The Farmhouse is a place of rest, a place where God's peace is tangibly felt in the communion of saints gathered for prayer, fellowship and meals. It is a place where every activity, be it work, play, rest, prayer or discussion, feels blessed and deeply connected to the Source. It is a place where I can separate myself from the secular and religious culture, with all of their inherent temptations and misguided values, and simply be--be with Christ, be with myself, be with others. It is more than my friend's home; it is a place of solitude, of rest, of joy and contentment. And it is the place where Christ is an intimate member of every gathering, large and small, communal and individual.
The Farmhouse exists for others.
Those who visit The Farmhouse must be dedicated not just to prayer
and study, but to action for others, to pursue what he or she judges better
for someone else. The church
must exist, not for itself, but for others, and the Christian likewise must
exist for others.
To exist for others is a commitment that grows out of our prayer and our
time spent in God’s Word. The
Farmhouse is located in Orange County, Indiana, one of the most impoverished
counties in the state. Our long
term focus is on Christian community development, that is, to meet the daily
needs of Orange County poor.
Our goal, best phrased by John Perkins, is to “affirm the dignity of people,
motivate them, and help them take responsibility for their own lives.”
This may be accomplished in part through the holistic presentation,
not just of the gospel, but social action on behalf of others for food,
clothing, housing, and secure jobs and just treatment by employers, and to
deal with abuse, reconciliation of diverse groups, and empowerment of the
poor—to build the skills necessary to earn and keep a job.
