I was uplifted by the teachings and interaction with everybody. It’s always fun to spend time with our friends from Shepherdsfield, but the added pleasure of meeting the students and community members from Little Portion and Church of the Sojourners made the weekend a highlight.

Here are the testimonies from the others that went:

Jared Barton

Having five different intentional communities experiences present at the School of Conversion brought out the truth that there is “one body, one Spirit…one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.”(Eph 4:2) This past weekend was a display of this eternal truth as representatives from five very different communities answered serious questions of the why’s and how’s of community life. I was moved in the spirit by many of the discussions as those in attendance asked meaningful, probing questions.

I so appreciated those in attendance and their desire to find answers. I walked away refreshed and revived in the value of community life and the truth that communities coming together is a powerful testimony and witness of the body principles.

Sarah Harding

I always feel privileged to spend time with our friends of the Shepherdsfield community in Missouri. Their individual and corporate stories inspire each one of us further along the “common way.” I don’t think there has been a visit in which we have not gone away with a deeper appreciation for God’s vision for the body of Christ.

During this particular visit, I spent time with the “Shepherdsfieldians” as they received others into their home to experience their dynamic life together. Visitors from overseas, Canada, and other regions of the Midwest came to see and hear what intentional Christian community looked like for this church in Fulton, Missouri. As guest speakers recounted the Biblical story from Abraham to Pentecost, listeners were invited to ask, “What is God’s vision for his people as narrated in the Bible and what does that mean for the church today?” Some discussed the cost of following in Christ and the disciple’s footsteps while others asked for insight to realize a practical lifetime commitment to a people. Between the experience of both resident members and those they invited, the advice shared was rich in wisdom from a road long traveled.

These discussions deeply rooted in me as I not only listened to the sessions but participated in the daily life of my hosts. The time spent eating excellent food, enjoying company, listening to music or pulling up my sleeves in the kitchen or greenhouse reminded me again and again of the “why” behind the vision we had been discussing. I believe the “why” behind what we do is ultimately personal, that our commitments are realized supremely because of the individual on our right or left hand. I’ve been more than blessed to have grown up in such a person-centered environment. I don’t want to forget just how irreplaceable each individual in our life is.

Timothy Krell

My most cherished part of my trip to Shepherdsfield has to be the time I spent with my friend, Jeffrey. I met Jeffrey when I was eleven during my first trip to his community. The great distance that separates our two communities makes it difficult to interact much, so whenever one of us is visiting I value what time we can spend together. This visit was particularly special since Jeffrey’s family hosted me, and I stayed with him in his room. It is very exciting to befriend someone who has been living in a Christian community similar to my own. We can relate to many of each others experiences, offer insight into each other’s walk with the Lord, and share in the differences that make our respective communities unique.

Shepherdsfield has a very strong culture of socializing with each other, and this comes out in Jeffrey’s openness and wonderful hospitality. One practice that Shepherdsfield uses to foster this spirit is their abstinence of TV watching in the home. They watch movies together as a group, but they have chosen not to watch broadcast television or movies each in their own home. The result of this, I have seen, is a very strong culture of fellowship and hosting of one another during their spare time. At the end of the day, people will invite others to their homes to sit, drink tea or coffee, play a game, and just talk with each other. Jeffrey’s newly married older brother invited Sarah and I to his home Sunday afternoon. I had a wonderful time talking about our lives and sharing our interests. I confess that my default form of entertainment almost always involves a TV, whether it be playing a video game or watching something. My times with Shepherdsfield have helped me understand that what is most valuable and cherished is not the entertainment but the person.

I will never forget the first time I saw A Christmas Carol portrayed in film. While there has been numerous renditions of this beloved tale, I always cherish the black and white version staring Alastair Sim. The shadowy images, low-tech effects, and the incredible conversion scene win my heart every time. But what about my hands and feet? What will I do with this message?

The Hammonton Area Ministerium has partnered together each October for the last several years to participate in an event called, “Crop Walk.” This is a fund raising effort for the poor and needy. Participants walk a ten kilometer route as a way to identify with those who must make such a trek for their daily livelihood. This last year seven Hammonton area churches participated and raised over $2,500 for needs abroad and here at home. The Ministerium uses a part of these donations to fund local food pantries and provide emergency assistance to those in our own town. The remainder of donations go toward relief efforts around the world.

In our small way we are making mankind our business. It won’t solve the world’s problems, and we can do so much more. But like Scrooge, after seeing the darkness and futility of selfishness, we can take small, but sure, steps towards love. This holiday season, let’s all make mankind our business.