Kononia Farms: An Interracial Intentional Community

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The U.S. Government’s day to celebrate the work of a great American hero and the idea of community service.  King’s work helped to bring hope, peace and reconciliation to a divided nation, but he was not in this movement alone.  Obviously, he worked hand in hand with the NAACP and other civil rights activists.  However, there were other, less known players in this fight.  In 1942, Clarence and Florence Jordan and Martin and Mabel England began an interracial intentional community with the purpose to racial reconciliation and display the Kingdom of God.  This community came to be known as Koinonia Farms.  This beacon of hope in the deep South stood as a testament of God’s intention for community and his people.  Through this community, the farm provided resources to the poor and the leaders offered training to local African American ministers.  The website states, “Based on this radical call to discipleship, Koinonia’s very presence confronted racism, militarism and materialism with its commitment to:

1.      Treat all human beings with dignity and justice

2.      Choose love over violence.

3.      Share all possessions and live simply.

4.      Be stewards of the land and its natural resources.”

Facing persecution from local residents, during the Civil Rights Movement, the Kononia Farms held its ground and still remains today.  Around 1968, the community welcomed Millard Fuller, after he walked away from his fortune as a lawyer and businessman.  Through Millard Fuller’s vision and the work of Kononia, Habitat for Humanity was established.  As we celebrate service and the work of many who made a difference today, discover the stories of Kononia Farms by visiting http://www.koinoniapartners.org.  Also, you can learn more by watching the short video at this link.