Vision
The Society of St. Andrew envisions a world in which physical and spiritual hungers are met through God’s grace and abundance in Jesus Christ.
Mission Statement
The Society of St. Andrew brings people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishment to hungry neighbors.
History
The Horne and Buchanan families on the Big Island, Virginia farm in 1979.
In the Spring of 1978, Reverend Ken and Jean Horne, Reverend Ray and Marian Buchanan, Reverend Jeff and Susan Allen, and their families began praying daily for God’s guidance in beginning a shared ministry. Out of this period of intentional prayer, a plan for an intentional Christian community emerged, dedicated to helping resolve the problem of world hunger.
This plan was presented to the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1979. Bishop Goodson appointed Ken and Ray to a “special appointment beyond the local church” so they could found The Society of St. Andrew in Big Island, Virginia. SoSA was founded on the mandate of 1 John 3:18: Let us love not only in words, but in deed and in truth.
The Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) takes its name from a moment of profound faith found in John 6. When faced with a hungry crowd of thousands, most of the disciples saw an impossible problem and suggested sending the people away. But Jesus offered a different solution: feed the hungry.
While others questioned, Andrew went to work. He didn’t wait for a miracle to appear; he sought out a solution within the community. He found a young boy willing to share his small lunch of five loaves and two fish. Andrew brought what he found to Jesus, believing that if we do our part, the Lord provides abundance.
By gathering what remains so that nothing is lost, we continue St. Andrew’s legacy of hearing the call and serving our neighbors in need.
Core Values
The Society of St. Andrew organizes its work around four core values:
Faith
Compassion
Stewardship
