Harvest Church Pastor and Harvest House CEO Dan Minor Builds Community Through Faith and Service

Minor leads two local institutions - a church and a nonprofit - that provide housing, jobs, addiction recovery and food security for those in need.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dan Minor grew up inside Harvest Church and Harvest House, two local institutions with the same family roots but different roles - one a congregation, the other a nonprofit. Now 45, Minor leads both institutions, as the pastor at Harvest Church and as president and CEO of Harvest House. This dual role puts him at the intersection of faith, housing, mental health and a universal question that's more relevant than ever: Who gets to belong?

Why it matters

Minor's story highlights how faith-based organizations can play a vital role in addressing complex social issues like homelessness, addiction, and mental health in local communities. By combining the resources of a church with the services of a nonprofit, Harvest Church and Harvest House are able to provide a comprehensive approach to supporting vulnerable individuals and families.

The details

Harvest House, the nonprofit founded by Minor's parents in 1984, has grown to serve hundreds of adults and children annually through housing programs, community-based case management, a food pantry, and mental health services. In the last year, the food pantry served over 6,000 people, and 89% of housing clients exited with stable income. Meanwhile, Harvest Church has transformed under Minor's leadership, becoming a diverse congregation that is inclusive of LGBTQ individuals, despite facing backlash and a significant loss of members after Minor officiated a funeral for a victim of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.

  • Harvest Church and Harvest House were founded by Minor's parents in 1984.
  • In the early 1990s, Harvest House expanded its services to include addiction recovery programs.
  • In 2016, Minor officiated the funeral of a victim of the Pulse nightclub shooting, leading to a loss of 70-80% of Harvest Church's congregation and income.
  • In 2025, Harvest House served 545 adults and children through its housing programs and community-based case management.
  • In 2026, Harvest House is set to receive $2.5 million in federal funding to build a 25-unit affordable housing project called Lakeview Village.

The players

Dan Minor

The 45-year-old pastor of Harvest Church and president and CEO of Harvest House, the nonprofit founded by his parents in 1984.

Harvest Church

A local congregation that was founded by Dan Minor's parents in 1984 and is now led by Dan Minor as the pastor.

Harvest House

A nonprofit organization founded by Dan Minor's parents in 1984 that provides housing, jobs, addiction recovery, and food security services to the local community.

Erin Minor

Dan Minor's sister, who has spoken publicly about being gay and growing up evangelical, which shaped Dan's views on inclusivity.

Eddie Sotomayor

A classmate of Dan Minor's who was killed in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, which was a pivotal moment that led Minor to become more publicly inclusive of the LGBTQ community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For me, it was a place where 'misfits' felt normal. On the way to church, my dad would pick up people who didn't have rides. Some had brain injuries, trauma and things that made them 'different' in the eyes of the world. But in the car, they weren't different. They were family.”

— Dan Minor, Pastor, Harvest Church

“My sermons are often about harmful theological burdens that have been placed on people—shame, scarcity and fear. That shame turns into othering, separation and believing there isn't enough for all of us, so we have to cut people off—cut benefits, rights and belonging.”

— Dan Minor, Pastor, Harvest Church

“When it comes to human rights, we can't compromise, especially when it's not our rights.”

— Dan Minor, Pastor, Harvest Church

What’s next

Harvest House is set to receive $2.5 million in federal funding to build a 25-unit affordable housing project called Lakeview Village, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

The takeaway

Dan Minor's dual role as the pastor of Harvest Church and the CEO of Harvest House demonstrates how faith-based organizations can play a vital role in addressing complex social issues like homelessness, addiction, and mental health in local communities. By combining the resources of a church with the services of a nonprofit, Harvest Church and Harvest House are able to provide a comprehensive approach to supporting vulnerable individuals and families, while also fostering an inclusive and welcoming faith community.