“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed... though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” — Jesus, Matthew 13:31-32.

A lot can happen in six weeks, let alone six years.

Over these past six years of Greenhouse Project, we have experienced moments of incredible joy and moments of deep heartbreak. We’ve celebrated salvations, baptisms, restored families, and transformed lives. We’ve also stood with grieving parents, walked alongside those battling addiction, witnessed violence in our neighborhood, and mourned lives cut short far too soon.

This very week we are grieving the tragic loss of a beloved member of our church.

The reality of ministry here in Chester? It is difficult. By many measures, we serve in the most challenged communities in Delaware County. Maybe one of the hardest in the tri-state area.

Yet after six years, our calling and conviction has only grown stronger.

When we first started Greenhouse Project six years ago…

It was by faith that God was calling us to Chester. Through questions and difficulties, ups and downs, our calling remains steadfast.

And we’re so glad God allows us to live in and serve our neighborhood every single day.

Here, just a handful of recent stories that remind us why we do this work:

One mother thanked us because she said she had “her son back” — not just physically, but in a new and better place after walking through our discipleship program.
A parent from one of our youth programs shared that her son’s life had completely changed. His decisions? Changed. His direction? Changed. And now? He’s received a scholarship to attend a private high school.
A local couple told us that our weekly food outreach has helped them afford their bills, afford needed medication, and still put healthy meals on the table.
One woman walked into our recovery meeting celebrating six years of sobriety, overcome with tears because there was finally a place in her own neighborhood where recovery and the Gospel met together.
Another woman shared how thankful she was to find a church where the Bible is faithfully taught — a place where she feels safe, known, and able to grow in Christ.
A local biker who hadn’t stepped inside a church in years found his way through our doors.

What do all of these stories have in common?

It isn’t me.

It isn’t Emily.

It isn’t even Greenhouse Project.

It’s the Holy Spirit working through willing members of the Body of Christ to build the Kingdom of God in Chester.

Every step we’ve taken, whether through seasons of abundance or seasons of need, has been sustained by the Lord. Again and again, we’ve watched His promises come to life right in front of us.

Today, one of my greatest joys? Prayer walks.

Lately, one of my greatest joys, a routine I’ve started in the last year or two, has been something very simple: almost every morning, I walk our neighborhood and pray.

I pray over our streets and the homes and neighbors that I pass by.

I pray as I walk by where shootings have happened.

I pray where homes have burned down.

I pray as I walk by those stuck in addiction.

I pray as I walk by the drug dealers standing on corners.

I pray when I see children playing outside.

I pray over vacant lots, believing God has plans for people and places that seem forgotten.

Recently during one of my morning walks, I met a woman whose life had been marked by prostitution, addiction, and abuse.

As we talked, I felt prompted to say, “God sees you. He knows your pain. And He loves you so much that He gave His Son for you.”

She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “Mr. John... I needed that today. Nobody loves me.”

Another morning, I spent time praying with Miss Val. She’s the mother of seven children and grandmother to eighteen. She lost one of her sons to gun violence connected to drug dealing.

Today she’s battling diabetes and asthma while faithfully working as a custodian in the Swarthmore School District. Though she had drifted far from the faith she was raised in, as we spoke about Jesus that morning, she began to cry and confessed that she believes Jesus truly is Lord and Savior.

Jesus didn’t avoid broken places. Neither can I.

And Greenhouse Project was never started simply to run programs, although we believe God is using our structure to help many people each year.

Our mission is simple.

It’s this: we exist to bring the Kingdom of God into hearts and homes in our neighborhood.

Like firefighters running toward the flames instead of away from them, we believe the Church belongs where the hurt is greatest.

As we celebrate 6 years, we also look ahead.

As you likely already heard, this year God provided something we’ve been praying about for a long time: a new building.

We’ve purchased the property, completed a design plan, and this month, on July 15th at 10am we’ll stand before the zoning board as we continue moving toward making it a reality.

Our prayer isn’t simply for a bigger building, but for a larger Kingdom impact.

This new community center will become a hub — a place where worship, discipleship, youth ministry, recovery, food outreach, and neighborhood care can flourish while also sending more people into more neighborhoods throughout Chester.

Nineteen years ago, while sitting in a small cafeteria at CityTeam, God began stirring this call on my heart through Galatians 5:13: “Serve one another humbly in love.”

That calling still burns today, and here at Greenhouse Project, we stake everything on this truth: that the Kingdom of God is advancing.

That living side by side with our neighbors matters.

That radical relationships change lives.

And that Jesus is still transforming hearts.

Over these six years, God has kept every promise He’s made to us. He continues to use broken people to reach broken people.

And the invitation is open!

Today I’m praying that more men, women, and families, would join us as we seek to reach the broken, to love sacrificially, to invest deeply for the sake of the Kingdom.

Because if six years have taught us anything, it’s this:

The mustard seed is growing.

The Kingdom is advancing.

And Jesus is not finished with Chester yet.

Thank you for serving with us. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving to support us.

We can’t wait to see what God does next!

Take time to see how you’ve impacted Chester!

Our latest Impact Report highlights proven growth and milestones that shaped the past 5+ years of full-time ministry, as well as Fiscal Year 2025 financial data, impact stats, growth trends, new initiatives, partnerships, and FAQs about Greenhouse Project’s ministry organization.

VIEW IMPACT REPORT