Of all the repeated themes of Scripture, one that is most challenging, comforting, and elusive is the call to community. From the very first story in Genesis and echoing throughout time is the call to commune with our Creator and with one another. We see the perfection of that ideal in Genesis 1 and 2 with humanity in tune with God and creation in the Garden. Then the disruption of that ideal through the entrance of sin in the world. Yet we see the character and purpose of God all the more clearly when, despite the disruption of sin, God still called out, commanded, and initiated the mode of life humanity lost in the beginning.

He met with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David on the mountains, blessed them in their humility as they sought Him, and gave them the charge to care for His creation and His people. They failed of course, because they were human, but even in their failures God still called out, raising up prophets to speak His Word over the lost and hurting and promising restoration. The words God uses through prophets like Isaiah are not flippant, but intentional.

Isaiah 41:17-20 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (18) I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (19) I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, (20) that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

To a lost and hurting people God calls out restoration and renewal. The images of rivers in the desert, and trees in the wilderness spark the mind to think of an oasis in the desert, a source of provision, protection, and life in dry places. It’s here that not only is creation restored, but a way made for the restoration of community. There is more than mere earthly water and trees here, this is a call back to the Garden, where God, humanity, and creation live together as it was intended. Later God says it this way,

Isaiah 58:6-12 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (7) Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (8) Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (9) Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, (10) if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. (11) And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (12) And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

While God uses Isaiah to speak to Israel, Jesus takes it to a new people.

Luke 4:17-19 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, (18) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Jesus was speaking of the Kingdom of God, the heavenly rule and reign of God, advancing on earth. And while that in one sense is a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries, it is also a physical kingdom marked by a very different and present reality within earthly boundaries. In God’s Kingdom on earth, Jesus’ Good News looks a lot like Isaiah 58. The captive set free, the homeless homed, the hungry fed, the naked clothed. This means more than mere food, clothing, and shelter, this means a new creation, on earth as it is in heaven, a new community where all work, all provide, all are cared for, all worship the Provider and Sustainer. In that place the LORD satisfies desire and waters the garden. In that place the foundations of righteousness are built, streets are restored, and walls strengthened.

My prayer is that Faith Church will continue to be what Christ established in His life and death and resurrection, advancers of the Kingdom of God. What we have seen God do in us already shows He is at work doing just that and we will continue to pursue whatever avenue He opens to see that expand in this region.

As part of that expansion God has laid a vision in my heart. A vision of a place like Isaiah describes, lived out by God’s people here and now. What I have seen is a union of a physical and spiritual community, living together in rhythm with God and each other. Not scattered miles apart but living right next to each other day in and day out, working together, serving together, sharing in meals, prayer, and in study and living out of God’s word.

This vision is not unique. Throughout the years since Christ many have practiced something similar. The Desert Father’s took to the wilderness to find it. St. Patrick evangelized a whole nation through it. St. Columba and others like him carried it to Europe. The Moravians founded Herrnhut and Bethlehem because of it. And even now there are communities across America who are learning

how to practice it.

My prayer is that we as a church endeavor to be the planter of this new garden, this new community, here in Pownal. That we dedicate time, talent, and resources, not at the expense of other Gospel efforts, but in conjunction with them to make this vision a reality. To be clear, what I’m proposing is the purchase of new land or use of currently owned land in Pownal where foundations will be laid, houses will be built, gardens are planted, trees are cultivated, and a people called by God come together to work, worship, serve, pray, and truly live together every day. This community is one built by and for couples, families, singles, widows, and newlyweds. All who are eager and willing to enter into a covenant agreement together to live communally spiritually and physically. All will help build the homes, work the gardens, harvest the fruit, read the Word, pray throughout the day, and live sacrificially. There would be a sharing of meals, a gathering on porches, times of songs and times of silence. There would be a sharing of the work so the vulnerable are cared for and are valued, and a sharing of wisdom from one generation to the next.

This vision isn’t of a holy huddle of “super Christians” who do life radically different. It’s one of humility and evangelism. A place where guest spaces are reserved for visitors and for those who may be looking for a place of retreat from the world around them. Where an unbeliever or seeker finds refuge and hope, by seeing the hands and feet of Jesus at work. It’s also a place where certain homes are held open for those coming out of homelessness and recovery. Where they can live temporarily in a community that shows and tells of the love of Jesus. Where they can learn not just skills for living, but a new way of life, and be sent out not just cared for, but made whole.

Like many callings of God the future vision is clear, the current way forward however is like walking in fog, one step at a time. I hold no allusions to having a unique line of communication with God. I’m simply trying to be obedient to the vision that He has given. What the next steps are up to Him and His ultimate will. There are two opportunities available at the moment. He has blessed us with 2.5 acres of land in North Pownal that is attached to the North Campus (previously North Pownal Congregational Church) and opened the door for the purchase of Burdick Trailer Park (2.6 acres) behind the Main Campus location on Main Street.

As the purchase of property in our current economy is difficult we have already entered into a contract to purchase the park but have yet to complete the purchase. We are under review, looking at source documents, and praying for current direction as we move forward to make sure this is what God would have us do. Neither option is without its challenges as the North Pownal property would require extensive infrastructure development prior to any construction and the Main Campus property would require managing the transition of housing for current residents. In regards to that potential transition, there is a plan in place to form a non-profit LLC that would be the owner and manager until the land is ready for new development. This would be formed by a blend of church and non-church members that would be available to walk current residents through next steps and assist them as much as possible during the transition.

Whatever the location, there is no time like the present to get started. By creating a new community we will not only be planting a garden of God’s people but also creating housing opportunities in an environment that is in dire need. Every day I hear stories of people in need of a place to live. It has been well documented over the past few years about Vermont’s housing crises, and while this may not be the ultimate solution, it will at least be one. By building these new homes we will be creating new movable inventory in a town that rarely builds a new home. Not only will the community itself provide homes to an individual or family that may not be able to afford one on their own but will open inventory as others in our town and those towns around us sell their existing homes to move in. This will not be a comprehensive solution to those who are in need of housing, but I pray that it produces a blessing for others that would have no hope otherwise.

None of this will be easy, whatever next steps we take. There will be plenty of red tape, governmental hurdles, and cost associated with making this vision reality, but am I committed to rely wholly on God to see it through one step at a time. Shared commitment coupled with a humbled, prayerful people will inevitably produce God-sized results no matter what we encounter. Thank you for your prayers as we endeavor to see His plan through.


In Him,

Pastor Jayson