By Jennifer Hosler, director of the Global Food Initiative of the Church of the Brethren

Bread. Naan. Chapatis. Injera. Tortillas. Arepas. Tuwo, Oatmeal. Porridge. These foods are staples around the world, made from diverse grains (wheat, teff, maize, rice, oats, and others). Grains are the “staff of life” – central to almost every culture on earth. Grains are often used as the first solid food for babies, mixing rice or oatmeal or ground up maize to make a porridge. My own child started solid food with a blend of oats, amaranth, and quinoa. In northern Nigeria, small children sometimes eat kunun gyada, a rice-based porridge with groundnut (peanut) butter and tamarind, for a nutritious and protein-filled breakfast.

Since grains are crucial to diverse cultures and nutrition around the globe, the GFI deals with grains in many ways when working to end hunger and promote food security. Grants equip farmers to grow food (including staple grains) sustainably, using fewer resources and methods that benefit the farmer and the environment. GFI also funds grinding machines and mills, to help local communities grind and utilize the grain that they grow. For many places around the world, subsistence farmers grow their own grains and take that grain to a local grinding machine or mill when it is time to use it.

The Church of the Brethren in Burundi is seeing the ministry benefits of a local mill funded by GFI. At the 2024 Annual Conference, founding pastor Expert Bukene, president of the Church of the Brethren in Burundi, shared about the Abavukanyi Porridge or “Brethren Porridge.” Using the new grinding machine, the church leadership has developed a nutritional blend of grains that they are selling as Brethren Porridge in the community and also using it in the church’s nursery school. Brethren Porridge is known for its nutritional value; the proceeds from its sale go to support the church ministries. Beyond the Brethren Porridge, the grinding machine provides affordable grain grinding to the surrounding community, meeting a community need while also providing income to help sustain the church’s ministries.

Jesus declared himself to be the Bread of Life (John 6:35)—that which is central, nourishing, fulfilling, and empowering. Jesus also told his disciples to feed hungry people, saying, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16).

When we eat oatmeal, bake some bread, or otherwise use grains, nuts, or seeds in our households, we can consider our neighbors around the world who are subsistence farmers, whose livelihoods and nutrition depend on the grain that they grow by hand and grind in their local mill. I am grateful for the ministry of GFI, that we can walk alongside these neighbors—neighbors who may be across the globe, neighbors who may differ by ethnicity, language, or religious practice—and help give them something to eat. Thank you for supporting GFI through prayer and financial donations—we are doing this work together!

This reflection was originally featured in the newest issue of Sustenance, a publication of the Global Food Initiative. Learn more about this ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/gfi or support it today at www.brethren.org/givegfi.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Jennifer Hosler, manager of the Global Food Initiative

I joined the Church of the Brethren as a young adult, inspired by the church’s emphasis on being doers of the word (James 1:22) and on living simply to give generously (James 1:17).  A denomination that stressed following Jesus through service and simplicity? Yes, please! I was drawn to this community of faith that teaches a radical discipleship. We model “another way of living” as we are reconciled to God and seek to be reconciled to one another. Part of that reconciliation to one another and to God involves sharing what resources we have, just as God our Father is a generous giver (James 1:17-18). The gospel of Jesus is good news for the poor (Luke 4:18; James 1:9-11).

The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) is a terrific example of how Brethren give generously and how we preach a holistic gospel of Jesus. The Global Food Initiative has been part of the Church of the Brethren’s ministry for more than 40 years, empowering our siblings in Christ to meet their nutritional needs, to farm sustainably, to feed children, and to create livelihoods. Donations to GFI support food security and hunger-related initiatives around the world, in countries like Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Honduras, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. We also fund local church projects in the United States, through congregations seeking to make community gardens or to address hunger in their communities.

I bring diverse experiences to my new role, including depth within the Church of the Brethren. My husband Nathan and I served in Nigeria for two years with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN – the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) doing peacebuilding work. 

I am a local church pastor at the Washington City congregation in Washington, D.C., where we received a GFI church garden grant about 10 years ago (our garden is still going!). My current tenure with GFI builds on my experience as a member of the GFI Grant Review Panel, where I served for five years on a volunteer team, assisting the review of large grant applications (greater than $5,000). My travels and ministry have allowed me to see first-hand the ministry of GFI in the United States and around the world: soybean fields and goat projects in northern Nigeria, Capstone 119 urban gardening in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, La., and congregational Growing Projects through Growing Hope Globally. In addition to my ministry training, I am a community psychologist. My expertise focuses on program development, implementation, and evaluation. I work with communities and congregations to address social issues and promote community well-being–which is a great fit for GFI.

I am grateful to be in my new role as Manager of the Global Food Initiative for the Church of the Brethren. This position involves a mission dear to my heart: strengthening bridges between the US church and our siblings in Christ around the world. I envision that we can utilize GFI to strengthen solidarity across national, ethnic, and religious boundaries, by sharing resources, learning from one another, and developing relationships of mutual care. Learning and sharing should be bi-directional, since Brethren everywhere have much to share together. We are doers and givers. I look forward to seeing God’s blessings through this work and I appreciate your prayers for the journey ahead.

This reflection was originally featured in an email update by Global Food Initiative. Learn more about this ministry at www.brethren.org/gfi or support it today at www.brethren.org/givegfi.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Jeff Boshart, manager of the Global Food Initiative

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” ~ Matthew 9:38, NIV

Greetings in the name of Jesus. My time as the manager of the Global Food Initiative Fund is nearing its end. The GFI has undergone various changes over the past 12 years, none of it possible without your generous and sacrificial giving to neighbors near and far. Recently I sat down and calculated the amounts sent to various partners around the world to support their work in agricultural development ministries. The total amount shared with churches and Christian non-profit organizations in 25 countries was nearly $2 million. 

Internationally, the largest amounts were shared with the following countries: Haiti ($279,300), Honduras ($173,800), and Nigeria ($165,200). In the United States, through contributions to church-based community gardening efforts and support to Puerto Rican farmers after Hurricane Maria, the total allocated was $345,700. These dollars represent animals, fruit trees, seeds, tools, fertilizers, trainings, conferences, farmer-to-farmer exchanges, several Brethren Volunteer Service placements, and organizations working with immigrants to the US as well as organizations advocating for governmental policies leading to greater food security.

Volunteers who have traveled on behalf of the GFI have given their time and talents to enhance and add value to this ministry in areas such as farming, veterinary medicine, forage production and animal nutrition, appropriate technology, plant breeding, aquaculture, solar energy, clean water systems, grant writing, and program evaluation. Finally, I have had the privilege to meet some special servants of the Lord who are ministering and sharing Christ’s love in some of the most difficult places on earth. I believe these are the workers that Jesus called for when he told his disciples, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38), and I am blessed beyond words to call them friends.

Although I am moving on, the work continues, and I am excited to see who God will call to walk with our sisters and brothers around the world. I pray that you will continue walking that journey with them.

Learn more about the Global Food Initiative at www.brethren.org/gfi or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/giveGFI.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Jeff Boshart, manager of the Global Food Initiative

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  ~1 Thessalonians 1:3

It is hard for me to fathom that this year marks my 10th year serving with the Global Food Initiative (GFI). Time passes quickly. As I reflect on the many changes in the past 10 years, some stick out. The GFI now counts solid partnerships in 12 countries and grants sent to a total of 23 countries in the past decade. Through your generosity, allocations totaling nearly $1.7 million are continuing to help families around the globe through generations of animals, fruit trees that bear more food with each passing year, and increased yields of vegetables and crops grown with improved farming techniques gained through numerous GFI-supported training activities.

One constant during my time in this position is the remarkable faithfulness of GFI supporters like you. Through economic downturns, pandemics, and political turmoil, people who care about hunger in this world, give and give and give again. As I travel, I hear the words of gratitude shared by GFI’s international partners and I wish you could hear them too. It is always humbling to be your representative and a reflection of your love wherever I go for the GFI.

Last year due to many worthy requests, the GFI balance fell to its lowest level in my time in this role; however, we were able to supply funding to all those projects and through your generosity, God supplied more than enough to return the GFI to a place where we can meet this year’s challenges. High food prices around the world stemming from manmade disasters (warfare, climate change, and trade embargoes, to name a few) have once again placed the greatest burden on those who can least afford them.

On a recent Sunday in church, a friend asked me if I find any hope when I visit places like Haiti, Honduras, or Nigeria. Without hesitation, I shared how I am inspired by the boldness of Christian servants to share their faith in word and action even as they endure extreme difficulty in their own lives. Recipients of GFI grants understand that the funds are coming from churches and individuals in the US and not a large organization or government program. I believe that personal touch makes a difference in the reverence with which the gifts are received. It certainly does for me. Thank you for being part of this important, hope-giving ministry.

Learn more about the work of the Global Food Initiative of the Church of the Brethren that your faith, love, and hope sustain at www.brethren.org/gfi or support its life-giving ministry at www.brethren.org/givegfi.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Jeff Boshart, manager of the Global Food Initiative

“I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” -Psalm 57:9-10, NIV

Last year I wrote to you at the beginning of  the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the US has seen some seasons of improvement, but many of our partners around the world have not. While experts are optimistic about the economic recovery in wealthy countries, the same is not true for poorer countries. Borders in many parts of the world remain closed or limit the flow of people and goods. Some countries that initially kept the spread of the virus low are now experiencing the most deaths and hospitalizations as vaccines remain in short supply. In some places, lockdowns and masks are still a daily part of life and likely will continue into 2022. It is against this backdrop that we praise God for faithfully providing and give thanks for Global Food Initiative partners who continue to be Christ’s hands and feet as they minister to those in great need.

With your generous prayerful and financial support in 2020, we were able to share $145,890 in grants for agricultural projects both domestically and internationally. Gifts to the GFI in total were $205,877, meaning we had a healthy balance to start this year. Recently, however, the pace of requests has picked up and the GFI is at its lowest level in 10 years. Since January, grants were distributed to undergird community gardens or food ministries in Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Illinois. New projects were also started with help from the GFI for a grain mill in Uganda, and a fruit tree nursery in South Sudan. In Nigeria (soybean production) and Ecuador (dairy cows and irrigation for organic vegetable production), partner organizations received grants to continue multi-year programs. 

Looking ahead, the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda has begun distributing pigs to the Batwa people–a tribe that lives on the fringes of society. Materials for pens and funds for veterinary services are needed to expand this project. In the Dominican Republic, leaders of Iglesia de los Hermanos are planning to establish a farm credit program for church members and neighbors. In Honduras, plans for a backyard chicken project in an urban setting, though originally delayed by restrictions, are now back in motion. These are just a few partners that will need support from the GFI in the coming months.

If you are like me, you spent much time in prayer over the last year. I wasn’t sure at times how much support the GFI and its programming would receive while we were in uncertain circumstances. Looking back, I am humbled by God’s faithfulness and your generosity in 2020. I am excited about the future, and what God and our partners will do next as together we seek to serve our neighbors near and far in the name of Jesus. Thank you for partnering in this important ministry. 

Learn more about the Global Food Initiative of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/gfi or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/givegfi.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

By Jeffrey Boshart, manager of the Global Food Initiative

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.”
– Jeremiah 29:5, NIV

These are strange and difficult days. If you are like me, this year is not turning out like you had hoped. (This may be the biggest understatement ever!) My travel plans for the Global Food Initiative (GFI) in the spring and summer were cancelled. Our family’s spring break vacation was taken off the calendar. I was planning to host visitors from Haiti and Nigeria this summer, and that did not happen. COVID-19 brought many inconveniences for us; however, the reality for our international partners involves very real hardship, not just a change in schedule. 

A pastor in Honduras reported that there have been families in her community who cannot go to work and cannot purchase diapers or food for their children. A friend in Ecuador shared how fear swept the country after a rapid spread of the virus and many lives were lost in a major city. In Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti, stay-at-home rules from the government were not accompanied by relief bills, unemployment checks, or any form of assistance, and therefore, staying at home meant going hungry.

Through the bad news and uncertainty about the future, I am encouraged by our partners around the world who have unwavering faith and hope that God will bring us through. They share the belief that it is important for Christ-followers to witness to their neighbors in word and deed, especially during these times. Like the Israelites exiled in Babylon, they continue to plant gardens and fields. This is also true here in the US where churches are using GFI grants for community gardens. During this pandemic, people are committed to doing more, reaching out more, and serving their neighbors sacrificially. Please prayerfully consider how you can help our sisters and brothers during this time of great need.

Your generosity to the Global Food Initiative prepares us to respond. Over the past year, we responded to requests for assistance from 27 partner organizations in 10 countries and in the US. The total amount provided in grants was more than $200,000! In 2020, the GFI continues to receive calls for support at a time of a global financial crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for being part of this important ministry and empowering many to plant gardens in these difficult days.

Learn more about the Global Food Initiative of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/gfi or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/givegfi.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)