Pastor Kirk Neely is both a Master Gardner and a Master Storyteller. He knows how to tell the perfect story for every situation. This book is a fine blend the truth that those of us who love to garden must cooperate with mother nature and have reverence for God. Kirk Neely’s ability to put the reader in the moment in his Upstate garden is an unexpected joy in this book. This is a volume that every gardener will want to keep handy.

Linda Cobb

Master Gardner, Garden Columnist, Writer, and Speaker

Dr. Kirk Neely reminds us that "Having a garden is never a destination, it is always a journey”.  Contented gardeners realize that our garden is forever a work in progress just as our lives and faith are constantly growing.  Kirk weaves his way through his own garden in this charming book relating life’s spiritual journey to tending to a garden. Kirk, a great storyteller, has done a masterful job with this collection of stories. Cultivating the Spirit is a delightful assortment of family tales, gardening wisdom, and spiritual insight. The oldest task that God given us is caring for creation. Gardening is one way to fulfill our responsibility.  Every gardener should own this book. It will be a perennial favorite.

Betty Montgomery

Master Gardner, Garden Columnist and Author 

Kirk H. Neely and his wife, Clare, have been married since 1966. They are parents of five children and have thirteen grandchildren. Since 1980, Kirk and Clare have lived in the home built by his grandparents in 1937. Additionally, Kirk is a Master Gardener and enjoys working in his own garden. The National Wildlife Federation has certified the Neelys’ backyard as a wildlife refuge.

Kirk was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina (1966). He was licensed in ministry by First Baptist Church, Taylors, South Carolina, in 1966. He was ordained in Pastoral Ministry by Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, in 1970. He received the Master of Divinity Degree (1970) and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Pastoral Counseling (1973) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He was named a Merrill Fellow at The Divinity School of Harvard University (1980), where he did postdoctoral study.