Hospitality

Koinonians eating in the dining hall

Joy Through Generous Hospitality — the first line of Koinonia’s Vision Statement — beautifully captures the heart of our mission. Since 1942, hospitality has been at the core of Koinonia Farm. We welcome all, whether for a meal, a tour, or an extended stay. Our doors are open to individuals, families, and groups of all faiths and backgrounds, offering a peaceful space for reflection and renewal.

From short-term visits to longer stays through our Internship or Come, Stay Awhile & Serve (CSAS) programs, everyone who joins us experiences the simplicity and warmth that define life at Koinonia. Guest housing is simple, cozy, clean, and comfortable, giving you a place to relax and find peace in our community.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. —Hebrews 13:2 (NASB)

Community and Connection
When groups visit for youth camps, high school, or college retreats, Koinonia is a lively, joyful place filled with activities like bonfires, games, and meaningful conversations. Whether you’re here for a few hours or a few nights, you are always welcome to join our rhythm of prayer, work, study, service, and fellowship.

Extend Koinonia’s Hospitality Beyond the Farm
Our hospitality doesn’t stop at our doorstep. We carry the spirit of Koinonia wherever we go, serving communities near and far with the same generosity and kindness we show on the farm.

Since 1942, hospitality has been at the heart of Koinonia Farm. Through all the ups and downs, inviting people to stay with us, share a meal, and experience life in community has been our central ministry. There are so many ways you can support this vital work. Here are four:

Our community meals bring together neighbors, guests, interns, staff, members and anyone in need. A gift of $100 helps cover the cost of a lunch, while $75 helps cover a dinner (lunch crowds are usually larger). Even if you can’t join us in person, your donation makes it possible to share these meals with love and care.

Monthly donors are particularly helpful. Whether it’s $100, $75, or another amount, your recurring gift ensures that plates are filled and hearts are nourished.

Welcoming guests year-round means keeping our spaces warm, simple, and inviting. From repairs to new sheets, towels, and furnishings, maintaining our guest rooms requires ongoing care. A gift of $500 adds to our fund to keep these spaces ready for the next visitor.

If $500 isn’t in your budget, a monthly gift of any amount makes a difference. Together, we can continue to offer restful, beautiful spaces to all who come.

Support Koinonia’s gardens by donating a commemorative brick. Your gift helps create prayer gardens, pathways, and seating areas for guests to enjoy the peace and beauty of the farm. Bricks are placed near Clarence’s Writing Shack—a beloved spot for contemplation and prayer.

There are two sizes of bricks available, each with space for a personalized message. A commemorative brick is a meaningful way to honor a loved one or share a memory of your time at Koinonia. The link below will take you to Koinonia Farm Store, where you can fill out all the information.

People come to Koinonia for many reasons. No matter why, we welcome them with good food, a warm bed, and a joyous heart. Over the years, we’ve opened our doors to thousands of people from all walks of life. Regardless of race, religion, background, or anything else that might divide us, all are welcome here.

Help Koinonia continue to offer this radical welcome.

Jimmy Carter was the same person under the glaring light of politics as he was under the streetlight’s soft glow in Plains. A good and decent man, he lived with integrity no matter the circumstance.

In the 1950s, when others heeded the call to boycott Koinonia—refusing to sell to or buy from us—he did not. Our neighbor sold us fertilizer to keep our farm going, even when it meant his business became the next target of boycott. He did not back down.

When his presidency ended sooner than he hoped, his values held firm. Our paths crossed again. Koinonia Partnership Housing built 192 homes in Sumter County, planting the seeds of what would grow into Habitat for Humanity. President Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter did more than lend their names and voices to the fledgling organization; they rolled up their sleeves and worked on countless Habitat builds themselves.

The stories of Koinonia’s friendship with Jimmy Carter are many. At the heart of them all is a shared commitment to peacemaking, service, faith, equality, and common decency. Koinonia was founded as a demonstration plot for Christian living, but often, we only had to look seven miles down the road to see someone demonstrating it for us.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Jimmy.

Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, giving a speech to a group of people at Koinonia's Picnic Hill
President and Rosalynn Carter on Picnic Hill, Koinonia Farm