From a backyard to the nations

After just a few meetings, the idea of something more permanent took hold. The group rented facilities in the area for weekly gatherings, and eventually constructed a building on Wright Road just outside Pickerington. The church kept growing and required a larger building on the same property.

Finally, the church — then known as Word of Life — purchased property on Gender Road in southeast Franklin County and built what is now WHC on what had been a corn field. When the new building was dedicated, the congregation was named World Harvest Church in honor of Dr. Lester Sumrall, who had befriended Pastor Rod Parsley some years earlier and had became the young pastor’s mentor.

Today, more than thousands of people in central Ohio will tell you World Harvest is their church home. At every WHC service you’ll find a family-friendly congregation of Spirit-filled believers in Jesus Christ, representing every age, ethnic group and walk of life.