MEET THE EDEN Community!

Laura is passionate about helping people connect their lives and work with God’s mission, equipping them to healthily and creatively contextualize God’s good news in their own lives and locations. She holds MDiv and DMin degrees, both from ACU. She currently directs the Eden Fellows program, and she regularly teaches for the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry at ACU.

Rosten’s vocation has led him to serve Abilene’s most vulnerable residents and neighborhoods, particularly addressing homelessness and housing insecurity. Through this work, he has developed significant skills and partnerships with people of diverse socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, including relationships with key Abilene leaders. He holds an MA in Christian Ministry and is currently executive director of Abilene Habitat for Humanity, an organization whose mission fits squarely with the Eden Community’s.

John holds an MA in Missions from ACU. He currently works as a computer engineer and part-time yoga instructor. He holds a permaculture certificate and loves exploring regenerative ways of living. He currently serves as leader of the Eden Community’s Land Development Circle.

Shannon serves as a the Dean of Community and Wellness at Abilene Christian University. She works closely with others on ACU’s campus to support the psychological, social, and spiritual health of students. She has an MS in Counseling Psychology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education, Leadership, and Organization.

Brenda and Dan spent 21 years in Ghana as cross-cultural workers, and they have continued 16 more years serving and teaching in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Brenda now enjoys her retirement living on the Eden Community land, where she explores the flora and fauna of the beautiful mesa, always surprised by something new. She continues to travel and teach as opportunities arise and God fills her sails. Her background and degrees are in social work, biology and ESL.

Dan and Brenda spent 21 years in Ghana as cross-cultural workers, and they have continued 16 more years serving and teaching in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Dan’s educational background is in Biblical Studies (BA), Intercultural Studies (MA), and Islamic Studies (MA), along with full certification in ESL. Dan devotes himself to sharing the message of beloved community wherever the winds of God take him and Brenda.

After 15 years of service in Africa, Danetta now devotes herself to teaching and nurturing in a variety of contexts—with her own family at home, regular care for the youngest members of the Eden Community, and tutoring at-risk students in public schools. Besides being a certified teacher, she has an MEd in curriculum and instruction. Danetta also does bookkeeping for the Eden Community, and she works closely doing property management and community development with our partner organization, AbiDE.

Ian grew up in Africa and later spent 15 years there training church leaders in spiritual formation and ministry. He is also a co-founder of LivingStone International University in Uganda. His experience in the United States includes pastoral ministry and teaching in high-school and university settings. In addition to his extensive theological training, Ian has a PhD in agricultural education and communication and is a permaculture design specialist. He joins Danetta in working with AbiDE.

Karen has been a teacher of children with emotional issues and has also done some homeschooling with her own children and grandchildren. With Kent, she has helped form missionaries and missionary teams for 20 years. In this season she enjoys freelance writing as a way to teach and share spiritual insights. She has published in several magazines and is a dedicated blogger.

Over a lifetime of service in congregational, academic, and non-profit settings, Kent has worked toward seeing a vibrant family of Jesus in close reach of everyone. For over 30 years, he has taught and trained missionaries at Abilene Christian University and beginning in 2004 directed ACU’s graduate internship in missional leadership for 12 years.

The 10 children and teenagers currently living at home as part of the Eden Community play an important role in its life and work as an intergenerational community! In addition to bringing us incredible joy, they contribute to our life together in significant ways, teaching us a great deal about life together in God’s family. They are an integral part of the community’s capacity to model life as a vibrant family of Jesus!