What We
Do
Our Lord Jesus called us to build a community of peace - a
little outpost of the Kingdom of Heaven - in a world
falling apart.
As families, churches, and societies around us
disintegrate, we feel an ever greater urgency to fulfil
that mission. To be a picture, a little imperfect
"preview," of the Kingdom he wants to restore in new
heavens and a new earth where justice dwells (2 Peter 3:13,
Acts 3:21). We believe our mission will only be
accomplished, the picture only begins to form, as we become
one with Jesus, one in daily fellowship, and one in our
work and material affairs. "By this shall all men know that
you are my disciples. . . ." (John 13:35).
Our mission is to help our children, and all others within
our sphere of influence, to be everything God wants them to
be. We are not content with the mere transformation of
individuals. We believe God wants all men and women to
live, to grow, to share in the joy of a transformed
society, bought with Jesus’ blood. We believe he desires
our collective salvation.
Believing that our spiritual welfare demands our first
attention, we meet every day for worship, Bible study, and
prayer. We eat together three times a day, mothers and
fathers sitting with their children around long tables in
the communal dining hall.
At 5:45 p.m. we meet for prayer (30-45 minutes), before the
evening meal. Twice a week we have a longer Bible Study
meeting. On Lord’s Day mornings we have a worship meeting
and Bible classes for the children. Our brother, Gary
Wurtz, is the servant of the Word (spiritual leader) of our
community.
On the fertile plains of south central Minnesota (not far
from where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived "on the banks of Plum
Creek") we are an agricultural community. The Lord blessed
us with productive fields, gardens, fruit trees, berry
patches, and a small vineyard. We raise an abundance of
sweet corn, melons, and other vegetables for our own use,
usually ending up with enough for many people besides
ourselves. During the summer months the brothers help
Willie, our Weinzedel (farm manager), with planting and
harvesting several thousand acres of corn and beans. That
goes to our livestock that in turn produces all our own
(natural) fertiliser.
Our sisters love to plant flowers, in the gardens and
around our homes. In the centre of the Hof (the common
space around which our houses, the dining hall, our school,
and other community buildings are located) the children
have their playground.
Our brother Johnny manages our colony feed mill, grinding
and delivering feed to five turkey barns and four hog
barns. Alvin oversees the turkeys and has many younger boys
(most of them still in school) helping him do chores
throughout the day. Around once a month we receive a new
flock of turkeys.
Our brothers Samuel and Leonard manage the hog barns, also
with a good number of the young men helping. Because we
have a farrowing barn, we have much work for the boys to
help with, after school.
Our brother Mike manages the mechanic and repair shop,
keeping our vehicles and machinery on the go. One day a
week he has the high school boys working with him, learning
practical lessons on motor repair, body work, and wiring.
Our community owns a bus and several larger vans that make
it possible for a good number of us to visit places at
once. In the summer we like to take our children and youth
group camping. Our young people love to sing, and
frequently do so in our neighbourhood, as they have
opportunity.
Several brothers work in our metal shop, some with
electronic components, some welding, or designing. Others,
under the supervision of our brother Herb Waldner, do
building and structural repairs.
Five brothers and four sisters, all from our community,
teach eleven grades in our private school, both in English
and German. We use a variety of Christian and secular
texts, and are not opposed to seeking further training in
skills that benefit the community as a whole. Education for
prestige or mere personal advancement does not look
valuable to us.
Leonard Wurtz, one of our brothers in leadership, serves as
Haushalter (steward), keeping records for the community and
handling our finances. But all practical matters come
together in the daily morning meeting, overseen by our
brother Gary and the Zeugbrüder (witness brothers) the
community has elected to help him in daily affairs.
Every Saturday afternoon all the brothers meet to discuss
current issues facing our community. All major decisions
are made by the brotherhood as a whole.