Intentional community, intentional neighbors, refugee camp,l self sufficient ArkHaven Christian Community in North West Arkansas survialist preperation for troubled times when the hammer falls

Acts Model
Christian Community

Are hard times coming?

Are hard times already here?

How would God have Christians prepare for such a time as this?

self sufficient intentional Christian Community of intentional neighbors in North West Arkansas survialist preperation for troubled times

 

Our Next Gathering

Will Take Place on November 5th, 6th, 7th

In the Eureka Springs, AR Area

The Address/Location Has Not Been Set Yet.

Write and ask to be notified when a place is reserved.

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CLICK HERE to read about the last gathering

 

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Do not wait until the storm hits to try and build your house on the Rock. When the storm hits, it will be too late.

We see that Christianity without community is not Christianity as the Apostles taught. 

It is no coincidence that the Acts model lifestyle we see in the first century church is also the best preparation a Christian can make to sustain life and continue in ministry even in the hardest of times as well as in the best of times. 

A Christian does not have to practice this concept of Christian community to be saved or to continue in ministry, but we argue that it is a good gift from God to us. Jesus taught this brotherhood concept of giving to His Apostles, and they continued in these teachings.

 

At the present time we do not have a community but we are working hard towards that critical goal.  Many dear saints have offered to join us, so the problem is not in finding potential members.  Ideal land is cheap and plentiful around here, so that is not the problem. To the point: The funds have not come in yet to buy land and equipment (debit free) to bring people to.  Please pray that the Lord will provide for this need.

The ultimate and future goal of ArkHaven is to form a totally self sufficient, “Acts model, Christian community of intentional neighbors” who live off the grid and farm the natural and organic way so we can provide food for ourselves and for the poor and needy.  And we will also sell our food products (for as long as conditions allow) so we can buy and maintain our equipment, etc).

Some use these terms to describe this lifestyle:

  • Christian sanctuary 

  • Christian covenant

  • Christian centered 

  • Intentional community

  • Christian Survivalist

  • Green Community

  • Beloved Community

  • Community Fellowship

  • A Kibbutz Commune?

  • RV'er Christian Community

ArkHaven Ministries

Home Page

The ArkHaven Story
(The story behind the name & what the ministry is all about)

About Author & Founder of ArkHaven Ministries

Articles by Guest Authors on Christian Community

Participate in our forum on Self Sufficient Living

See this listing of community seekers and established communities

Hear Kenneth talk about ArkHaven on radio talk shows that are archived here.

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Preparing But Not Afraid

We see the need to prepare our families (physically, mentally, and spiritually) for the hard times we see rushing in on America and the world … very soon.

Worse yet, we feel alone and misunderstood. The church, our family and friends, and in deed the whole world, seems to be asleep and oblivious.

We are looking for like minded Christians who are being led of the Lord as we are, so we can encourage and assist each other.

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Click on book cover to see a directory to all chapters of this book.  The directory also gives a brief quote from every chapter.

Dawning: The Next Great Move of God,

contains answers for Christians who are hungry for greater insight into what God is doing today to bring forth a great end time harvest. The question we must all ask ourselves is, just how hungry are we? Are we truly growing in God’s wisdom and truth, or are we stagnating in the status quo?

But we prefer to use less technical and religious terms and just say we live the peaceful, Acts Model Christian community lifestyle. We think this Acts model also includes the house church fellowship (with no overhead, no salaries, no order of service, and no hierarchy ... just community fellowship.  1 Corinthians 14: 26-40 lets us see inside a church service up close and personal.  We do not speak against "church" buildings (keeping in mind that the church is made up of Christians, not a building) and all that, but we do warn that perhaps thousands of "churches" will unfortunately have to close in 2011 & 2012 due to lack of funds in these financially difficult times.  Hopefully that will encourage those congregations to go back to the Acts Model for the house church and Christian community).

ArkHaven will not be an isolationist or hidden paramilitary armed camp.  Our protection will be divine or none at all.  We are separatists (separated from the world and off the world's grid) but not isolationists who think they can hide from a perceived enemy.  If we are not going to where the needy are and ministering Jesus Christ to them, we are not laying down our lives to serve and witness; we are not living the Acts model. 

The camp that is armed is depending on their own numbers, training, and equipment...the arm of the flesh.  But there is always some group out there that can outgun you.  Our prayer warriors will keep up a prayer hedge about us at all times.  It is God's way to offer a vision of long term provision and peace to a militant band of potential raiders as opposed to a bloody shoot out at OK Corral.

An armed camp invites a challenge from the government or from militant bands.  If an incident arises, we will invite the intruders to join us as an alternative to robbing and killing us.  That way they can eat and have shelter long term, not for just a few days. Most people, who were kind and law abiding before they became desperate, will welcome the opportunity to do the right thing. And PS, we will have more people and arms if things really come to that.  But as you know, the Bible is replete with testimonies of Divine protection and provision.   And so is history.  Here are some examples:

John Brenz, friend of Martin Luther, remembered this verse from 1 Kings while hiding from the Spanish Cavalry.  Emperor Charles V repeatedly tried to assassinate him, and on one occasion Brenz barely heard of the plot in time to grab a loaf of bread and duck into his neighbor's hayloft.  There he hid fourteen days.  The bread was quickly gone, but the Lord sent a hen who showed up and laid an egg each day for fourteen days.  In this way Brenz was kept alive.  On the fifteenth day the chicken didn't come, and the reformer wondered what he would do.  But from the street below came the cries, "The cavalrymen are gone at last."

In a similar way, a dog provided for the needs of another reformer, John Craig, who was arrested during the Inquisition. On the eve of his scheduled execution, Craig escaped, but while fleeing through the Italian backcountry, he ran out of food and money.  Suddenly a dog approached him, a purse in its mouth.  Craig tried to drive the animal away; but the dog persisted in bringing the purse to Craig. In it was enough money to take him to freedom.

Robert Bruce of Scotland was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening.  Bruce's pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near.  Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in.  The other one stopped him, saying, "He could never have gotten in there without breaking that spider's web." Bruce breathed this prayer, "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter."

Ravens, chickens, dogs, spiders, and creatures great and small -- as Jesus once said of a donkey, the Master has need of them.

The militant armed camp mentality does not have any Bible support at all, but reasonable self defense does.  Anxiety and fear are not of God, but operating out of the fruit of the Spirit and the Beatitudes is.  We put more emphasis on growing food than on storing or stockpiling huge stashes of food, water and supplies.

Luke 22:36 -- He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. [37] It is written: `And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment. [38] The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.

Notice that two swords among 12 men was considered enough. Remember, this is a defensive number.

Survivalists (as a general rule) horde food and supplies and arm themselves to protect their stuff.  In contrast, Survivors are able to peacefully bring themselves and others through good and bad times by growing and making everything they need on their own property.  They know how to be totally self sufficient while at the same time be totally dependent on God to lead and protect them.

We love the word of God, and will be prepared  reach out into the surrounding community to serve. We believe each family should attend the church of their choice, but we will be engaged in corporate prayer as a way of life.

 

In 1974 I received my life mission from the Lord

I believe the Holy Spirit told me to call the church to be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for what will transpire in these end times.  Without proper spiritual preparation and maturity we will not be prepared for anything life throws at us, much less the events Bible prophecy says are coming, and in fact, are already here..  The spiritually mature will be led of the Holy Spirit as to where they are to be and how they are to prepare.  The safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will for your life.

At that time He told me I was to prepare His people for a coming financial depression.

This anticipated depression is in all probability going to happen BEFORE the tribulation period begins. Keep in mind that our nation has suffered three wars on this continent, as well as a depression, a dust bowl, 9/11, and Katrina.  To say any of these historical disasters won't or can't happen again in America is foolishness. 

God is not calling all Christians into this kind of a ministry (see David Wilkerson books on this subject), but God is telling all of us to prepare as He would have us prepare (physically, mentally, and spiritually) for the coming economic meltdown. A time will come in our beloved America when some will be called to the high calling of martyrdom, and others to the terrible task of surviving so as to minister to those Christians who were absolutely sure such things could not happen to Christians in America, and to the lost who were also put to sleep by the system keepers.

To the point: we all must know what is coming down and how God would have each of us be prepared for that time.  Obedience entails knowing His voice, and then obeying His instructions.  Again, the safest place on earth is in the center of God's will.

 

In 1990 the Lord told me to study church history

The extensive studies I made over a two and a half year period gave me a lot more perspective into the mission of preparing His people.  There I saw the Acts model for Christian community and how it helped early Christians cope with severe persecution, tribulation, and martyrdom through the first three centuries.  (I should add that when anyone studies church history that extensively, that person’s understanding will then go beyond the boundaries of any given denomination or doctrinal group.  And the more anyone learns, the more they become humbled by the magnitude of how much knowledge they don’t and can’t know.)

 

"Because you have kept my word in quiet strength,
I will keep you from the hour of testing which is coming on all t
he world,
to put to the test those who are on earth." 
Rev 3:10 

 

 

“But realize this, that in the last days
difficult times will come.” — 2 Timothy 3:1  

 

 

"The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it" —Proverbs 22:12

 

 

As fish are caught in a cruel net, as birds are taken in a snare,
so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly on them." —Ecclesiastes 9:12

 

 

"When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do" —Psalms 11:3

 

 

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found:
surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye.   Psalms 32

 

 

 And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame scorch you.”
  —Isaiah 43:2:

 

 

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.   Psalms 91

 

 

The Acts Model church

The Acts (of the Holy Spirit) is God's model for His church in every generation and culture (because neither God nor His Bible ever changes).  The Apostles simply practiced the life style and doctrine that Jesus taught them.  This model goes beyond the community concept found in chapters 2 and 3, the model includes the entire book of Acts.  The book of Acts is more than a history lesson or doctrinal teaching, it is a Holy Spirit inspired life style.  Restoring that which the Apostles established will require a restoration process of repentance and reformation.  For all that Martin Luther restored and reformed, he did not bring this reformation ... this Apostolic life style called "The Way" throughout the book of Acts.  This Christian life style MUST work in every culture and century to be valid.  Since these are of the Holy Spirit and since the Holy Spirit is with (in) each of us today, we can accept this Christian model (lifestyle) as being applicable in our (any) culture today.  The reason we do not get First Century results today is because we do not practice First Century Christianity.  The Reformation and Restoration process will not be complete until we see Him face to face. 

I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity" by By Frank Viola and George Barna.  This book shows us, vividly and painfully, how far we have drifted from the First Century (Acts model) church.  Howard Snyder, Professor of History and Theology of Mission, Asbury Theological Seminary, author of "The Problem of Wineskins" and "The Community of the King," said this about this book:

"Most contemporary Christians are massively ignorant as to how the church got to where it is today and of how much current church practice is due simply to accumulated tradition, with little or no roots in Scripture. This book provides a useful service in peeling back the layers of tradition, showing the origins of much that we today call "church." Christians who want to be biblically faithful, regardless of their particular tradition or church form, can learn and benefit from the book." 

By Christian community we really mean a Christian life style designed after the Acts model and the historic first, second and third century model for the church. The following passages from Acts 2 indicate that these believers were hearing from the Spirit of God, and were in unity as to what to do.

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;

45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

47 praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

We should not assume that all these first century Christians sold everything they had, or that they gave all the money for whatever they sold, to the Apostles.  They continued to live in their own houses (whether owned or rented) and be the heads of their households.  In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira's sin was lying about what they did, not over what they did.

 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Many prophetic people have moved into NW ARK because the Holy Spirit has shown them that this area is especially protected.  There have been numerous confirmations – Corry ten Boom giving one of them.  In 1984 I met a man who was one of those with her when she had an open vision while in the Eureka Springs area.  When she saw five rings of angles on the entire horizon with swords in hand, she exclaimed, “My God!!!  This is a divinely protected place.” 

When I drove into this area for the first, the Lord told me that this is “A green island of survival.”  Read more about this at http://arkhaven.org/the_arkhaven_story.htm .

We want to go into community because it is the best answer to all that ails the church and the world.  Community is the New Testament way to live...the scripture says that we will be known by our love for each other.  Some charge that this is a socialist principle, not realizing they just said they do not believe the Bible and miss the message God is giving us in Acts 5.

As a living example, the Amish think of themselves as a community of believers.  They own their own farms, but they work together to meet all the needs within the community, so between them all, they are totally self sufficient.  Despite their success for centuries, the problem is, their doctrinal stance limits their ability to reach outside their community to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others. They miss the Acts 2: 47 model of “praising God and having favor with all the people, And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”  Years ago most farming communities looked after each other much like the Amish do.

In Practice, most Amish don't live exclusively in a communal group. They have 80 acre farms interspersed among "English" farms. And are personally responsible for choosing their crops and farming practices as observed within the Ordnung (a set of rules for Amish  and Old Order Mennonite living.). Having a big Christian group instead of many smaller ones will likely attract Big Brother sooner to kidnap your children (FLDS fashion) or flame your project (Davidian fashion). There already has been sheriffs taking Mennonites hostage for 8 hours because they didn't have a 'business license" for their coop.

The English colony at Jamestown, Virginia learned this lesson the hard way 400 years ago.  One of the most important lessons of economics, which helped to set the course of America, was demonstrated in that colony.  For the first two years, the colonists had a communal garden, and in those first two years, 50 percent of the colonists died each winter from starvation.  The third year, they decided to give a plot of ground to every person, and let them each eat what they grew personally.  No one ever starved at Jamestown again.  Socialism doesn’t work because Socialists don’t work.  And as Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” 

We Recommend This  Audio/Video For a Deeper Study of Acts 2

Fundamentals of Ecclesiology: Jacob Prasch teaches from Acts 2

Moriel Ministries

Jacob Prasch is a Hebrew-speaking evangelist to the Jews and a Bible teacher elaborating on the original Judeo-Christian background and hermeneutics of the New Testament. He has also been a conservative voice for biblically based discernment among moderate Pentecostals and Charismatics opposed to the seductions prevalent in today’s church.

Jacob Prasch uses Acts Chapter 2 to discuss the essentials of church structure, fellowship, and worship.           Watch 
Video

Jacob Prasch discusses the essentials of church structure, fellowship, and worship, based on Acts, chapter 2.   Play 
Audio

This and other messages found at http://www.radiofreechurch.com/speaker_display/1?page=2&sort=alpha

 

 

Not Socialism or a commune

To the point, the Acts model we see in chapters 2 and 3 is not Socialistic or a commune, it is as Jesus said  in Matthew 25: 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'  Here is the whole quote:

 

 31"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.

 32"All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

 33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

 34"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 35'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'

 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

 38'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

 39'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

 40"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

 41"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

 42for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

 43I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'

 44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'

 45"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

 46"These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

So, the Acts model is to minister to Jesus by ministering to the needs of the brethren so we can be counted amongst the sheep rather than the goats. 

 

There is no social, economic, political or government solution

In my opinion we are in the last days prophesied in the Bible.  The Antichrist, the Beast System, and the One World Government WILL arise, and it will NOT be DEFEATABLE until God defeats it at the battle of Armageddon, so the notions expressed in the below letter for activist political and armed resistance planning and organization will only walk into the enemies plans.  Therefore we are in a time when this entire end-time scenario is being staged, and there are no social, economic, political or government solutions. 

Realizing we are undoubtedly coming into the worst economic depression in history, I also hope to become totally self sufficient so we can go off the grid before the grid goes off, but not just for the selfish, self preservation purpose of surviving. We intend to minister to our own community members, and be able to go into local towns and minister to others, even if our lives are at risk … as were the first, second, and third century Christians.  I am willing to live or die for my Jesus.  Accomplishing these two goals will have us prepared for any other eventualities that are seen by so many (tribulation, all kinds of disasters, antichrist, etc).  Yes, we are preparing but not in fear (Join our forum by this name).

That is what the Apostles did.  They were involved in Kingdom of God matters only.  Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s,”  and so we abide by the laws of the land. I used to be an activist, but God took me out of all that and showed me the only solution is Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  

 

The article below is one perspective of a group of believers who wish to live in a Christian environment, and what they are doing to be prepared:  

http://www.futurequake.com/FQ_PastShows.htm

7 - 11 Sep 09 7 - 11 Sep 09

The Latest Techniques And Initiatives By Christians To "Get Out of Babylon"

Show Audio File &  Press Release of Show Description

Keith Humphrey, Frank Janoski, Paul Smith, Robert Rudnick,

"Christian Exodus" Web Site:    www.ChristianExodus.com 

  

Non-Christian Community Concepts

By nature I am a quiet spoken diplomat, but when it comes to gathering in the core group of our community, I need to not only really be understood, but I need to clearly understand those that write to me.  This year,  a lady in NY City called me, and I had to tell her she is a New Ager and is not saved.  But she is not the first one. 

I see no comparison what-so-ever between First century Christians and the Branch Davidian mentality.  Many people think they were Christians but if one studies their leader and doctrine you will see they were a demonic, sexually perverted, heretical cult living in a heavily armed fortress.  Their well publicized prophecy that they would be attacked by government forces some day, and might have to fight to the death to defend themselves from persecution became a self-fulfilling prophecy (Yes, it is also true that the Government attack on them was unwarranted and illegal).  In contrast, the Mennonite’s pacifist prophecy over themselves has preserved them for all these centuries. 

 

Why the Mennonites Have succeeded

The Mennonites success in Community living comes from their emphasis on the Beatitudes, so I am studying Matthew 5 again.  That is the mindset that works for them.  I have never been a Mennonite and have no interest in becoming one (they are pacifists and Post Millennial), but they do have this (just a servant of God) Christian quality/virtue about them.  ArkHaven will be neither pacifistic nor an armed fortress.

 1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5                                                

VISION: God has compelled me to believe that ArkHaven is an ark, as in Noah's Ark and Ark of the covenant...God's promise to protect and provide for His called out ones.   No one location is big enough or close enough for everyone to come to, so ArkHaven hopes to train, equip, and mentor other committed believers with the same vision to set up other communities all over the world. We will not form this community for the sole purpose of living this life style, but to be in a position to survive so we can help others survive when a depression and/or national disaster strikes.  But survival is not our ultimate goal either, our goal is to minister Jesus Christ. That is our vision.

PREPARING BUT NOT AFRAID

Join our Yahoo Group and correspond with all the other community minded members.

We see the need to prepare our families (physically, mentally, and spiritually) for the hard times rushing in on America and the world … very soon.

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Worse yet, we feel alone and misunderstood. The church, our family and friends, and in deed the whole world, seems to be asleep and oblivious.

We are looking for like minded Christians who are being led of the Lord as we are, so we can encourage and assist each other.

Let’s especially be open to ways we can form intentional communities in our area, and if necessary make plans to move to "safe havens". Perhaps just getting as many people connected as possible is what is necessary so that we know who we can turn to and where they are located.

With your help, this “Intentional Christian Community Forum” will hopefully be found by all believers who need ideas, resources, information, encouragement and support as they prepare for the difficult times ahead.

 

Community Concepts

I would like for the community to assemble at least 5 mornings a week for prayer and praise … and to schedule our day … but I also think it will be healthy for us to be in local churches on Saturdays or Sundays.  That keeps down the gossip that we are a weird cult group, and in fact keeps us from becoming one.  I learned this from the YWAM’ers years ago (my wife was YWAM trained in Hawaii).

It will be essential for the core group of each community to mature in their Christian walk, as we will be involved in hard work as well as being of one heart from God's perspective.  It will make no difference what the people we serve believe, as we are there to be a witness for them.

By starting out with these goals in place we will be more able to start moving into living by miracles alone.  We can’t start there, but we had better be able to end there ... just in case there are no options. 

How ArkHaven Got its Name

The name "ArkHaven" is in reference to the Ark of the Covenant and to Noah's Ark.  Both of these Arks were covered with God's promise, protection, and provision.  Read the ArkHaven story.

The Lord is certainly pressing His preparation into the hearts and minds of those who have an ear to hear.  Are you one of them?

My vision is to form a community of "intentional neighbors" that will be totally self sufficient, self reliant, and able to operate outside the system when the economy crashes. Some use terms like "Christian sanctuary", or "Christian covenant" or "Christian centered", to describe this lifestyle.

We use such thoughts as self sufficient, frugal, frugality, self-reliance, and sustainability to define what ArkHaven is all about, but ArkHaven is Christ centered and therefore much bigger than what those words can convey.

 

·         CLICK HERE to see maps showing the location of five "Green islands of survival," North West Arkansas being one of them.  The maps are big, so the screen will take a few seconds to come up.

·         CLICK HERE  to read the prophetic, miraculous story behind the ArkHaven name.

·         CLICK HERE  to read the biography and testimony of the founder of ArkHaven Ministries, Kenneth Uptegrove.

·         CLICK HERE to find a FORUM for self sufficient living.  What advice, what testimonies, what links do you offer the rest of us who are living or want to live the self sufficient lifestyle?  You do not have to be interested in Christian community or preparing for hard times to be qualified to share with this group. You will find a listing of everything needed for self sufficient living, such as heirloom seeds, foam domes, generators, and many other things.

·         CLICK HERE  to read a prophetic article on Christian community by Jeanette Reed that says God is telling us difficult times are upon us.  David Wilkerson wrote two books proclaiming a coming economic collapse.

·         CLICK HERE  to see a listing of people in your area who are looking for others to join together with to prepare for the coming hard times.

·         CLICK HERE  to hear Kenneth Uptegrove on archived radio talk shows he has been interviewed on about this subject.

                 

 

                  OUR PLAN:

STATUS: We are not living our vision yet, but we have posted the vision here as a statement of faith that we will eventually band together with others as intentional neighbors, as a Christian community. You will not find any "conspiracy theory" literature on this website, that is not where we are coming from.  Our views are very consistent with the Biblical views found in the books on a coming depression by David Wilkerson and Larry Burkett.

Among those who believe God has called them to prepare, there seems to be two distinct groups.  One group has the resources to purchase all they need but do not have the time and/or skills to make it happen.  The other group has the skills and an income that will sustains their present standard of living but lack the funds to prepare adequately.

I am wondering why these two groups can't each give what the other needs.

In our family, Lora loves to work with livestock and I am the horticulturist.  Even though I am a computer professional, I am also proficient in most of the building skills.  Oh, and I have been in excellent health all my life, and still am.  Read my testimony here  

In reference to our doctrinal group, we define ourselves simply as born again, Acts Model believers who have laid down our lives to our Lord and Savior, and who believe the Bible is the Holy, infallible Word of God.  That alone separates us from some doctrinal groups, but at the same time identifies us with others.

WHY: We anticipate the coming of troubled times happening BEFORE the official "Great Tribulation" comes.  Even as you read this message, millions of Christians in China and other nations are under terrible tribulation and persecution and martyrdom on this very day.  To say it can't happen in America is not being realistic.  After all, have we forgotten that there have been three wars and one depression in the continental United States, so why can't there be another one?  But to say we should prepare for such an eventuality as best we can is realistic. 

· It will take a lot of Godly wisdom to know what to prepare for, and how to prepare for it.  Understanding how to prepare will take Christians like you receiving a revelatory word from God, and then being obedient to move on the direction God has given you.   We have to live it before we can give it.

·  I (Kenneth Uptegrove) am reporting on what my wife (Lora) and I feel God has shown us and many others.   

   HOW: Providing our own food, water, power and septic system, such as....

· Truck farming: Hydroponics, greenhouses, gardens, berry bushes, fruit trees, grains,, all done by the natural and organic method.  We anticipate that insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, gasoline, and just about everything needed to do conventional farming will no longer be available.  We will have to revert back to the way farming was done before all these things became available, and that is the natural and organic method.

· Animal husbandry: Chickens, ducks and geese, fish farm, milking goats, draft horses, etc.

· Either an artesian well or a large spring with our own water tower and pipelines.

· Either a large wooded area or a natural gas well on the land for an energy source.

·  Several 500 gal. propane gas tanks are an option.

· Solar panels, and will consider 50 ft. wind generators.

· The kind of septic system that purifies waste water so well that it can be used to water a lawn.

· We will always be dependant upon God as our source and our hope, utilizing what He makes available for us to use to survive and to serve all who come to us. 

·Christian agricultural cooperatives: Different local communities or families (within walking distance from each other?) interacting and working with each other. 

  • We will not only provide food for ourselves and sell it on the market, but food for the poor and needy.

 

WHERE: Somewhere in the six counties in the extreme Northwest corner of Arkansas (Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Boon, Newton counties).

   Here are some pictures of Northwest Arkansas:

http://www.ozarkmountainregion.com/

http://www.mountainstateparks.com   

http://www.ozarkmountainregion.com/navigate/8

http://www.ozarkmountainregion.com/node/758

 

   BIBLE PRECEDENT:  These precedents need little introduction.

·         Moses showed us that we must accept the possibility that we may eventually and ultimately be living by miracles alone as his people did in the wilderness.  God provided physical protection, provision, and promise. 

·   Joseph is another model for us.  He had seven good years to prepare Egypt and his family for seven bad years.  Whatever time we have left we need to be preparing for the eventuality of the coming bad years, however many years that may be.  Goshen was a protected area that stayed green during those 7 bad years, and it was protected again during the time of Moses and the plagues.  May God lead each of us into a Goshen land.

·   Noah was instructed by God to prepare a place (Ark) that was totally self sufficient so he and his family could survive the flood.  The Ark was God's place of promise, provision and protection.  ArkHaven was named after the Ark model, but incorporates the insight these three models give us.

·         Elijah was instructed by the Lord to go to the brook Cherith, and there God sent ravens to feed him.  Then the Lord told Elijah to go to Zarephath to be fed by a widow.  God instructs some to prepare and others He instructs to go where God has arranged things so they will  be provided for.

 

IS GOD PROMPTING YOU as you read this article to contact me to talk about and pray over what the Lord is showing you?

give to Self sufficient ArkHaven Christian Community in North West Arkansas survialist preperation for troubled times

How to contact Ken Uptegrove:

Home: 479-304-3007

Call: 479-601-1978

(Please call CST after 7 PM or before 7 AM or on weekends and holidays)

OR

      E-mail us
                

parable of the wheat and tares restoration bride Christ Ephesians 4:11 overcomers unity spirit faith end-time harvest nine spiritual gifts five fold ministries

 

BOOKS BY DAVID WILKERSON:  God gave me this vision in 1974,  24 years before Wilkerson wrote these books.  If you find David Wilkerson a credible man of God that speaks the truth of God, these books should be on your "must read" list.  Read more about these books CLICK HERE

·           America's Last Call. On the Brink of a Financial Holocaust (1998)

·         God’s Plan To Protect His People In The Coming Depression  (1998)

 

    CLICK HERE to read about survival and community aspects  such as "Green Island of Survival" and "Intentional Neighbors."

 

    CLICK HERE>>> http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=17378 to hear what it will take to make a Christian community work. 

 

Well, here is a sermon that you will love/hate, but it tells us what must be in place for a Christian community to be in unity and harmony and be able to meet the needs of those in the community, whether in good or hard times. Preached Wednesday, October 22nd at the Revival Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Paul Washer delivers an urgent appeal to the Christians and Churches in North America that many have been believing a false gospel and have false assurance of their salvation. It is a wakeup call to self examination, as he lists 10 indictments against the modern Church system in America. This is a historical urgent message, tell others and spread the message. We need a reformation and revival of a biblical standard!

 

Do you have any suggestions or comments?  Write to ArkHaven

  mailto:ken@arkhaven.org?subject=ArkHaven Christian Community  

 

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give to Self sufficient ArkHaven Christian Community in North West Arkansas survialist preperation for troubled times

How to contact Ken Uptegrove:

Home: 479-304-3007

Call: 479-601-1978

(Please call CST after 7 PM or before 7 AM or on weekends and holidays)

OR

      E-mail us
                

parable of the wheat and tares restoration bride Christ Ephesians 4:11 overcomers unity spirit faith end-time harvest nine spiritual gifts five fold ministries

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