Accidents happen to everyone. They are part of life. As a result of some accidents, lives are changed, and the course of history is altered forever. In 1957, while traveling to an evangelistic meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, a pick-up truck traveling at a high speed ran a stop sign, crashed into the new automobile Michael and Audrey Guido had just purchased, and demolished it. Audrey was nearly killed in the accident and spent several months in an Atlanta hospital, enduring many lengthy surgeries and excruciating pain.

On their long trip home to Metter, Georgia in an ambulance, Michael broke the silence when he said, “Audrey, we have no assurance of tomorrow, so we need to do more for the Lord each day that he gives us. Other than our evangelistic revivals, what can we do to reach more people with the gospel message? We have just experienced the uncertainties of life and the possibility of death when we least expect it. What else can we do for the Lord?”

After another long period of silence, Michael gently took Audrey’s hand and said, “Dear, let’s ask God to put on our hearts what He wants us to do from now on.” Following a time of prayer together, Michael turned to his beloved wife with another question, “What did the Lord tell you, dear?”

Having difficulty speaking and responding very softly, just above a whisper, she said, “Michael, the Lord laid a radio ministry on my heart.”

“How very strange,” Michael responded. “God laid the same burden on my heart, too.” There, the initial “seed” for a radio ministry was planted by God in the hearts and lives of Michael and Audrey. In a matter of weeks, the first radio program was recorded, and “A Seed From the Sower” was broadcast from station WVOP in Vidalia, Georgia.

It took one minute on one radio station in a rural community in South Georgia to launch a movement that would one day bring hope to millions of people around the planet. “A Seed from the Sower,” a daily devotional program that began in Metter, Georgia, in 1952, rapidly became one of the most listened-to inspirational sermons in the world. The response to that radio program was so overwhelming that the speaker, Dr. Michael Guido, decided to make a similar program available on television. Soon, what was once a “Georgia swamp” became the most beautiful three acres in Georgia and became the “studio” for “A Seed For the Garden of Your Heart.” 

The “seeds” from “The Sower” quickly became a daily staple in the hearts and homes of the growing audience. Many listeners who enjoyed hearing or seeing the devotionals began calling the stations to request written copies to share with family members and friends. To honor their requests and meet this need, a monthly devotional booklet, “Seeds from the Sower,” was made available to any who requested it free of charge. The response was overwhelming, and now tens of thousands of  “Seeds of Hope” are printed and distributed each month – still free – to those who request a copy.

One day, the editor of a weekly newspaper read a “Seed of Hope” while waiting for his appointment to see his physician. After realizing how the brief devotional brought him a much-needed word of encouragement, he realized that through his paper, he could bring comfort and inspiration to many of his readers who were encountering difficult times in their lives. So, he called The Sower Studio and asked if he could print a “seed” weekly in his paper. His request was honored, and at one time over 200 newspapers published the Seeds of Hope.

In Paul’s farewell message at Ephesus, he said, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there…However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20: 22 -24) Is there not an echo of this message in the history of Guido Ministries? Michael and Audrey, like Paul, had no idea “what would happen to them…only that they would be found faithful to finish the race and complete the task God gave them of testifying the good news of God’s grace.” Only God knew what He had planned for this, His ministry. Over the years, God’s message of the Good News of His love, mercy, grace, salvation, hope, and eternal life has not changed. However, the methods and means of sharing this message continue to grow and be blessed by God – and will continue to grow and be blessed by God – if we are faithful to Him and honor Him in all that we do, and give Him all the glory for all that we accomplish in His Name.

The core beliefs, stated below, are the foundation upon which everything we do is guided:

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the only inspired infallible, and authoritative Word of God, that reveals His plan of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration for His creation and the salvation of man. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; John 3:16.

We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:4-6.

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; I Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15.

We believe that all men everywhere are lost and will face the judgment of God, and that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. To have that salvation, all lost and sinful mankind must repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus Christ resulting in their regeneration into a new life in Christ through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. As a result of their acceptance of salvation through faith in Christ, the righteous, those who have placed their faith in Christ, will have eternal life in heaven, and that those who have rejected Christ, the unrighteous, will be banished by God to everlasting punishment in hell. Luke 24:46-47; Romans 3:23;2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9.

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling empowers and enables the Christian to live a godly and righteous life that will bring honor and glory to God. John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and unsaved, the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the unsaved unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15.

We believe in the spiritual unity of all who believe in salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that all who are true believers, are members of His body, the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:12,27; Ephesians 1:22-23.

We believe that ministry includes evangelism, discipleship, and service. Evangelism is sharing and proclaiming the message of the Gospel, and that salvation is only possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Discipleship is educating, equipping, and enabling the followers of Christ to become mature and grow in their faith in Christ. Service is the responsibility of all Christians and requires that the followers of Christ are responsible to serve others as Jesus did by meeting them at their point of need and helping them as He did. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15.

We believe that the biblical teaching of human sexuality is only to be expressed within the context of marriage as represented and described in Scripture: that God created man and woman as unique biological persons, and that each was created for the other. God established that relationship to be monogamous and the foundation of the family and society. Therefore, if the family and society are to survive and flourish, marriage is an exclusive union between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5,6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26,26; 1 Corinthians 6:9.

We believe that each person, male or female, is miraculously and permanently given life as male or female. They are distinct, yet complementary, and reflect the image and likeness of God. To reject one’s biological sex is to reject God’s handiwork. Genesis 1:26,27; Mark 10:6; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Deuteronomy 22:5.

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. All human life, from conception to natural death—including pre-born babies, the aged, and the physically or mentally challenged—holds immeasurable value and dignity. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Gen. 1:26-27, 9:6; Psalm 139; Matt. 9:36, 14:14, 18:1-6). 

FINAL AUTHORITY FOR MATTERS OF BELIEF AND CONDUCT

Our statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. 

Yes! The three acres that contain Guido Gardens attract many people each day. The tranquil and peaceful garden with peaceful waterfalls, babbling brooks, and a wide array of blooming flowers bless all who visit. Many come to spend time in our Prayer Chapel, which is open twenty-four hours a day to pray, read His Word, meditate, and leave prayer requests. 

Initially created as a place to film the TV program “Seeds For The Garden of Your Heart,”  Guido Gardens is a place where visitors can enjoy a time of peace and quiet and relaxation.   Visitors also enjoy the Chapel where there are Bibles and literature proclaiming the Good News of God’s grace highlighting the true purpose of the Gardens – to attract people to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and accept Him as their Savior and Lord. This “quiet and silent” ministry is a source of inspiration and hope for many and has been uniquely blessed for many years.

The Gardens and Chapel are always open, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Come and enjoy the flowing fountains, the winding streams, the beautiful flowers, the Prayer Chapel, and more!

Guido Gardens and Prayer Chapel is located at 600 N Lewis Street, Metter GA 30495

Important information: Although we have hosted weddings in the Gardens and Chapel in the past, we are no longer offering that service.