I have known Geoff, a member of a church in Relational Mission, for many years and have always recognised that he has a huge heart for those who are poor or in need. I have watched with great interest as he has acquired and developed what is now called the Pathways Care Farm in East Anglia, UK. Two years ago I had the real joy and privilege of visiting as subsequently reported on this blog. I believe he and his team have set a model for helping people that others could emulate and it is for that reason that I asked him to write for my blog.
There for the one
Jesus was always ‘there for the one’. So are we! But let me first give you some background.
Having been involved with church and building community for many years I understand that everything we do that has value is motivated by God’s love and made possible through the equipping of the Holy Spirit.
I have travelled to various parts of the world and done my best to serve the poor: supporting street kids in Romania, building water wells and a medical unit in South Central Sudan, raising money to rebuild a fishing village in Sri Lanka after the Tsunami… I have been part of a church plant into a poor area just south of London… I have also run a graphic design business for almost 40 years and served clients such as The Royal Opera/Royal Ballet, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Nomura Bank and the Barbican Centre.
My dad worked in criminal defence and I grew up mixing with top barristers and high court judges as well many top criminals. If anything, my upbringing taught me that everyone is equal and we should never ‘judge a book by its cover’. Everyone has a value and everyone has a story.
A change of direction
In 2014 I had become rather disenchanted with the ‘corporate world’ and wanted to do something more meaningful with my life. A few years earlier I had become friends with Keith Hazell, a man with a significant prophetic gift and credibility, who told me I should grow vegetables! I started to grow a few spuds and onions in my garden and quickly realised what a wonderful, amazing thing that was to do and how good it made me feel.
Through a number of seemingly insignificant situations and conversations my wife and I found ourselves in a position to tender for a 13-acre (5½-hectare) derelict farm a mile from our home which the County Council wanted to be a care farm.
I have some amazing friends who not only put up with but actually encourage my idiosyncrasies. We put a team together and secured a 20-year lease (now a 99-year lease but that’s another incredible God story).
Next time I will explain what a care farm is and how we love, encourage and support people.