The grand Three Hills experiment

Situated in a country estate nestled on the eastern slopes of Virginia’s Allegheny mountain range, the Three Hills initiative (1993 - 2014) attempted to develop — and then immerse weary, wounded, and/or transitioning leaders into — a pocket of Kingdom culture: a culture of transformation. Starting with a gracious country inn and handful of cottages, a complex was created which grew to include a restaurant, conference center, and residential community. Along the way and in the background, in the margins and underlying it all, a ministering community was formed.

The goal was to utilize portions of the country inn and residential villas to create inviting facilities where people could stay a few days, retreat for a few weeks, live for a few months or, if need be, relocate for a year or two. For over 20 years, the for-profit operations provided the framework for a range of non-profit endeavors, making an array of spaces accessible to Kingdom leaders at little or no cost - often at critical life junctures. The intent was for guests to become family, experiencing healing and renewal in the living, evolving context of a community of Jesus-followers. Then, optimally, they could be unleashed into a new season of fruitful Kingdom living. 

Along the way we wanted to clarify and share learnings about how this happens, but we were not really about creating a primarily theoretical model (“Come, learn the theory and concepts of how this can work.”)  We hoped that healing would take place in lives, but we intentionally bypassed a more specifically therapeutic model (“Come to our therapy center and let a team of high-priced professionals lead you through our highly structured program”), as helpful as these may be.

Instead, our intent was to create a special kind of space. A place with an open heaven, awash in the presence of God. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, embellished by the ambiance of a historic country inn. Resourced by a committed staff team proactively sharing in the life of an authentic Kingdom community. Yes, flawed individuals pursuing their own journeys, but securely anchored in the transformational realities and mysteries of very real life in God’s Kingdom. All learning to play, worship, reflect, communicate, dream, create — and be refreshingly, increasingly real along the way.

This multi-dimensional two-decade-long grounded theory research project involved what we came to call a “bounded open space" model. Create a certain kind of space with clear definition and boundaries, well-articulated values, intentional processes and appropriate resourcing. Invite people into that space and into an organic, open-ended journey, undergirded with hunger for, openness to, and anticipation of fresh forward movement.

Model the values and engage the process. Walk alongside and stay alert, with the expectation that God will show up and do what only He can do, orchestrating a process that only He fully understands.

Of course, the journey came complete with bumps, bruises, and well-learned lessons — which is all part of the process. But hundreds of transformed lives, marriages, and families scattered around the world today attest to the effectiveness of what was, in effect, a working model. A grand experiment. 

Only the grace of God can transform such crusty loaves and squirming fishes into life-giving, supernaturally replicating realities.