Disciples Grow Community Gardens

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

When many people think “church,” images of sanctuaries, communion tables, and fellowship halls may come to mind. But for at least three Georgia Disciples congregations, church also looks like a garden, with church and community partnering together as God has given the growth. You’re invited to read on, be inspired, and consider how God is inviting your church to grow and be part of your community. 

Rev. Dr. Denise Bell

Gardeners Gather at Chestnut Ridge CC

Chestnut Ridge Christian Church launched the vision of CrossRoads Community Garden in April 2009 in Marietta, GA, with the help of member Debbie Abernathy, a Cobb Master Gardener. Eight people from the church gathered a month later on the church’s back property to construct three raised beds, mix soil, and to experiment to see if the gardens would actually grow anything! More beds were added the following year, and by Spring 2011 the garden officially became “CrossRoads Community Garden.” The church opened their efforts to the community, inviting the efforts of local Boy Scouts working on Eagle Scout projects to build the beds and engaging the community to come and lease plots. By that summer of 2011, they had built and leased 74 beds, maintained 8 “Feed the Hungry” beds which provided vegetables directly to local food pantries, and created a children’s garden area, grape vineyard, and a berry patch for a total of 85 beds. Over the years, these partnerships have also built a garden shed, composting bins, picnic tables, benches, an arbor, and a Memorial Garden. 

According to Rev. Byron Wells, Senior Pastor, since then, the church has provided thousands of pounds of produce for local pantries in the area, including First Christian Church of Marietta’s food pantry, MUST Ministries, Center for Family Resources, and the NE Cobb YMCA summer feeding program. Gardeners who lease beds also donate 10% of their harvest to local food pantries. CrossRoads Community Garden is a community affair, with the church working with partners including Boy and Girl Scout Troops, the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Department, the Master Gardner Program of Cobb County, and a multitude of community gardeners (there is often a waiting list to lease plots) who enjoy not only working in their beds, but also the fellowship of helping others. Learn more about CrossRoads Community Garden here. 

New Hope CC Gardens Feed Those in Need

The first growing season for the Oakland Community Garden at New Hope Christian Church, in Lawrenceville, GA was spring 2020 – just in time for the start of a pandemic. Even so, according to Jennifer Genzy, one of the early dreamers for this project, the timing belonged to God. The church board had approved the project in November 2019, just over a year after she had approached Rev. James Shelton, Senior Pastor, about the idea. By early 2020, the irrigation system was in, and plans were made to construct and fill 23 raised beds. “That’s when the stay-at-home order was received, and our plans were modified. We had less bodies which turned out to be a huge blessing. It took a few weeks to get the beds built, filled with dirt, and the fence built, but as more people became comfortable coming outside, we got it done,” recalled Jennifer. 

A core group of about 8-12 church and community volunteers, with many others helping out in other ways (including raising seedlings at home in late winter and early spring as part of the “Foster Plant Program”), keep the garden running and the produce delivered to those in need between April and October. In 2022, they delivered 323 lbs. of food (482 bags) to Baggett Elementary School, which was then distributed to approximately 70 families in need between June and September. During the same period, they delivered 348 lbs. (575 bags) to Lawrenceville Co-Op, which was distributed to approximately 150 families. Another 30 families (church members at home, local firehouse, and others) also received about 250 lbs. of food through the season. Each bag of food contains about 2 servings – green beans, okra, 1 large butternut squash, 3 large tomatoes, a pint container of cherry tomatoes, 2 small eggplants, etc.  

According to Jennifer, because the garden grows vegetables for those in need, most of the raised beds are used for that purpose, although there are 3 beds available for lease, and a Children’s Garden where anyone can pick and take vegetables. Another important feature of the garden is that it is completely self-supporting, funded by two big craft fairs hosted by the church, one in the fall and one in the spring, as well as some grants. About 40 area craft artists and vendors, along with garden plants, a bake sale, kids’ activities and more, will be part of the April 29 Spring Craft Fair, from 10 am to 4 pm.  

Thanks to church and community volunteers, Oakland Community Garden is thriving, with 500-plus peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, flowers, and herbs seedlings already being fostered until planting time, and radishes and peas in the ground. However, whatever the season, according to Jennifer, “The vision to serve has remained constant.” Learn more about Oakland Community Garden here. 

Amplify CC Grows a Community

Amplify Christian Church, a new Georgia Disciples church with a virtual congregation that meets Wednesday evenings, also is growing community, partnerships, and a garden at the Shiloh Mission and Ministry Center, located at the former Shiloh Christian Church in Snellville, GA. Led by Rev. Orlando Scott, the church has focused its work on themes around land, climate, eco-justice, food insecurity, and sustainability. From June 2020 through December 2021, Amplify CC partnered with Gwinnett County to distribute 200 boxes of produce each month. Seeded by this project, Amplify went on to work with community members to grow collards with a fall/ winter garden in late 2021/ early 2022. In the spring /summer of 2022, they grew okra, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and watermelon. The garden is named Bese Saka, meaning “abundance” in Adinkra, the visual language of the Asante people of the Gold Coast of West Africa. 

But in addition to abundant fresh produce, the gardens also grew an abundance of intergenerational relationships among the gardeners, ranging in age from 12 to 94 years old. The community garden demonstrated the church embrace of the South African Bantu philosophy ubuntu, “I am because we are, and we are because I am.”

Currently, Amplify CC is growing into a new stage with their garden, having recently partnered with a site manager, Katherine Juhan Arnold, owner of Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen. This non-profit Snellville grower has a mission to bring low-income neighborhoods together through gardening and providing fresh fruits and vegetables to people who typically cannot afford organic produce. They also offer growing workshops, CSA’s, and much more. Bese Saka needs volunteers; to learn more contact Amplify CC here.