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Seeking Christians Interested in Building Communities for Outreach
The Columbus Anabaptist Community
is an intentional Christian community on the north side of Columbus,
Ohio in a nice, safe neighborhood with mostly international students
and families. Many of our non-Christian neighbors practice
modesty and separation from the world. We desire to uphold those
values as well as non-resistance.
Our goals: 1) Glorify God the Father (Isaiah 43:7) by becoming like His
son Jesus (Rom 8:29, 2 Cor 3:18), 2) Help “one another” become like
Jesus by living in close proximity to share time, space, resources, and
accountability (Heb 10:24-25), 3) Let our love and good works witness
to our neighbors (John 13:35, Matt 5:16). For more details see
the summary Why Live in Christian Community linked below.
There are many Anabaptist churches near Plain City, Ohio which is about
25 miles away. We would like to establish a rural “sister”
community near Plain City if the Lord wills. We also have a
relationship with an Anabaptist community in France that currently has
housing and jobs available (see below for more details).
We have a close relationship with the Columbus Network of Microchurches (house churches).
Please note:
This web site currently consists of a few personal notes of Paul Breneman (written in the first-person) but
more importantly it contains links to other resources that I have found
valuable.
New! - A short summary: Why Live in Christian Community?
New!
- I moved in September 2008 to an apartment in a neighborhood near Ohio
State University that has many international families and
students. Earlier this year I rented and moved into a house in the same
neighborhood, where several of us are now sharing life.
The economy in Columbus
is better than many other places and there are still jobs
available. There is abundant housing (apartments & houses) available
in the international neighborhood where I live. Search:
Columbus apartments "Riverview Drive"
There are woodworking tools at the rental house as well as
computer and electronic equipment at the office that might be put to
good income-producing use. There is also access to a full electronics R&D lab for product development.
The example of those who went before us
Read about the Moravians in this online book by Peter Hoover: Behold the Lamb! (The Story
of the Moravian Church). Especially read about their community life
in chapters 9 - 17.
Some Christian Communities
Marcon, France: Community of Courtiron
Anabaptists
- I spent most of May 2009 at this community and you can read my diary about my visit. Note: My diary includes an invitation from the community with information on housing and jobs.
- Also see this related page: Books
Worth Reading
Minnesota, USA - Elmendorf
Christian Community
- Part of my spiritual family and where I lived for seven months in 2003.
Tasmania, Australia: Rocky
Cape Christian Community
Lloydminster, SK, Canada: Fort Pitt Christian Community
Other resources and items of interest
A summary of my vision of
intentional Christian community (rural and city) in Ohio.
A great article by Charles Moore: Beyond Argument -
The powerful witness of community
Another article by Charles Moore: Doing Life Together (also here)
Several good articles on Living in
Christian Community
It has been exciting to read some of what a group of believers in Grand Rapids are
experiencing since moving within 3 or 4 blocks of each other in the
summer of 2005. To me this presents a good picture of a how a city
community can interact amongst themselves and also with others in the
neighborhood. Here are two exciting blog articles:
Seek
First the Kingdom of God
Practical
Daily Life in the Kingdom of God, PART 2
Why We
Live in Community, a nice introductory article from Plough Publishing House.
Two ministries at Ohio State to check out: OSU House of Prayer & International Friendships
Fountain Creek, a vision for
brethren living in community, by Michael Hari.
Seeking contact with others?
Where
to Find Radical Christian Fellowship at Scroll Publishing
Some of my other web pages:
Spreading God's Word at The
Ohio State University
Encouraging Bluegrass Gospel
Jam Sessions
Business: TurboControl Systems
Please contact me (community helper - not leader) if you know
about other resources similar to those already on this page.
email:  @FollowersOfJesus.cc
Paul Breneman
PO Box 3817
Columbus, OH 43210-0817
Phone: (614) 733-0817
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