Letters on Christian Hospitality Volume 1 | September 1, 2026

When I first met Joanne Hickox, I was more than intrigued by her vision. It is a big vision — one that may change the course of modern history.

When we think of our elders, it has become common place to look for signs it is time to move them into the continuum of residential care. This often begins with an independent living apartment and ends with a semi-private room in a skilled nursing facility.

For many individuals, the safety and security of fostered aging reduces the natural vitality of life. We were created to be of service, not to exclusively rely on services.

Joanne, who spent 15 years working in a Hollywood, learned seniors don’t always appreciate entertainment as a filler for connecting. They would rather use their well-earned wisdom and continue learning into their last years.

What would happen if we stopped considering aging as merely fading away and saw it as a call to step into your most significant season of service?

That is exactly the vision and mission of a G3 Village! Over the past few decades, Joanne has worked with seniors and proved that seniors aren’t the needy, they are the needed!

G3 Village envisions an alternative model of aging that brings older adults into a purposeful, intergenerational community rather than isolating them within a traditional retirement continuum. Residents live independently in modest apartments or cottages while contributing ten hours of service each week to the life of the village. Built around a working regenerative farm, the community includes opportunities for growing food, caring for animals, educating visiting children, serving the public, and supporting pastors and missionaries seeking rest. Through shared meals, meaningful work, public outreach, and a commitment to continued contribution, the village seeks to create a faithful place where older adults are not simply cared for, but remain active participants in the life of a larger community.

Another incredible component of G3 living is that it will be affordable, catering to modest and middle income older adults. I asked Joanne what the most important “next step” is for her to help move this vision along. Her answer: Share the story!

I hope you will listen to the conversation we recorded last week. She has written a wonderful book detailing her story and what led her to listen to what God is calling her to pray for and prepare as He opens the way.

The Podcast that 
brings together conversations concerning Christian theology, spiritual formation, end-of-life care, and resurrection hope — exploring how the Body of Christ can recover meaningful practices of Christian hospitality.