Most Churches’ vision is to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:16-20) and glorify God in everything (1 Corinthians 10:31). Yet the Church’s involvement in programs that would help the physical needs is minimal. The Great Commission is not propositional evangelism; instead, it was supposed to mean following everything Jesus taught. Jesus fed his followers spiritually and physically. Therefore, the Great Commission passage should help us follow Jesus’s ministry model. The Good News to a needy person might be food and clothing.
Lack of training about poverty eradication in Churches might have contributed to not having active programs dealing with issues of poverty. Some church leaders may be ignorant and not realize the need for holistic ministry. Others still may misapprehend the scriptures. It should be noted that the command of the Great Commission is as relevant and urgent today as it was when Jesus gave it to the disciples.
The establishment of the Garden Church is to be an example of a relevant Church that will be impactful in the 21st Century. While we do not refute that the traditional Sunday Church is significant, we tend to believe that it can be more effective if they embrace the holistic ministry. In the few years the Garden Church has existed, we can attest that it has been a great source of a realistic solution to get involved in dealing with poverty among the congregants and community.
Many people are still adamant about the new idea of doing Church, but if well utilized, the Garden Church concept can empower church leaders. The few people who have benefitted from our programs have proved the need for holistic ministry. As someone once said, Good News to a hungry person could only be food. So, we feel called to be the good news to the less fortunate.
We hope the Garden Church method will inspire Church leadership in Kenya and beyond to realize the need for empowerment. It will be our joy to see many denominations embracing the holistic approach.
The Garden Church house
Working in the field
Food is a key component in Garden Church
Everything starts and ends with the Word of God
Leading by example
Empowering the Youth.Kijabe boys visiting our Rabbit Project.
A pastor with a lasting difference- Rev Simon
