Home Grown Faith – Growing Where You’re Planted

Pastor Johnny Moore of Family Worship Center in Cairo, Georgia joins Philip Cameron to share the story behind his book Homegrown — a transparent, practical guide to planting deep roots and building a thriving church in a small rural community. Johnny planted Family Worship Center in Cairo in 1994 after years of ministry in Ocala, Florida, and has spent 31 years investing in a town of just 10,000 people — turning down opportunities to move to larger cities because, as he puts it, "God wanted me to stay here for the long haul." Drawing on the farming culture of southwest Georgia, Johnny unpacks five pillars he believes every small-town pastor must master: calling, vision, structure, culture, and influence. He compares church structure to staking a tomato plant — "if you don't, then it'll never bear fruit" — and challenges pastors to see themselves not as weekend meeting-holders but as community influencers. He references Jesus's teaching in Mark 4 that the whole kingdom of God is like a farmer casting seed, reminding leaders that fruitful ministry is a slow, deliberate process. Whether you pastor a congregation of 50 or 500, Homegrown offers hard-won wisdom on growing what you have, where you are. Get the book and additional resources at homegrownpastor.com.