Traveling the world can lead to witnessing remarkable endeavors, each carrying its own story of impact and inspiration. But among the myriad of tales, some stories stand out as truly extraordinary. One such story unfolds at Namikango Farm in Zomba, Malawi, where the transformative power of faith and innovation has cultivated a 35-acre commercial farm that transcends conventional boundaries.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Joe McKaig captures the essence of Namikango Farm’s unique journey. “I’ve traveled a lot and seen a lot of things done in the name of Jesus Christ but I’ve never seen anything like this,” McKaig writes. The farm, led by the dedicated couple Chris and Joni Weaver, has become a beacon of hope, progress, and sustainable change in the heart of Africa.

Namikango Farm is no ordinary agricultural venture—it’s a testament to the union between business acumen, community development, and the tenets of faith. At the core of Namikango Farm’s success is its holistic approach. The farm’s 35 acres are not just a source of produce; they are a source of empowerment. The local population is given more than just a job; they are given the tools to build a better life. As McKaig eloquently puts it, “The local people have the opportunity to be gainfully employed, learn life lessons, gain valuable skills, and hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The numbers speak volumes—approximately 12 tons of tomatoes are produced each month alongside an array of other crops. But it’s not just about the harvest; it’s about teaching innovative farming techniques that are not only sustainable but also require no chemical fertilizers or excessive irrigation. The Weavers impart invaluable knowledge to families, showing them how to provide for themselves, contribute to their community, and maintain the fertility of their land for generations.

In an environment where handouts are all too common, Namikango Farm is breaking the cycle. The farm provides regular employment to about 60 workers each day, enabling them to earn a living with dignity. Wednesdays are special—workers are treated to a free lunch, and in the midst of sustenance for the body, they also receive sustenance for the soul. Local pastors take turns delivering the message of the Gospel, allowing many to find solace, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Joni and Chris Weaver, the driving forces behind Namikango Farm, have spent nearly seven years in Malawi, wholeheartedly dedicating themselves to this noble endeavor. Their journey has not been without challenges, but their faith has remained steadfast. L2 Limited, the commercial farm entity, stands as a living testament to their unwavering commitment and God’s faithfulness.

The impact goes beyond the farm’s borders. Namikango Farm has become the largest outdoor grower of tomatoes in Malawi, supplying not just local markets but also fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among businesswomen who travel from miles away to purchase wholesale produce. The ripple effect of this endeavor is seen in the establishment of numerous retail businesses that have sprung up due to the availability of local wholesale offerings.

Beyond tomatoes, Namikango Farm is a hub of agricultural diversity. From staple crops like maize and soya to nutrient-rich vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and lettuce, the farm showcases a thriving variety that nourishes both the land and the people.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring aspects is the dedication to education. The demonstration and training field at the farm’s entrance is a hub of knowledge sharing. Here, the Foundations for Farming (FfF) training program takes root, demonstrating year-round the power of sustainable farming practices. Yield-increases year after year stand as living testimony to the efficacy of these principles.

As this remarkable journey continues, the prayers for expansion are heartfelt. The hope is for more individuals to join the ranks, to carry forward the legacy that Joni and Chris Weaver have sown with unwavering dedication. And amidst the growth and progress, the core mission remains unchanged—to spread the Gospel, to see lives transformed, and to support the growth of local communities.

Namikango Farm stands as a model that beckons to be replicated across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. It’s a story that embodies the merging of faith and action, of business and benevolence. As the farm’s impact grows, may it serve as a reminder that even in the most challenging environments, the seeds of transformation can yield a harvest of hope.

Patrick Chapola, a local pastor and the administrative director at the Crown Malawi center, began his journey with the financial stewardship workshop in September 2021. In February 2022, he completed advanced training and became a dedicated champion of the cause. Recognizing his passion and commitment, John and Mary Beth Flippen, the Directors of Training at Crown Malawi, have since entrusted Patrick with all the financial stewardship outreaches for the center. He conducts financial stewardship training in the I Was Hungry and Foundations for Farming programs and serves as a mentor to other Malawians, multiplying the impact of the programs.

Recently, Patrick and his colleague, Frackson Chimkango, a Foundations for Farming Trainer and local church leader, facilitated a training for 23 pastors and their spouses in the village of Nselera, located 15 kilometers outside of Zomba in southern Malawi. Nselera is a farming community whose primary crop is rice. However, their fields were devastated by Cyclone Freddy in early 2023, leaving them in a dire situation. Despite significant challenges, the Church of Christ in All Nations, where the training was held, remained committed to hosting the workshop. Even in the face of adversity, the hunger for biblical financial training was, and continues to be, extraordinary.

Recognizing that Malawians are oral learners, this training employed a storytelling approach using the most powerful stories available – those from the Bible. Henry’s story from the African Money Map (AMM) was developed for this very reason. In the ten trainings Patrick has done since 2022, he has learned that scripture makes an immediate connection and impact on his listeners. They want to implement what they hear right away when they know it comes from the Bible. As an example of how Patrick used additional scripture to illustrate AMM principles, he told the story of Gehazi from 2 Kings 5:15-27 to emphasize the importance of integrity and the consequences of dishonesty. The trainers shared the story orally, without reading from the Bible, and followed it up with thought-provoking questions. This approach encouraged interaction and reflection among the participants.

One of the remarkable aspects of the workshop was the profound impact it had on the participants. After hearing the story of Gehazi, as well as the financial lessons found in Malachi 3, all present boldly and publicly engaged in prayers of repentance, openly expressing their remorse and seeking forgiveness. These prayers lasted anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, demonstrating the deep spiritual impact the training had on them. The significance of the vulnerable openness that occurred cannot be overstated.  In honor-shame cultures, discussing money problems in public simply does not happen. God was clearly at work, and the trainers were awestruck by the transformation that took place before their very eyes.

Many pastors attending this workshop came from rural areas and had little to no formal biblical training. In these rural communities, the formation of a church is usually initiated by a group of villagers, who select one of their neighbors to be the pastor. Prior experience and training are immaterial. The lack of formal education made the financial stewardship workshop even more eye-opening for them. The story-based approach equipped the attendees with the ability to easily retell the messages and ask the same questions in their congregations, and many are regularly using storytelling in their Sunday sermons now, too.

At the conclusion, participants testified to the uniqueness of this training, remarking that they had never received anything like it before. They were amazed at the depth of the program and its transformational power. Through the dedication and commitment of individuals like Patrick Chapola and the use of storytelling, the financial stewardship workshop is making a lasting impact on the lives of pastors and their congregations, bringing heart change and improved resource management to both individuals and communities in Malawi.

The power of storytelling changes everything with Crown’s work in oral cultures. Pastors, excited by the knowledge they have gained through the workshop and confident in their abilities to impart it, are enthusiastically returning home to share the good news. Embracing the gift of storytelling is connecting more people to biblical truth than ever before.  It is as though God’s stories have wings!

In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, and He tells us to pray for the Lord to send out more workers. As Patrick’s efforts have shown, when workers do go, they reap beyond measure. The work of Crown Malawi is a beautiful reminder of our need for mentors and companions on the journey to help us move from where we are to where God wants us to be. When we walk humbly and invest in others, the ripple effect is endless.