Mission, Vision and Values

Mission:

Exploring God in creation
     Growing faith in community,
          Engaging the world as followers of Jesus.
 

Vision:

At Good Earth Village, we believe God has called us to a local mission with a far-reaching impact.  As part of our mission, we take good care of the creation that has been entrusted to us.  We help young people and adults grow in faith in the midst of Christian community.  We serve a world in need by living as followers of Jesus.  As we carry out this mission, we strive to transform the world by the Spirit’s power at work in us and through us.

This sort of transforming ministry requires leadership.  We see Good Earth Village playing a specific role by raising up strong leaders.  The training of these leaders comes through Good Earth Village’s ongoing programming and its unique employment opportunities.  We help people develop skills in communication, decision making, team work, goal setting, problem solving, and a variety of other aspects of leadership.

Our aim is for these skills to be identified and affirmed while at Good Earth Village, and strengthened and honed in the activities of everyday life.  People return to their congregations and communities able and willing to play a significant role.  They ask questions, help identify problems, and encourage others to join them in seeking solutions.  They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get to work.  Most importantly, they operate with the conviction that they are God’s hands and feet in the world. 

A crucial part of leadership development is to engage both young and old in a conversation about their callings in life.  We believe every baptized Christian has callings from God.  These callings involve not only what we do in the work-a-day world, but also in our personal relationships, civic responsibilities, and volunteer commitments.  As we discern God’s purposes for us, we see the concept of vocation as an important way to explore the intersection of the world’s problems and our unique gifts and passions. 

Without a doubt, living out our callings is not easy.  The place to begin is living like Jesus.  This involves servant work.  Throughout his ministry, Jesus was deeply committed to serving and caring for others.  He healed the sick, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and made room for those who had been excluded.  We take our cue from Jesus as we respond to the needs of those around us.

Not only did Jesus minister individually to people, he invited others to join him in this work.  Together they formed a strong partnership that shared God’s love in word and deed.  Similarly, Good Earth Village empowers people to live out their individual callings in everyday life.  And in response to particular concerns Good Earth Village responds collectively to share God’s love where it is most needed.  This might involve anything from a community clean-up project to an invitation for troubled teens to visit Good Earth Village. 

Good Earth Village is committed to sending out servant leaders.  These leaders will work both individually and collectively to transform the world by living like Jesus.  People come to Good Earth for a variety of reasons: Sabbath rest, holy play, spiritual friendships, inspiring worship, lively Bible study, and lessons in leadership.  They return to their congregations and communities with a sense of calling, eager to make a difference for the sake of others.  Whether they are caring for creation, helping out with family chores, or speaking up for the powerless, they are leaders with a far-reaching impact.  And when they join others in partnership, the impact they make will only be stronger. 

Core Values:

Centered in the love of Jesus.

All that we do, we do in response to a God who has first loved us in Jesus.  We can do nothing to deserve God’s love.  God freely shares it with us.  In response to God’s actions on our behalf, we share God’s love with others.

Caring for God’s creation.

We celebrate God’s marvelous creation in our little corner of southeastern Minnesota.  The trees, the bluffs, the birds, the flowing streams—all are gifts of a gracious and abundant God.  We believe God has given us the responsibility of taking care of God’s creation, locally and beyond. 

Creating a place for all to belong. 

Everyone is looking for a place to belong.  We welcome any and all to Good Earth Village.  This is a fun place to be.  We strive to build community during the time we are together.  The relationships we form are safe, nurturing, and life-giving. 

Exploring paths of faith.

Jesus calls us to follow him.  As we join him on the journey of discipleship, our faith grows.  Good Earth Village is focused on helping both young people and adults grow by exploring timely topics of faith and developing skills for living out that faith in daily life. 

 Serving a world in need.

When we come to Good Earth Village, we have any number of opportunities to serve.  We take our cue from Jesus, who spent his life serving and caring for others.  Our hope is that all who come to Good Earth Village will take to heart the lessons learned and will reach out to a world in need.