What is Greenhouse?

A few summers ago, John Clifford and I flew out to the West Coast to spend a few days with a ministry that worked with the homeless population in Los Angeles. One night, we joined a group that was heading down to Skid Row to share Jesus, and right before we got into the vans the team leader jumped on top of a picnic bench and said something that has never left me.

“We won’t be meeting any homeless tonight, or drug addicts or prostitutes.” This was a strange thing to say, because that was exactly the type of people we were going to meet on Skid Row. He went on, “Tonight, we’re only visiting people made in the image of God, just like you and me. If you can’t see that, you should leave right now.”

Everybody just stood there, but the whole night changed. He was reminding us of something we all knew, but something that is too easy to forget: We are more than labels. We are never far from our Creator. We’re all in this together.

We took a plane home a few days later, and I think Greenhouse Project was born on that flight. John was asking hard questions: Shouldn’t we love the marginalized and forgotten as equals? Shouldn’t we live in the communities we want to see transformed? Could this really change a neighborhood, or a city? 

I didn’t know the answers back then, and I’m not sure we know them all today, but here’s what I do know. Three years later, John and his family live in a small house in Chester, PA. Their house––the first Greenhouse––holds church services every Sunday afternoon, addictions counseling all week, and dinners, bonfires, or hangouts almost anytime you stop by.

Greenhouses help plants grow in difficult climates. In the same way, Greenhouse is helping people grow in a place like Chester, PA. Right now, it’s just a house. But soon it’ll be two houses, and eventually there will be a house in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Camden. 

Live where you love. That’s the big idea behind the Greenhouse Project. And love people like they have God’s fingerprints on them––because they do.

I hope you consider partnering with us. We need more people who want to start Greenhouses, people who are passionate about growing the church in tough places. We need generous people hungry to see God’s kingdom advance. Swing by on a Sunday or email us for dinner at our place. We promise yummy BBQ and good conversation.

To support us with a donation CLICK HERE

To read more about our vision CLICK HERE

To join our Sunday Fellowship or events CLICK HERE

To learn more about Greenhouse Project or if you are interested in launching a Greenhouse please email us at info@ghproject.org