Toccoa Bee Farm

In the past decade, we have experienced an enormous surge in the devastation of honeybee colonies worldwide. America’s bees are dying at some of the highest rates ever, struggling to survive a deluge of next-generation pesticides called “neonics” unleashed by multinational chemical giants like Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer, the world’s largest manufacturer of these bee-killing chemicals. Modern corporate farming practices are eliminating the biodiversity needed to feed bees the nectars and pollens to survive throughout the year. Parasites, such as the invasive varroa mite, which is increasingly resistant to Amitraz, spread diseases throughout entire apiaries and wipe them out in large numbers. Without our help, the bees will continue to disappear.

Why is this a problem? One out of every three bites of food we eat relies on bees for pollination.“In January 2025, beekeepers across the country began reporting unexpected large-scale honey bee losses—we now know the largest ever recorded in the U.S.,” said Danielle Downey, executive director of Project Apis m.  Their published survey compiled data from a total of 842 beekeepers, with participants accounting for an estimated 1.956 million colonies, approximately 72% of the nation’s bees. Findings from the survey confirm that beekeepers lost an average of 51% to 62% of their colonies, with associated economic impacts on beekeepers estimated at over $600 million in lost honey production, pollination income, and costs to replace colonies. This could reduce farmer yields, create higher prices and limited availability in the grocery store, and potentially have other impacts on these cropping industries valued at more than $18 billion annually. Collectively, these economic and biological hurdles will likely make it impossible for beekeepers to rebuild, pollinate, and produce a honey crop this year, which could have continued impacts on beekeeping operations and our nation’s produce supply. Without bees, people will starve.

In the Bible, we often see nature as a reflection of God’s purposes and a model for our behavior. Bees exemplify diligence and teamwork. Bees work tirelessly to gather nectar, showing us that hard work is important in our own lives. Just as God created the bees to be industrious and cooperative, we are called to be dedicated in our tasks and to support one another in our community. By embracing the work ethic presented in the Bible, we can find fulfillment as we serve God and those around us. The Lord urged his people to prosper in the land of milk and honey, but how can that happen if we all don’t help save the honeybees?

The Living Christ Ministry takes all this to heart in our current mission. Pastor Jim has been a beekeeper since 2021, guided by his mentor and “Bee Buddy” Dennis, who continues to share his wealth of beekeeping experience with Pastor Jim. They are assisted by the amazing certified beekeeper Melissa, our “Queen Bee,” who produces queens and is a licensed HBR (Honeybee Removal Specialist). They have been successfully implementing natural, time-honored techniques that aren’t often found in books. Using natural mite deterrants like peppermint and tea tree oils, they have enjoyed great success at repelling pests. Winterizing hives properly with safe insulators has rewarded us with 100% survival rates through frigid winter months in north Georgia that have claimed many colonies in the past. Conducting regular hives checks throughout the year cultivates patience and sensitivity to the bee’s unique needs, and the joys of developing a relationship with these special little critters has a deep spiritual significance that cannot be denied.

In late 2025, The Living Christ Ministry has acquired a plot of land in Toccoa, Georgia in order to establish their Bee Farm, a 2 1/2 acre sanctuary along a creek where bee colonies can be fruitful and multiply. A central park area is set up with a picnic table and seating for education meetings, meals and worship. A camper and storage container have been provided onsite for cleaning up, resting and private bathroom facilities. The open fields beneath high power lines offer ample room for adding hives as the colonies grow and for a wide variety of blooms that provide a year-long abundance of nectars and pollens. We have joined the local chapter of Hives for Heroes, offering active duty, veterans, and first responders the opportunity to explore beekeeping, connect with each other, and build a thriving community serving our Heroes. Additionally, we plan to invite youth groups (and their families) from local churches to come visit the Bee Farm, where they can learn about bees and beekeeping with a scriptural perspective and participate in guided interactions with the bees themselves. We encourage families to set up and maintain beehives on their own, and offer to help them get their own colonies up and running. It is a spiritually rewarding and deeply satisfying experience!

Would you like to help our ministry’s Bee Farm grow and succeed? As always, Pastor Jim takes no personal salary for doing what he regards as service to the Lord, but beekeeping supplies and supplements can get very expensive, and he is grateful to the friends and believers who voluntarily assist him with the endless planting, hive maintenance and honey harvesting. For those who donate $20 or more, please accept our lovely “thank you” gift of our exclusive “Bee Buddy” T-shirt! For a $50 donation, you will also receive a jar of honey after the next harvest. Every little bit helps.

For a quick cash donation, use one of these accounts:
VENMO: @James-Hebin
CASH APP: $beachhousejim
ZELLE: jbh@3dnm8r.net

Then please email me at PastorJim@TheLivingChristMinistry.org to notify us of the donation amount and provide a mailing address to deliver your Bee Buddy! T-shirt and/or honey.

We express our heartfelt THANKS to all our Bee Buddies for helping to bring our ministry’s Bee Farm to fruition in Toccoa, Georgia, and for joining us as we spread the love of the Lord and the joys and benefits of beekeeping to our communities and to humanity at large. God bless us all!