The Berea Ben Garden of Hope

We are one in Christ, that means that we are one in the family of God. We are His workmanship. We are His field. He has made us Community. On July 11, 2021, we dedicated and celebrated the work that this community of believers at Berea, Agape Hill, and Hmong Hope Lutheran Churches have entered into. While a community garden for the purpose of feeding the hungry and teaching the young might have been a dream of our dear brother “Berea Ben” Heckert, it will find its success, its fruitfulness only through the God who created all things, who has restored us to Himself through the blood of His Son, and who sustains our faith and all of creation until that day when we will gather face to face, eye to eye with the entire Community of believers.

Until then however, we have work to do. Whether it is hands in the dirt, the lifting up of prayer, the giving back of some of the gifts we have received; whether it is delivering to the hungry, teaching the children, or welcoming the neighborhood, there is something for each of us to do as we be a neighbor to our world, confessing, serving, and living the crucified and risen Christ.

SAVE THE DATE...   Harvestfest - October 7, 2023

Watch for more information on this year's Harvestfest.

Harvestfest - October 9, 2021

We had a beautiful day for our first Harvestfest. Over 150 people from the community, members from other congregations, friends and Berea and Agape Hill members enjoyed a fun day of pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bean bag toss, tomato races, popcorn, food prepared from produce from our garden, garden tours, photo opportunities at the selfie area and fellowship. At each table, their were nutrition facts and recipe handouts. Nursing intern students from Carroll University are serving their community nursing or parish nursing hours under the direction of our Family Connections Director, Joanie Kolton, RN. Students from Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School assisted in preparing and serving food. Everyone left with pumpkins and apples.

See how our garden has grown and what has been harvested in August. Produce has been distributed through the 
Mt. Calvary Community Development Corporation and UpStart Kitchen.