"John, I need help... please help me." That's all Mike could say as he stood on my porch one bitter cold night in January. I met Mike over ten years ago in another recovery program and invested hundreds of hours in conversation with him. I’ve seen him at his best and what I thought was his worst. Here’s his story of moving towards freedom after years of addiction, prison, and poverty.

With the launch of our Homework Club just around the corner (how is it almost Back to School time already?), we have so much to get done. Here are some key ways you can help underserved youth with education support through this new Greenhouse project!

Hard to believe just one year ago we went full time… and with that we celebrate a special one year anniversary! Here's a look back at the major ways God moved us forward and the impact of your support in Chester.

One of the cornerstones of Greenhouse Project is addiction recovery and, thanks to generous donor support, it is provided free to recovering addicts in Chester. YOU have directly impacted the lives of 42 addicts (and counting…) who have gotten sober in the last 6 months! Here’s how we do it, and why our model is different.

Over 42 clients have gotten sober so far this year because of your giving to our addiction recovery program. Incredible! To be honest, the reality of the recovery process is often messy and heart breaking. As we share what our program looks like in the coming weeks, we start with the Top 3 Truths About Recovery.

Our new after-school homework club launches in Sept. to offer education support and extra tutoring help for kids in our area using a mentorship model that builds personal growth. We are prayerfully seeking volunteers and educators with a heart for at-risk youth to join our team. Will YOU join the club?

God has called us to be the sower of the seed and to depend on him to do the growth. Our ministry job is to keep praying, keep sharing and to be there whenever someone needs support. As we are intentional about getting into the streets to pray, meet people and invite neighbors to an event or for dinner, I sometimes wonder if we are really making an impact. Nothing surprised us more than this next story.

Get to know our newest and recently ordained Pastor on staff: Donny Martin. He was an original when Greenhouse Project first launched, and we are so grateful for his contributions so far. Congratulations and welcome!

Not only do we help people grow, but we’ve been busy growing fruits, vegetables and flowers as part of a new community garden that encourages neighbors to connect hands-on and contribute to a common positive, life-giving resource.

This Easter we are sharing the restoration, hope, and the gift of new life in Christ with Chester this season as we live among those we serve. While the pandemic has brought our town to new levels of struggle – isolation, poverty, education fallout, heavier drug use – we recognize that people need hope. Real lasting hope.

Did you know: Greenhouse Project gives an average of 1200 lbs of fresh food each week to our neighbors, local ministries and retirement communities! Learn how our friends at Small Things are helping us change our community one truck load at a time.

The biggest takeaway as I celebrate 14 years sober is: RECOVERY MATTERS. Recovery matters b/c changed lives go on to inspire others to get clean. We have all been affected by addiction. Our addiction coaching program is busier than ever, and we see the need. Celebrate recovery with us by becoming a monthly Recovery Sponsor! The longterm benefit of a monthly gift towards recovery is profound.

Do you need to be reminded today how small things have great influence? Be encouraged by Jesus’ illustration comparing a small amount of yeast, put inside gallons of flour, to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Do you like to garden? Are you good at DIY projects or fixing things around the house? We could use your help! Come see why Greenhouse Project volunteers love to help us grow.

Sometimes I ask God to bring us tons of snow, no matter the time of year. It brings a perfect peace that covers over everything, and has a way of making almost everything stop, slow down and relax. I’m praying the following story of my friend Joe encourages you… in the midst of a terminal health prognosis, his response shows an assurance of the peace of God like new fallen snow.

What a year to be thriving! In 2020, Greenhouse was able to share the gospel and pray with 876 people via our micro-church and 346 neighbors at outreach events. Over 75 families received food and 35 kids got toys over Christmas. Here’s how your generosity plus God’s work added up to create real life change.

Happy 2021! Thank you so much for keeping us going through prayer, giving, volunteering and sharing our vision with others. There’s more work to be done! Here’s what God has put on our hearts this new year.

When Emily and I dreamt about Greenhouse Project, we envisioned and prayed about a community where our home would be a safe place that all could come. We called it, “A City of Refuge.” Imagine getting kicked out of your house after experiencing trauma? Where would you go at 11:39pm if you needed help?

As we think about giving and receiving, we’re sharing this story of Mrs. S. and her struggle to feed her household of 10 for the month. What’s small for some is a game changer for others… $242 was our best “yes” when we responded without hesitation to her call for help.

Waking up the Saturday of Project Clean-up last month, a day we set out to clean the trash overwhelming our streets and connect with neighbors, we knew it was going to be a busy day.