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Local Reach
John and Cindy Gardiner serve in a fourteen-county area of southwest Minnesota. These rural communities have high populations of farmers and factory workers.
The area has roots in a strong legalistic religious background, but many residents today are disillusioned by the church and Christians in general. The community may know about God and the Bible, but most do not have a personal relationship with Him.
After seeing the need in their community, the Gardiners began focusing ministry on reaching those from broken homes— parents and children— by sharing with them the hope and healing found only in a personal relationship with Christ.
During the school year, John and Cindy lead a number of different Bible clubs and studies. John leads three after-school clubs, a high school boys’ Bible study, and a men’s Bible study, while Cindy leads two weekly women’s Bible studies and a high school girls’ Bible study. Both of the Gardiners meet one-on-one with individuals to mentor and disciple them in their spiritual walks.
Their summers are filled with Vacation Bible School programs (leading music and teaching), various discipleship meetings, and their ministry through Camp Grace. John describes the benefits of Camp Grace that go beyond the usual hours of games, crafts, and campfires: “It meets the needs of children to give them a moral compass, a manual for life and how to live. It introduces them to Jesus, and they receive everything for life, hope, and salvation.”
The Gardiners have served as InFaith field staff since 2010.
John and Cindy have seen a mission field right in their backyard years before coming to InFaith. “Evangelism has always been a passion for both of us. InFaith gave us a platform and credibility to continue to reach those in our community.” Now it's not just the community they live in but their corner of southwest Minnesota. It is their prayer for opportunities to connect with more people that need Jesus through more after school clubs, camp connections, VBSes or however else God sees fit. Months before COVID-19 John joined a jail ministry in Saint James M.n, with Matt Letourneau. Recently God opened the door for John to become the Non-Certified Chaplain at the Good Samaritan Society.
The Gardiners’ four children also participate in the ministry. Kenna, the oldest, is now in her first year of Asbury University pursuing a degree in elementary education. She will be back for Camp Grace! Josiah is leading a worship/prayer time in his public school each week and he and Daniel are leading a Bible study for teenage boys out of their home. Johnna, the youngest, recruits her friends for Mom's girls' Bible study and is always on the look out for potential staff and campers for her parents' camp ministry.
