Jared Gustafson from Redlands Spearheads Global Initiative to Combat Social Isolation

REDLANDS, Calif. - Oct. 7, 2023 - PRLog -- In a world witnessing a rise in technological interconnection but a simultaneous surge in social isolation, Jared Gustafson from Redlands, California, and Matt Spinks from Fort Wayne, Indiana, have come together to tackle this paradox. Renowned for their dedication to community development and faith-based initiatives, they collaborated with esteemed global leaders from Edinburgh, Scotland, and Bern, Switzerland, to organize an international conference advocating faith community-centered lifestyles.

The conference, aptly named Kainos Koininia, made its debut in 2015, bringing together a diverse array of individuals who shared a common objective: revitalizing strong, interdependent communities rooted in faith and shared values. The event provided a unique platform for individuals, community leaders, and Christians seeking to rediscover their faith beyond the conventional trappings of institutional Christianity, facilitating discussions on countering societal trends towards isolation and self-sufficiency.

The escalating tide of individualism and a decline in communal bonds had raised alarms globally. Experts highlighted the concerning correlation between social isolation and various mental health challenges, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscored the urgent need to reaffirm the significance of robust community connections. Gustafson and Spinks, having recognized this alarming trend, took proactive steps to address it.

The duo emphasized to Bible-based believers that their faith fundamentally originated in shared life, intimacy, and connection. They shed light on how modern evangelical churches had drifted from these foundational principles, adopting structures devoid of genuine human relationships. Their vision was to call believers back to an ancient communal faith, placing a strong emphasis on love,  living in close proximity, and empowering every voice to share and participate.

Spinks underscored that this was not a novel concept but rather a return to an ancient communal faith dating back to the first generational church where believers met in homes. Gustafson reiterated ""Much of what we have today in evangelical church, is something completely different from our roots. It looks nothing like what Jesus came to build and establish. We have traded authentic connection with man-made programs."

The international conference was a comprehensive platform featuring a range of interactive sessions, meals, dancing, and workshops. These sessions delved into integrating faith-based practices into daily life to foster resilient communities of other-centered love and support.

Through this conference, Gustafson and Spinks aimed to inspire communities worldwide to embrace faith-centered lifestyles, prioritizing interconnectedness, compassion, and mutual support. This gathering acted as a catalyst for change, envisioning a socially integrated and empathetic world, where robust communal bonds are reignited, nurturing a sense of purpose and collective prosperity.

For more: http://www.jaredgustafsonredlands.com