Church Farm
Creation restored in Action
Why Church Farm
We are delighted to share that the Trust has relocated to its new home at Church Farm, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire, DE6 1QP.
Since 1989, under the banner of Covenant Ministries International, the Trust has operated from Nettle Hill in Coventry, following our earlier beginnings in Yorkshire. Throughout our years in the Midlands, we have experienced many changes in our team, church partnerships, and theological understanding. Over time, Covenant Ministries became known as Together for Christ His Kingdom and Church, with our earliest Trust name, Harvestime, originating in Bradford.
Our mission has always remained steadfast: to advance the Christian faith, support those in need or hardship, and provide education rooted in Christian values.
In recent years, it became clear that a move from Nettle Hill was necessary to refocus on these core aims. While at Nettle Hill, the Trust developed a business aspect through hospitality services. However, recognizing the need to return to our foundational goals, we made the decision to sell the property. After a two-year journey, we are now settled in our beautiful new rural setting.
We believe our vision must be lived out in tangible ways, allowing others to witness and experience what we stand for. Advancing the Christian faith is a dynamic process, and we continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as our teacher, illuminating the Word. Restoration has been a central theme for us—restoring the Church, ministries, individuals, and society. Our understanding has deepened to embrace God’s original plan: the restoration of all things, including Creation itself. With this in mind, the Trust has purchased land to help demonstrate God’s desire for heaven and earth to be united. In this new season, we will develop Creational Theology, working to see the restoration of Creation reflected both in our thinking and in our actions.
We are more convinced than ever that believers are called to display life to both the land and its people. For many years, our focus has been on people, but we have often neglected our responsibility to the land. We now seek to restore this balance, giving voice to all of God’s creation—land and people alike. As we have often said: where there is God, there are people, and always a land.
Church Farm is now our home. Deeply rooted in the history of Alsop en le Dale, the farm sits beside the 12th-century St. Michael’s Church. The hamlet itself, known as Elleshope in 1086, was recorded in the Domesday Book as belonging to the King.
We look forward to this new chapter and to all that God has in store for us at Church Farm.
Creation Theology
The trust believes deeply in sharing the message of the Father, through developing our understanding in scripture and practices. That we might be a light on a hill, a place were people can come and study, question and engage in the theology of creation. To start you off we have a number of blogs posts that discuss this area and we are always looking for more people to add to these blog posts and engage in the conversation. Do look out for events coming soon.
Living Sustainable in a doomed world, the prophetic voice of the Church
What are the plans
Over the next 5 years we plan to develop a biodiversity management plan that uphold nature, celebrates diversity and engages in community.
* We will be putting together sabbatical programs and gap years for those that would like to develop skills In working the land along side bible study.
* We plan to develop a well being program that celebrates the restoration of our souls as we rest in nature.
* We plan to plant trees, develop a market garden, community eating place and gathering spot.
* Develop an outdoor gathering spot, to come together to praise and give thanks.
* We plan to develop a network of farmers, landowners, gardener, and nature lovers that all are working to restore, bring 'heaven to earth'
How people can get involved.
There are lots of ways to get involved right now,
* engage in the blogs and right one yourself.
* Come and work the land with us.
* Come and stay in the accommodation for some time away and get to know what we are doing.
* Get involved in the intern program/Gap year or the sabbaticals with us.
Get in touch with Abigail Lynch at aby@togetherweb.net for any further information you would like.