the trials came to make her stronger, and to give her strength to carry the dream until God's time of delivery.

On March 12, 1997, at the home of Rev. Wallace, the miracle birth took place and Harvest was born. Around the bedside, with songs, prayer, and the reading of the Holy Word, the family members and the dedicated friends nurtured by the Holy Spirit watched the miracle birth unfold. There were six (6) original members who had committed themselves to the ministry of Harvest.

On March 30, 1997, Harvest held its first service at 360 East Main Street, in the City of Pahokee. At that service, 12 were present and the service ended with a prayer, "that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth laborers into his Harvest", and the 12 became the first members. The first month the Lord of the Harvest sent forth 31 new laborers into his Harvest to add to the 12 totaling 43 (25 Adults and 18 youth). Since the birth of Harvest, 12 ministries have been established: Trustees, Stewards, Stewardesses, Usher Board, Adult choir, Youth choir, Young People Department, Christian Education Department, Women's Missionary Society, Son's of Allen, Lay Organization and Pastor's Aide. Harvest succeeded in the will of God.

The required documents for incorporation were submitted. With the church walking by faith and not by sight, God blessed the congregation with a holy sanctuary, HARVEST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. With the membership at 43 Harvest was accepted into the Eleventh Episcopal District, South Florida Conference under the leadership of Bishop Frank C. Cummings. On October 11, 1997 Harvest was placed in the Fort Pierce District under the leadership of Presiding Elder C. Hunt. After being accepted into the Annual Conference, the Harvest family began to make pledges for the purchase of a sanctuary. Twenty members and friends of Harvest made $500 pledges to satisfy the down payment on the prospective property they contracted to buy. However, the seller did not accept the offer.

On February 26, 1998, less than one year later, Harvest signed the final contract to purchase a sanctuary for Worship, 825 Larrimore Road, Pahokee, Florida. The agreement contracts were signed more than six month prior. God, in his own time, blessed the Harvest family and, one full year later at the first anniversary service, the record reflected a membership of 74. To God be all the Glory, for progress was not measured by members; but, by the love of God who had given us richly all the things to enjoy.

Ten months after the purchase of the new sanctuary, the Harvest family prepared for the dedica- tion of the new sanctuary. Membership had now doubled, more than 140 had united in the Christian fami- ly. On December 27, 1998, Bishop Frank C. Cummings and the 11th Episcopal District gathered for the purpose of dedicating God's House. On April 9, 2000, the Eleventh Episcopal District gathered once again at Harvest for the laying of the cornerstone, with Bishop Frank C. Cummings presiding. On Sep- tember 18, 2001, Harvest was blessed to liquidate the mortgage of the church and, in four years, the five- year plan was complete. On March 2, 2002, Bishop John Hurst Adams and the Eleventh Episcopal Dis- trict were summoned once again as history continued to unfold for the "Burning of the Mortgage".

After 21 years of ministry under the leadership of the founder, The Rev. Patricia S. Wallace, God saw fit to allow the mantle to be passed. Be it etched in the archives of Harvest that on March 16, 2018 at the 2018 Mid-Year conference of the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson certified that The Rev. Robin-Dixon Floyd was assigned to Harvest African Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Floyd and family worshipped as the first family of Harvest on Sunday, March 18, 2018. During the year of transition Rev. Floyd through the guidance of the Holy Spir- it, has engaged Harvest in a Strategic Planning vision casting session, rebranded the vision and logo, de- veloped a five (5) year plan, replaced the roof damaged by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017, ob- tained an $8,800 beautification grant for Larrimore Road from the City of Palm Beach County, estab- lished the Intercessory Prayer and Women and Men's Ministries, and liquidated $17,000 in debt.

The story of Harvest AME Church continues. A daughter comes home. The mantle has passed once again to continue the legacy of Harvest AME Church. On September 29, 2023, at the 133rd Session of the South Annual Conference of the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III, appointed The Rev Sonya J. McIntosh to Harvest AME Church. Since the return we have now added two ministries to the House of Hope to continue to evangelizes and prepare our children for Kingdom building: Crown with Purpose and Harvest Seeds of Hope.

The prophetic Proclamation spoken over the life of Rev. McIntosh has come to fruition. On October 3, 2023, The McIntosh team returned to Harvest. God's vision to Rev. McIntosh for Harvest is to restore Hope in the Church and the community. Harvest African Methodist Episcopal Church is now known as "The House of Hope."

On March 8, 2026 Harvest will officially celebrate 29 years of ministry to God's people in Pahokee and the world. The miraculous birth of March 12, 1997 will forever be recorded as the beginning of Harvest African Methodist Episcopal Church and shall remain a part of the church records. The ministry and lives impacted through the hands and sacrifices of labors of love will forever be a testament to the grace and love of God. This is our story.