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What happens when churches embrace agriculture as ministry? Frank Sindler, Executive Director of Equipping Farmers International, reveals how biblical farming principles are transforming both landscapes and lives across the Global South.
The numbers tell a striking story: approximately 70-80% of Christians in developing nations are farmers, yet for decades, mission efforts have overlooked this crucial aspect of discipleship. While churches planted throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America continue growing rapidly, many struggle with chronic food insecurity and dependence on Western funding. This disconnect between faith and farming has limited the church's ability to demonstrate Christ's redemptive power in tangible ways.
Frank shares remarkable stories of transformation from multiple countries where EFI works. Farmers implementing conservation agriculture principles consistently see four to five-fold yield increases in their very first growing season—without expensive inputs. These dramatic improvements enable families to pay for education and healthcare while empowering local churches to fund their own ministry initiatives. In Liberia, one church network is already on track to replace half its outside funding with local agricultural revenue.
Perhaps most surprising is the evangelistic impact. Without explicit proselytizing, these farming programs consistently lead to conversions among Muslims, Hindus, and adherents of traditional religions. As Frank explains, "Creation is like a doorway into God's heart." When people witness barren soil transformed into abundance through principles that honor the Creator's design, they naturally encounter the God behind those principles. Even an 85-year-old lifelong Christian described the training as "life-changing."
The implications for global mission strategy are profound. As tens of millions come to faith in previously unreached regions, agricultural discipleship offers a sustainable pathway forward, unlocking local resources that far exceed what external support could provide. It challenges our compartmentalized thinking that separates "sacred" from "secular" activities, demonstrating that Christ's redemption extends to our relationship with creation itself.
Ready to get involved? Visit www.efi-intl.org to learn about training opportunities, internships, and how your financial support can equip farmers to feed both bodies and souls.

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