On this day I’d like to remember the legacy of Clarence and Florence Jordan. I will not allow history to forget the work of any individual committed to the eternal fight for racial equality and justice plaguing this great nation. In 1942 amidst segregation and rampant racism in the South they founded a beacon of kinship known as Koinonia Farm in Fort Sumter, Georgia. The property is named in honor of the Greek word Koinonia which has no exact translation but embodies the idyllic rules of living under Christ. Naturally as a biblical scholar and agriculturist Clarence Jordan based the farm in Christian principles with an emphasis on equality for all and the sharing of all resources in common.
Koinonia was special in its lack of distinction between Black and White farmers. They received the same wages and lived in the same communities amongst one another. In fact it was commonplace for everyone to eat dinner together at the end of the day. This was unheard of in the South at this time. Never before had locals seen Blacks and Whites eating at the same table and living in the same houses as equals.
Clarence Jordan and his experiment in intentional living were targeted heavily by locals who quickly turned to terrorism. The Ku Klux Klan tried to intimidate them into selling the farm for half its value. In fact it wasn’t uncommon for the children on property to be shot at on a daily basis by vigilantes. During high school, residents of Koinonia often experienced being called everything from “niggerlovers” to “communists”. Koinonia farm stands as well as storefronts out in the town were oftentimes blown up and boycotted. Little to none of this was covered by the local media who refused to “sensationalize” Koinonia.
Over the years Koinonia has attracted all kinds of folks from different walks of life. These included everyone from young rebels in the hippie movements of the 60s to Christians searching for the prophetic spirit. Among these residents one of notable distinction is Millard Fuller. After vacationing in Florida and giving away their fortune as well as possessions, the Fuller’s happened upon Koinonia Farm. Clarence Jordan immediately convinced them to stay and took Fuller under his wing.
Together Jordan and Fuller developed the idea of partnership housing which entailed the disenfranchised working with volunteers to realize their dreams of home ownership. I hope this concept sounds familiar. Millard Fuller began his project called The Fund for Humanity on Koinonia farms with 42 half acre homes. It soon evolved into a little known organization called Habitat for Humanity.
Today Koinonia Farm is committed to preserving Clarence Jordan’s prophetic vision for an intentional community of equality and brothership. The property is now open for tours and offers internships for those interested in learning more about Christian values. You can learn more about these opportunities at https://www.koinoniafarm.org/.
This was only a brief introduction into the legacy of the Jordan’s. For more information, I would suggest watching the PBS documentary Briars in the Cotton Patch which extensively covers the development and present day conditions of Koinonia.
