There are a lot of people who have wondered, “Why does a ministry focused on urban places have a farm?” It’s a good question. On the farm there are all kinds of naturally occurring opportunities for good work and character development. Animals need to be fed. Fences must be repaired. Crops must be planted, cultivated, and harvested. The daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms of agricultural life reconnect us to timeless truths that have been hidden in our generation. In short, we are developing Victory Acres as a Christian missional community.
How many of Jesus’ parables and miracles centered around food and agriculture? “A certain sower went forth to sow seeds…, and “the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.” The feeding of the 5,000, the turning water into wine for a wedding feast, and Jesus’ words over the bread at the last supper, “Take eat, this is my body broken for you,” all center around life-giving nourishment. Without over spiritualizing it, growing good food, free from harmful herbicides and pesticides is in and of itself a “ministry,” a way of serving our community and glorifying God. However, that is not all we are growing at Victory Acres.
The range of experiences and the intensity of the work is growing leaders as well. In addition to solid Biblical training, many ministry leaders today are going to be bi-vocational and will need to have other skills. Learning how to wire a house, lay cement block, grow a garden, or paint a house, may not seem very spiritual, but it is this kind of broad work experience that will put “tools into the toolbox” of future ministry leaders who will need these skills to thrive. Growing a relationally-connected, Christ-centered, community of faith may not always include “making tents as Paul did, but for a young couple called to pastor a fledgling group of poor, inner-city converts in Memphis, TN, knowing how to renovate a house may make the difference. Having the endurance and work ethic gained from doing hard things may help as well. The connection to others – relationship forged in the hot July sun picking green beans for instance – will last long after the harvest is eaten.
The opportunities of the farm offer a perfect chance to experiment with new ideas and potential enterprise. So you’ve always had a fascination with growing mushrooms? Here’s your chance! You have an idea for raising some pigs and using the slab wood from our wood mill operation to smoke-cure some bacon? Great! Draw up your plan, and let’s try it! Entrepreneurship is encouraged, and our enterprises and training are not just to grow food but to grow leaders!
Ultimately, our program is designed to bring glory to God by developing disciples that will engage in His Global Mission. God is at work in the world, and we want to plant a passion in the hearts of our recruits for that mission. Ministry is life, and we believe that all are called to be ministers of God’s reconciliation in the world. We envision developing a pipeline for leadership development in cooperation with the local church and complementary to the important work of our Bible colleges. This does not mean “reinventing the wheel.” We have a farm, and we are inviting anyone with an interest in making an impact in the world to join us for a season. That is what the Nehemiah Discipleship Program is all about. Whether it’s a month, two months, or a year, we have a place to stay, food to eat, and work to do. Experience our life together and take those experiences to the place where God leads you. While we are passionate about city ministry and will continue to develop leaders from and for that context, this opportunity is broader than that. This is boot camp training for God’s Global Army. This is an opportunity for serious disciples to work alongside other “Kingdom Practitioners” and get on the job training.
This idea of missional community is not new. Discipleship as “life together with the Master” is integral to the story of Jesus. Developing Victory Acres as a warm, welcoming, working farm with a variety of daily activities and annual events is one way that we believe God can be glorified. We look forward to sharing that unfolding, ongoing story as God provides the resources to accomplish that vision.
If you are interested in applying for the Nehemiah Discipleship Program in 2021, please contact us at: director@victoryacres.org and request an application. If you have questions, you can email or call (765) 997-8448.
The Gathering at Victory Acres 