Story 7: Defying the Impossible - God's Abundance in Unlikely Places As we conclude our Giving Tuesday campaign, we want to share with you a powerful testament to God's provision and the resilience of the farmers we serve through Equipping Farmers International (EFI). Often, our trainees face seemingly insurmountable challenges: • Planting out of season due to eagerness to apply new skills • Being given poor, abandoned land by skeptical communities • Hearing discouraging words: "You can't grow anything on that land. It's impossible to harvest at this time of year." Yet, against all odds, we've witnessed extraordinary outcomes: • Miraculous harvests in dry seasons • Abundant crops on land long considered infertile • Skepticism turned to amazement in local communities These farmers' perseverance and faith have turned doubt into hope, demonstrating the transformative power of what they've learned through EFI's training. But let's be clear: while we provide the knowledge and techniques, this level of transformation—defying seasons and reclaiming abandoned land—is beyond what we could achieve on our own. Only God can do that! Their stories remind us of the biblical truth that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). These farmers are living testimonies to God's faithfulness and abundance. You have the opportunity to be part of more stories like these. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us equip more farmers to defy the impossible, transforming both land and lives around the world. Thank you for joining us in this story series and considering how you can partner with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to witness God's transformative power in the most unlikely places. Double Your Impact - Become a Monthly Partner: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
Equipping Farmers International (EFI)
Non-profit Organizations
EFI exists to engage communities in agricultural discipleship that results in food security and improved livelihoods.
About us
Our Mission Equipping Farmers International (EFI) exists to engage communities in agricultural discipleship that results in food security and improved livelihoods. Our Vision To multiply networks of churches around the world that are overcoming food insecurity and hunger in their communities and developing financial sustainability by applying biblically based regenerative agriculture and stewardship in their communities.
- Website
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equippingfarmersinternational.org
External link for Equipping Farmers International (EFI)
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Chattanooga
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Specialties
- Agriculture, Regenerative Farming, Pfumvudza, Regenerative Agriculture, Conservation Agriculture, and Training of trainers
Locations
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Primary
Chattanooga, US
Employees at Equipping Farmers International (EFI)
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Mark Johnson
Director of Accounting & Finance at Equipping Farmers International (EFI)
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Michael Cooley MSc
International Agriculture Consultant and Trainer
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Debbi Beers
Working to glorify God.
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Alfredo Alvarez
America’s Regional Director at Equipping Farmers International / Conservation Agriculture Trainer
Updates
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Story 6: From Despair to Hope - A Family's Remarkable Two-Year Journey As we continue our #GivingTuesday campaign, we want to share with you a story that powerfully illustrates the transformative impact of Equipping Farmers International's (EFI) work. Two years ago, we met a family in Asia who was struggling to survive: • They lived in a dilapidated shack • Their small piece of land was infertile and unsuitable for farming • They were not Christians and were trapped in a fatalistic worldview Their situation seemed hopeless. But then, something remarkable happened. After going through EFI's training program, in just two years: • They purchased a new, fertile farm • They built a comfortable house for their extended family • Their neighbors now flock to their fields to learn their secrets of success This family's journey from despair to hope in such a short time is nothing short of extraordinary. It's a testament to the power of combining practical agricultural training with a message of hope rooted in the Gospel. But let's be clear: while we provided the training, this level of transformation—affecting not just their economic situation but their entire worldview—is beyond what we could achieve on our own. Only God can do that! You have the opportunity to be part of more stories like this one. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us bring hope and practical skills to more families like this one, transforming lives and communities around the world. Thank you for considering how you can partner with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to witness God's transformative power in the lives of farmers and their families. Double Your Impact - Become a Monthly Partner: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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Story 5: Cultivating Faith - Unexpected Harvests in EFI's Agricultural Program As we continue our #GivingTuesday campaign, we're excited to share with you an unexpected and powerful outcome of EFI's agricultural program. Our approach is deeply rooted in scripture and designed to function as a form of discipleship through local churches. We expected to see growth in the character of Christian participants, but what we've witnessed goes far beyond our expectations: • Many individuals are coming to faith during the training • We're seeing new believers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America • The program is drawing people into a relationship with God We believe this success stems from the inseparable nature of the gospel and biblical discipleship. As we make disciples within the context of farming, God reveals Himself and His love in powerful ways that draw people naturally into a relationship with Him. This level of spiritual transformation is far beyond what we could have designed or anticipated. Only God can do that! You have the opportunity to be part of this incredible work. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us bring this life-changing program to more communities, cultivating both bountiful harvests and flourishing faith. Thank you for considering how you can partner with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to witness God's transformative power in the lives of farmers and their communities around the world. Double Your Impact - Become a Monthly Partner: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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Story 4: Harvests Beyond Imagination - God's Abundance through EFI's Methods As we continue our #GivingTuesday campaign, we're thrilled to share with you the remarkable results we're seeing in the fields of farmers who have implemented EFI's agricultural methods. Our approach is rooted in time-tested practice and Biblical wisdom: • We teach conservation agriculture methods developed after the 1930s Dust Bowl • These proven techniques are adapted for small farmers in the Global South • We integrate scriptural principles, combining faith with practical farming This program is designed to: • Improve and regenerate soil fertility naturally • Optimize rainfall management • Enhance overall farm management practices Typically, we'd expect gradual improvements over several years. However, the results we're seeing are nothing short of extraordinary: in just the first season of implementation, farmers are experiencing at least a 2.5-fold increase in yields. Some are reporting increases of up to 5 times their previous harvests! These results far exceed our expectations. We're witnessing an immediate and dramatic impact on farmers' lives and livelihoods. This level of transformation, especially in such a short time frame, is truly remarkable. Only God can do that! You have the opportunity to be part of this incredible work. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us bring these life-changing methods to more farmers, multiplying harvests and transforming communities. Thank you for considering how you can partner with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to witness God's abundance in the lives of farmers around the world. Double Your Impact - Become a Monthly Partner: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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Story 3: Breaking Barriers - Unprecedented Success in Farmer Adoption As we continue our #GivingTuesday campaign, we're excited to share with you an aspect of EFI's work that truly sets us apart in agricultural development. In our field, change is often slow and challenging: • Most organizations see adoption rates of only 10-20% • Farmers often resist new methods due to community pressure • Deep-rooted worldviews can hinder progress These challenges make sustainable change a formidable task for many agricultural development organizations. However, EFI is experiencing something extraordinary: • Our programs are seeing adoption rates of 70-80%! • Farmers are embracing new methods at unprecedented levels • Communities are being transformed by the Gospel This success rate isn't just about numbers. It represents lives changed, communities renewed, and a path out of poverty for countless families. We believe this success stems from our holistic approach while introducing biblically-based, sustainable farming practices. But ultimately, we recognize that this level of transformation is beyond our own capabilities. Only God can do that! You have the opportunity to be part of this transformative work. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us continue to break barriers and achieve high adoption rates, leading to lasting change in communities around the world. Thank you for considering how you can partner with us in this important work. Together, we can continue to witness God's transformative power in the lives of farmers and their communities. Double your monthly gift: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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Story 2: From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact - EFI's Journey of Growth As we continue our #GivingTuesday campaign, we want to share with you the remarkable journey of growth that Equipping Farmers International (EFI) has experienced over the past three years. It's a story that truly demonstrates God's guidance and provision. Our story begins humbly: • An informal pilot program • 16 trainers • 6 countries Our goal was simple: to connect churches and ministries in the Global South with vital agricultural development resources. We stepped out in faith, not knowing where this path would lead. Today, just three years later, we stand in awe of what God has accomplished: • Over 1,000 trainers • Operating in more than 60 countries • Supported by a talented international staff of 25 • Established as a nonprofit organization This exponential growth is far beyond what we could have imagined or achieved on our own. It's a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of stewardship when we use our resources to serve others. Only God can do that! As we reflect on this growth, we're filled with gratitude for partners like you who have been part of this journey. Your support has been instrumental in reaching and equipping farmers across the globe. We have an exciting opportunity to continue this growth. A generous donor has pledged to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. By becoming a monthly partner, you'll help ensure that we can continue to expand our reach, equipping more farmers and transforming more communities in the name of Christ. Double your impact: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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Story 1: From Impossible to Impact - God's Work in Sudan As we begin our #GivingTuesday campaign, I'm reminded of a moment last year that truly showcased God's transformative power through our work at Equipping Farmers International (EFI). When we received a request to conduct training in war-torn Sudan, my first thought was, "That's impossible." The challenges seemed insurmountable. But as we prayed and considered the potential impact, we felt called to step out in faith. What happened next can only be described as a testament to God's faithfulness: • 77 trainers successfully educated • 2,000 farmers reached and equipped • Program thrived despite ongoing conflict • Interest sparked in unreached Muslim communities • 14 indigenous missionaries sent out • Participants achieving self-sufficiency through our program These results far exceeded our expectations. They remind us that when we're faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities God provides, He can work through us to achieve what seems impossible. Only God can do that! This Giving Tuesday, we have another opportunity to witness God's provision. A generous donor has stepped forward to match all new monthly gifts, doubling your impact. Your support will help us continue to say "yes" to challenging opportunities like Sudan, trusting that God will use our efforts to transform lives and communities.
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This #GivingTuesday, your generosity can go twice as far. As we enter this season of giving, we're excited to share with you a series of incredible stories that showcase God's amazing work through Equipping Farmers International (EFI). Over the next week, you'll witness how your support has transformed lives and communities. Tomorrow, on #GivingTuesday, we're launching our "Only God Can Do That!" campaign. For the next 7 days, we'll share stories that will inspire and amaze you - stories of hope, transformation, and divine intervention in the lives of farmers across the globe. But here's the most exciting part: A generous donor has stepped forward to match all new monthly gifts! This means your impact will be doubled, allowing us to reach even more farmers and communities with life-changing training and support. Why monthly giving? Your recurring support provides the stable foundation we need to plan long-term, sustainable projects. It allows us to say "yes" to more opportunities to serve and transform lives. One gift changes the lives of one family each month - in a year you would directly impact the food security of 120 people. As you read each story in the coming days, we invite you to prayerfully consider becoming a monthly partner. Your ongoing support will help write the next chapter of these miraculous stories. Stay tuned for our first story tomorrow, where you'll see how God turned the "impossible" into reality in war-torn Sudan. Together, let's partner with God to bring hope, abundance, and transformation to farmers around the world. Because truly, Only God Can Do That! Become a monthly partner: https://lnkd.in/g-_Qn5su
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We’re grateful to Mission to the World for highlighting EFI’s work! Our agricultural development program has equipped hundreds of trainers across 36 countries, impacting over more than 7,000 families in just two years. Learn more about how EFI is helping small farmers fight food insecurity while empowering the Church in Africa. https://lnkd.in/g7B5WkSg #FoodSecurity #FaithInAction #AgricultureForGood
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We appreciate the shoutout from @MTW! Our program combines conservation agriculture with biblical discipleship, empowering local churches in Africa to thrive. In 36 countries around the world, farmers are growing their food, equipping the Church, and strengthening their communities. #KingdomWork #Agriculture #EmpoweringCommunities Read the full story:
Agricultural Development Program Is Solving Food Insecurity and Empowering Churches in Africa - Mission to the World
mtw.org