A Growing Ministry: Eagle Heights’ Community Garden Has Many Purposes
Published 12:00 am Friday, July 13, 2012
By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record
There’s a sermon in this garden.
Eagle Heights Church pastor Brent Spry is among the regulars who work in a community garden off Farmington Road. Some members of the church tend to a personal plot of vegetables, while they and others from the church tend to other plots to grow food for the hungry.
Spry quickly noticed that the plots hold plenty of pesky Johnson grass. When it comes up, it looks like a young corn plant.
“We’re learning lessons here, too,” he said. “I’m going to do a sermon … are you Johnson grass or corn? This garden is teaching us.”
He’s having fun, too. The preacher’s plot is the one marked by dark beer bottles – root beer.
Terry Campbell came up with the idea to use the church land off Farmington Road for the garden. It had been purchased for a new church building, but Eagle Heights has found a home at US 64 West and Valley Road (in front of Food Lion) in Mocksville.
Campbell did much of the work to get it started, everything from tilling the plots to bringing in water. “Maybe next year, we can expand it and get someone in with more equipment,” he said.
The garden has many purposes, according to Spry.
“The idea was two-fold: one, for church members who didn’t have adequate space at home. And we wanted to grow food for families who couldn’t afford it.
“It helps church people to get together and fellowship and exercise. There’s nothing wrong with a little work,” Spry said.
They have corn and beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. Anyone needing some of the food can call Spry at 336-782-3461.
He hopes to start a venison ministry, as well. Several members of the church hunt, and Spry’s plan is to have venison available for needy families …