IC Sojourners Series: Koinonia Farm Intentional Community

Raiders of the Unknown (Mystic-Skeptic Radio)

In this week’s show we interviewed Amanda Moore from Koinonia Farms Community. Founded in 1942 by Clarence and Florence Jordan and Martin and Mabel England, this Christian community emphasized the sharing of resources. Koinonia has been in the forefront of Black and White relations providing equal wages to workers from any race and sharing meals without segregating racial groups as early as the 1940s. Their commitment to racial equality, pacifism, and economic sharing brought an organized boycott and ongoing persecution from the Ku Klux Klan in the 1950s.Through nonviolence they resisted the attacks and were able to thrive and place their focus on the poor quality of local housing. They began a project to build decent, affordable homes for their neighbors, a ministry that evolved into Habitat for Humanity International. This ministry was established by Millard and Linda Fuller, former Koinonia members. Koinonia has been instrumental in the founding of other organizations, such as Jubilee Partners (a community that welcomes refugees from war-torn countries), and many others that work for social justice. Other sister organizations include Open Door and Riverplace.In 2008, they re-committed to farming as a way of life. In they switched their income sharing system to a non-profit one creating problems of sustainability. Amanda shared about their several transitions which affected the number of members they have. We also spoke about how this faith-based community has stayed alive. Our conversation addressed their interest in the environment, activism in both social and economic justice and their support for gender equality. Amanda spoke about their community traditions and the seven covenants members partake of such as their spring covenant ceremony. Currently Koinonia grows a variety of natural produce, pecans, grass-fed beef, and other livestock. This Christian intentional community seeks to embody peacemaking, sustainability, and radical sharing as they strive to be an alternative to materialism, militarism and racism.

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Jesus The Israelite, Anti-Semitism Rising & Paul's Legacy (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 8 years we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…