On Friday, October 14, 2022, a delegation from The Black Church Food Security Network traveled to Stonecrest, Georgia to visit New Birth Missionary Baptist Church led by Baltimore native, Pastor Jamal H. Bryant. We helped New Birth establish their church garden, which they call ‘The Garden of Eden,” in 2000. The 2500-square-foot garden grows a variety of produce including okra, sweet potatoes, and various greens. Pastor Carla Stokes, Elder Marlon Pilson and garden ministry stalwart, Ms. Fannie, greeted us alongside other members of their ministry team. We were greatly inspired not only by what their garden is growing today, but by the plans that they have for expansion.
In addition to touring their garden, we were also given the opportunity to check out the inner workings of their food distribution program called The King’s Table. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2000, the church has provided free groceries to 1,000,000 people. They reached the milestone of a million people served, the same weekend of our visit.
Our team with be working with New Birth to acquire financial investment and technical assistance that will not only expand their garden next year, but will transfer the momentum of their food charity ministry into an operation that builds “food power” for the people of DeKalb County and beyond!
