At its core, Companions for Hope is a missional group of neighbours 'on purpose' committed to cultivating abundant community from the ground up through discipleship, friendship, and hospitality.
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OUR PURPOSE
In ecological systems, an 'edge' is the frontier between two systems (e.g., between a woodland and open pasture or between a pond and the shore). As the frontier—or interface—between two systems, edges characteristically have more biodiversity than single systems alone. In fact, edges can create unique habitats, microclimates, where 'niche species' flourish.
We can also observe the 'edge effect' when it comes to people and habitat. A community garden outside of a prison, an eco-community centre in the inner-city, a parish church struggling to welcome its wider neighbourhood, or a pop-up café at a bus stop could all be seen as 'edges' where the greatest degree of human diversity tends to occur.
The question is: are the encounters and relationships at these 'edges' harmful or beneficial?
In terms of Christian ministry and engagement, it may be that we have a vocational call to witness and cultivate the diversity of relationship at the 'edges' where 'niche communities' emerge.
Perhaps that is the collective vocation of Companions for Hope.