While many rural churches in the Global South remain dependent on Western financial aid, EFI’s training approach offers these churches the possibility of becoming financially independent. The trainings equip church leaders to disciple their members to practice fruitful stewardship of their land and resources.
For example, a small church that, giving out of their need, only brings together $6-10 per month and relies on Western giving to take care of their needs, can experience a total shift in financial state. With just a portion of their land, members of the church can become food secure and financially stable in such a way that the church can support its own pastor and even achieve community outreach goals.
As we expect the church’s exponential growth in the Majority World in the next few decades, and possibly the decline of the Western church in that time, it is imperative to help our brothers and sisters use their land well to become financially stable, and even prosperous.
Recognizing the heavy reliance on Western funding that has historically been a part of the ministry landscape in these regions, it becomes clear that sustainable ministry in the Majority World necessitates a shift. This shift involves helping church members rise above subsistence living and transforming them into dynamic, Kingdom-focused financial engines, capable of not only supporting their own church but also contributing to the strengthening and expansion of the global Church.
Feeding the kingdom, physically and spiritually.
In regions across the Majority World, which encompasses areas with ideal agricultural climates, vast expanses of farmable land, and predominantly young, able-bodied populations, there lies incredible potential to address global food security challenges as the world's population continues to grow.
The agricultural capabilities in these regions have the potential to not only feed their own populations but also serve as a significant contributor to the global food supply. This potential makes them integral to addressing the food needs of an increasingly populous planet.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the Majority World, including but not limited to Africa, will witness substantial growth of Christianity. This growth could potentially position these regions as centers of Christianity, fostering spiritual nourishment and growth on a global scale.
In light of these circumstances, the Church in the Majority World can play an invaluable dual role in addressing both physical and spiritual needs. Equipping Farmers International (EFI), in collaboration with local churches and other ministry partners, recognizes the interconnectedness of agricultural development and church growth in these regions. We work diligently to provide comprehensive training in conservation agriculture methods, empowering farming families to not only sustainably provide for their households but also to steward their lands effectively.
This holistic approach, addressing both physical sustenance and spiritual well-being, reflects the potential for transformative change across the Majority World, where agricultural abundance and spiritual growth intersect to create a brighter future for communities and the world at large.