A fascinating documentary takes viewers inside a Texas community that lives similarly to the Amish, privileging traditional practices over technology.
Documentary filmmaker Kirsten Dirksen spent time exploring Homestead Heritage, which spans 510 acres in Waco, Texas.
The Christian community of more than 1,000 residents states on its website that it “emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftsmanship.”
“It also strives to live in peaceful coexistence with the land, other people and other religions.”
In a YouTube video, Kirsten talks to several members of the community to get a sense of what life is like at Homestead Heritage, and in the end, sums it up as “idyllic.”
Documentary filmmaker Kirsten Dirksen spent time exploring Homestead Heritage, which spans 510 acres in Waco, Texas.
The Christian community of more than 1,000 residents states on its website that it “emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftsmanship.”
Greg Godsey, co-owner of the firm Heritage Coffee Shop and Heritage Architecture, reveals that he moved to Homestead Heritage with his wife from Austin after becoming disillusioned with city life.
He explains: ‘I really loved my job and I loved what I was doing and yet my wife and I felt like we needed to get out of the suburbs and reconnect with the land.
“We knew this community and we wanted to gain ground in this direction.”
Greg says the lifestyle was a “major change” at first and he went from owning a business to selling metal panels.
But, over time, he found opportunities to establish himself in the community and was able to finish his architecture license to open his own practice and help run a coffee business.
In the film, Benjamin Neikirk, co-owner of the coffee business, explains that he ended up at Homestead Heritage after realizing the same thing as Greg in terms of where his life was going and a poor work-life balance.
He tells the camera crew: ‘Before we came to the community we lived in Houston and I was a business executive.
‘I was never at home, I never took vacations, I was constantly working. (Moving here) was a way for me to be able to sell my business there and then stay here. (Now) my wife and I get up, we come to work together… this is a beautiful thing.’
Greg Godsey, co-owner of the firm Heritage Coffee Shop and Heritage Architecture, reveals that he moved to Homestead Heritage with his wife from Austin.
While there are many new residents to Homestead Heritage, Greg explains that there are some third-generation members of the community, as it originally began in 1973 as a Christian organization in New York, with founders Blair and Regina Adams paving the way. The church in Texas began in 1980, after a stint in Colorado.
In one scene, he introduces carpenter Mark Borman, who moved to Homestead Heritage when he was only nine years old.
Instead of going to school, most children in the community learn trades or complete apprenticeships and Mark ended up forging a successful career in woodworking.
In the documentary, he explains how he uses wood taken from the farm to make a variety of furniture and is so practiced that he can measure things with his eyes.
Detailing his way of life, he says: ‘I live on the farm here…every morning it’s a five-minute bike ride to work.
‘I’ve worked here at the store for 28 years building a lot of custom furniture.
“I was about 15 (when) I knew I wanted to be a carpenter and I don’t really see it as a job, I really enjoy it.”
In addition to woodworking, the Homestead Heritage community makes its own textiles using looms and leather goods, while farming is its main occupation.
Benjamin Neikirk, co-owner of the community’s coffee business, says he moved there to achieve a better work-life balance.
In addition to woodworking, the Homestead Heritage community makes its own textiles using looms and leather goods, while farming is its main occupation.
Greg explains that most residents have animals and agricultural crops, but it is not a requirement to live there.
He says: ‘We can share milk chores or we can share animals and exchange pastures.
‘Different people find their way in different places. You know, for some people farming is full time and a true passion, while for others they just garden.
“Or some people really like having a couple of animals and others don’t like having animals, but they do like to grow crops in the fields… So everyone finds their own way.”
For those considering joining Homestead Heritage, the website states that “anyone can join our community, as long as they fully understand our beliefs and way of life and are fully committed to living them.”
He continues: ‘We encourage anyone who is interested to come spend time with us, ask questions and get to know us.
“We also have a wealth of literature available for those who want to learn about us in greater depth.”
Carpenter Mark Borman moved to Homestead Heritage when he was just nine years old.
For those considering joining Homestead Heritage, the website states that “anyone can join our community, as long as they fully understand our beliefs.”
The website also notes in the FAQ section that there is no specific dress code or uniform, “but our members seek to share a common outward identity that expresses the inner values intrinsic to our shared Christian faith.”
“These values include simplicity, modesty, and the desire to be free from the fashion trends and competition that prevail in consumerist cultures.”
In the documentary, Greg ends by commenting on the future of the community and its desire to become completely sustainable.
And he concludes: ‘We know the whole combination of steps we must take to be truly sustainable.
‘This is not going to happen in a generation. We want to be clear about where we are going and we don’t want to be impatient.
“We know that it is not a single type of generational vision… It is going to be multigenerational.”
Many viewers have given the video a thumbs up, calling the community’s way of life “beautiful” and “inspiring.”