Global Harvest Bible Church is one of South County’s newest
religious groups. This growing congregation, which marked its first
anniversary last summer, specializes in teaching members all about
faith:
”
the victory that overcomes the world.
”
Global Harvest Bible Church is one of South County’s newest religious groups. This growing congregation, which marked its first anniversary last summer, specializes in teaching members all about faith: “the victory that overcomes the world.”
The church’s pastor, Rev. Tony Fleege, has an interesting background. The Illinois grew up in an unchurched family until he was “born again” at the age of 13. In his early 20s he “felt a hunger for God” and moved to the Tulsa, Okla., area to attend RHEMA Bible Training Center. In 1992 he and his wife, Alexandra, graduated and were ordained ministers.
Fleege then served Word of Life Church in Dubuque, Iowa, for five years in many capacities, ending his ministry there as associate pastor.
Feeling a call to serve as missionaries, the Fleeges then attended DOMATA School of Missions, also near Tulsa, graduating in 1997. This prepared them for four years of ministry in Brazil. Their work there included “pioneering two Bible schools and a ministry home for street kids.”
In the fall of 2001 the couple returned to the United States so Alexandra could live with her parents in Redwood City while she prepared to give birth to their first child, Juliana, who is now a year old. While in the area, Tony heard through a mutual friend about a small Gilroy group seeking a pastor.
As he explored the situation, Fleege became convinced God was calling him to establish a ministry in Gilroy. He began in September of 2001 by conducting home Bible studies; soon the group was able to rent a small store-front on Monterey Street. It has grown so large now that they now hold Sunday worship services in the Gaslighter Theater, a location that the pastor calls ‘”not your typical church setting” – a country-western motif with a bar along one wall.
In September of 2002 the church opened its International Bible Training Center, offering a two-year series of classes which establish the believers on the Word of God, equip the believers to do the work of ministry and help each student find their destiny and purpose.
Course offerings include Fundamentals of Faith, Biblical Prosperity, Submission and Authority, Bible Doctrine, and Gifts of the Spirit.
The Global Harvest Bible Church office is located in Gilroy at 7432 Monterey Street. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. with simultaneous Sunday School classes for children ages 2 through 12. The Plus One youth group meets for ages 12 to 18 at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and Bible study is at 6 p.m. Thursdays.
Pastor Fleege says he feels at home in Gilroy because “the businesses and people are friendly, kind and generous.” He invites local residents to visit the church: “If you want to know more about God and experience his power and love, come with the expectation to hear from God, and you won’t be disappointed.”
For more information call 842-5880 or check the Internet at www.globalfmi.org.
