Africa Projects
Preparing the Way Ministries
Preparing the Way Ministries has asked AgConnect Ministries to partner with them in bringing agricultural education to the ag community of Kenya. By increasing farmer incomes, a family can better feed themselves and with the leftovers they will have tithes and offerings to support the local church which enriches communities and spreads the Gospel.
Randy and Bonnie Martin from Petra church in New Holland, PA are directors of Preparing the Way Ministries. Their vision is that building healthy farmers builds healthy churches, and healthy churches builds healthy Godly communities. Preparing the Way Ministries’ main emphasis is evangelism and training pastors to become better pastors.
They have asked AgConnect Ministries to help expand their vision and bring practical information so that farmers can move ahead. AgConnect has been participating in an annual pastors’ training conference which is 4 days of intensive training for pastors in all aspects of church leadership. Agricultural training to pastors along with printed material is a way to reach many farmers.
Randy and Bonnie have built a great team of both Kenyans and Americans to help not only with pastoral care but building on the vision that God gave them. One of the visions we are pursuing together is to develop a model farm where Kenyans can come and stay as interns and learn better business and agricultural skills. While this sounds like a big project, it is, but to have a place where Kenyans can come for a week or two for intensive training is extremely valuable.
Preparing the Way Ministries holds other conferences which are only for farmers and agribusiness. We work along with a member of the Kenyan team, Alex, a local in-country nutritionist and veterinarian; together we bring needed training that fits the culture and agronomics of Kenya.
We will always strive to help communities bring more income, give them hope and encouragement, and present the truths that God loves them and cares for them deeply and that HOPE is found in Jesus alone.
There are many ways to do this, and as our team navigates the complexity of the many variables that we cannot change, such as weather, politics, and old unbiblical mindsets, we ask for prayer for wise decisions and divine influence.