A vision for hospitality, spirituality and integral ecology
Among the farms, churches and monasteries of Quebec’s lush countryside, Villa de Brome stands out as a place to retreat from the daily grind while intentionally working both the soil of guests’ hearts and the actual soil under their feet (VillaDeBrome.com).
Located an hour from Montreal in the Eastern Townships, the Villa has a storied past. Once an orphanage, then a summer camp, it’s now a multipurpose facility offering rooms to rent for retreats, conferences or simply an affordable night of rest for skiers and cyclists.
The caretakers of these 113 acres of forest and fertile land envision more than a beautiful getaway. "We want to work the land to feed people," says Richard Boucher, head of its ecological program. "When I came to Christ, my eyes were opened to God’s hand in everything. We must be aware of all that God has given us."
This integrated passion for God and land led naturally to a connection with A Rocha, a global family of Christian conservation organizations. Villa de Brome is now part of the Friends of A Rocha Network, and a burgeoning friendship is growing in the soil of their common vision and hope.
Alongside sustainable agriculture and hospitality, fostering spirituality is also key to the Villa’s mission. While owned and operated by the French Baptist Union, the Villa is open to all, offering everything from simple hospitality to spiritual companioning to their guests. Beyond the many spaces in the primary structure dedicated to community building and leisure, an entire building has been made to facilitate study and spiritual formation, away from the main bustle of activities.
Boucher invites more "people to get involved and use the Villa as their own," so the vision for the Villa can be realized more fully.