It has been a long time since some of us have talked or communicated, but I just wanted to update everyone on the process of the ministry I have been working with in the last few months. Enos Weswah and I have begun a process to create a new school. The school will be a ministry outreach to rural communities globally not just in Kenya. The first of many schools to come will be built in Bungoma, Kenya and from there we will begin to move not just in East Africa but central and south America. The ideas that have developed this project start with three basic concepts for creating a developing community which are the Gospel, Education, and Sustainable Living Practices.
The first is the gospel, which for this comes in the only form with which an individual can grow called Discipleship. Everything we do must incorporate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and must represent Him and His teachings for the world. If we are to grow a true Christian there must be true discipleship not simply baptism and a short class introducing them to Christianity, but an in-depth walk and daily maturing with a brother or sister in Christ.
The second piece is Education, and it in a practical sense is desperately needed around the world. We will teach students practical skills using the needs of the community to determine what should be taught. Along side skills like welding and carpentry we will teach students how to manage a business and correctly handle the monetary aspects while also teaching ethics and Christian values. Our goal is not to simply give them an education, but give them an opportunity to help their community not just leave for the cities and never come back home.
The final part, and equally as important, is sustainable living practices, whether it is food, water or housing all must be sustainable and reproducible. We will teach students and community members how to create a regenerative farm using Compressed Earth Blocks and a design method called Regenerative Design. In all of this diet creation and balanced production of foods are taught to students so that the students can go back to the extreme rural communities and help them to begin producing what is needed to create to healthy diverse diets of different vegetation and animal products. The second aspect to this is creating a community that can survive with little to no outside influence or assistance surrounding a local Church thus completing the circle.
Gospel -> Education -> Regenerative Design -> Gospel......
Regenerative Living, which is the term used to explain this idea, is an based off Christian values shown throughout the life of Christ. In truth everything discussed here is involved in regenerative Living in some way or fashion and without one part the rest fail. If you fail to give people a way to grow physically and mentally they will fail to grow spiritually, and for so long we have continued with an antiquated model of presenting the Gospel separate from everything else while in reality the Gospel can never be separated from our everyday life. We are called Christians because we walk and act as our leader who was Jesus Christ. We must never forget that in life it is our mission to give not just spiritual food , but to provide for the physical needs at the same time, both must go hand in hand.
In all of this I wanted to introduce you to The Institute for Regenerative Living. I ask each of you to join us in prayer as we present this material and begin this ministry around the world. If you want to get involved or have someone who would like us to speak to them about this please contact me at my e-mail alex.smiley@gmail.com or regenerative.institute@gmail.
With Love,
Alex Smiley
"But if anyone has the world's goods
and sees his brother in need,
yet closes his heart against him,
how does God's love abide in him?"
1Jn 3:17
how does God's love abide in him?"
1Jn 3:17
P.S. We are need of assistance in several areas as we begin the ministry work including Website Design, Non-Profit Creation, Transportation in the US, and Connections to the Local Churches and Communities. If you know of anyone who will be willing to help in these areas please contact me.
