Senior pastor leads church into a new era of faith-based innovation in energy, food and economic opportunity
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) announces a bold and innovative vision to give residents access to affordable, quality food; reduce energy expenses for senior citizens; create job pathways into the solar energy industry; and provide youth with entrepreneurial experiences in agriculture.
This multifaceted initiative, The Genesis Project, reflects the Black church’s rich legacy of community impact while implementing fresh strategies to create meaningful and lasting change for generations to come.
“We believe that being good stewards of God’s creation is a sacred calling,” said FBCLG Senior Pastor Danté R. Quick, Ph.D. “In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, there is a mandate to care for all of creation — the earth and humanity.”
Green theology — the concept of ecological stewardship driven by spiritual conviction — is at the core of The Genesis Project and the impetus for its key pillars:
- Farming: Rebuilding farming traditions and establishing a farmers market to address a “high-quality food desert,” a lack of access to fresh, nutritious and affordable food — despite an abundance of convenience stores and overpriced, substandard grocers.
- Solar energy: Utilizing FBCLG’s 26,000-square-foot rooftop to provide energy credits for low-income seniors, reduce their utility bills and train youth in solar installation.
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations: Installing EV charging stations on church grounds to generate revenue for youth programs — while symbolizing FBCLG’s evolution from a humble gas station to a cleaner, sustainable future.
- Youth scholarships and economic development:
- Teaching youth the business of farming and the operations of managing the market.
- Training young people in solar installation.
- Reinvesting cost savings from solar energy to expand the college scholarship fund.
Although implementation is slated to begin in fall 2025, the vision is already taking shape. Key milestones include:
- A White House visit, under the Biden administration, to discuss the project’s potential national impact
- A completed building audit for solar energy feasibility
- Preparation for installation of EV charging stations
- Establishment of a steering committee comprised of subject matter experts, technical partners and academic leaders
“There is a compilation of distresses happening simultaneously that adversely affect Black and Brown communities,” Pastor Quick said. “There is an ecological crisis, a contentious political climate and continued systemic structures that undermine our mental, physical and financial well-being. Collectively, this phenomenon has a direct impact on the community that we serve.”
Under Pastor Quick’s leadership, The Genesis Project will address these challenges through a phased rollout over the next five years.
Those who would like to contribute to this initiative should contact FBCLG’s administrative office Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 732-828-2009.
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