Blessed Earth

Mission

Blessed Earth is an educational nonprofit that inspires and equips faith communities to become better stewards of the earth. Through outreach to churches, campuses and media we build bridges that promote measurable environmental change and meaningful spiritual growth. 

OUR BELIEFS

  1. Blessed Earth is motivated by the biblical mandate to care for creation. We recognize that mountains, trees, oceans and w ildlife are our inheritance and that they have meaning beyond merely supplying the raw material for human commerce. The earth exists to meet an unknown number of generations’ needs. We must not destroy it to meet this generation’s wants.
  2. Blessed Earth promotes individual and group actions that conserve energy and care for the beauty of the world.
  3. Blessed Earth builds bridges between people of different faith communities and those who work to solve environmental problems.
  4. Blessed Earth believes that science without humanity leads to great harm, and that faith without works is dead.
  5. Blessed Earth calls people to action. The time for talk has passed. It is our meaningful actions today that will determine the quality of life for future generations. Blessed Earth promotes measurable change.
  6. Blessed Earth believes we are each morally responsible for the poorest among us. We recognize that those with the fewest resources are the most hurt by on-going destruction of the natural world. We who are given much are called to do more. To show true and meaningful love for our neighbors, we are called to give generously of our abundant resources.
     

PROJECT STRUCTURE

Since January 2006, Blessed Earth has operated as a project of Trust for the Future, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that oversees accounting and 501c(3) compliance.

 

PROJECT METHODS

Blessed Earth develops, promotes and delivers:

  1. Earth stewardship books, films, educational forums, workshops, classes, retreats, sermons, and live-event addresses.
  2. Bridge-building venues between faith-based groups and conservationists.
  3. Media-based information dissemination through print, radio, TV, webcast and film.
  4. An informational hub for creation care news, tools and links.
  5. Curricula and supporting educational materials.
  6. School-, college- and university-based forums for educating and engaging young audiences on earth stewardship issues.
  7. Measurement tools for individuals and groups to assess their energy and resource “footprints” and to document changes in behavior.
     

BOARD OF TRUSTEES LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ryan Bennett—Ryan holds a Master's in Divinity from Asbury Seminary and pastors a large church in Tennessee. Along with his wife, Heather, a communications professional who has a passionate interest in environmental stewardship, Ryan has taken a lead role in his denomination's creation care efforts.

Julia Burnett—Julia has a lifelong interest in all things environmental. After pursuing a degree in environmental economics, Julia worked in private industry, nonprofit/higher education development, and is currently working in marketing. Julia has taken a leadership role in her church's creation care team and has presented at faith-based creation care symposia. Her husband, Seth, is a LEED-certified engineer and shares Julia's passion for leaving a greener planet for their children.

Jeff Rogers—With twenty years of nature photography experience as well as a lay pastor background, Jeff brings an appreciation for God’s creation as well as spiritual guidance. His wife, Melissa, an emergency room physician, shares his passion for serving God and preserving the beauty of nature.

Nancy Sleeth—With a BA in English from Georgetown University and a master’s in Journalism, Nancy has served as Communications director for a Fortune 500 company and brings nearly two decades of classroom experience. She writes, speaks, and teaches about caring for the environment, from a faith perspective.

John Spicer, MD—John Spicer has been an active advisor and generous supporter of Blessed Earth since its inception. With his extensive church leadership, youth pasturing, and business background, Dr. Spicer brings an invaluable skill set to his leadership role as Board President.

Allen Ward—Allen holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from Clemson University and owns Ward Edwards, an engineering consulting firm in South Carolina and Georgia. Allen’s wife Kim recently has returned to teaching high-school math after raising two girls Darby (15) and Alice Ruth (10) and restoring an old home where they live. Both are inspired to free people and things (plants, animals, systems, institutions, communities) to be as God would have them to be on Earth as in Heaven.