Educate | Equip | Empower
Our Mission
Our Mission is to demonstrate and cultivate the good news of God’s love by educating, equipping and empowering people with practical skills in cultural adaptation, problem solving, and community development through experiential training, to serve the needs of the hungry and oppressed.
Who We Are
“HEART” stands for Hunger Education And Resource Training. We are a school for cross-cultural workers and missionaries. Our campus is designed as a functioning simulation of a developing world village and demonstration farm. Students, visitors and volunteers come here from around the world to gain practical experience and valuable knowledge. We strive to teach a holistic perspective on ministry focused on cultivating genuine relationships, working to improve the quality of life and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s unique worldview.
Celebrating the Back 40
Celebrating 40 Years
In the Spring of 1981, Warner Southern College granted a group of students and professors access to the back, Northwest 40 acres of its land to begin building what is now known as H.E.A.R.T. (Hunger Education and Resource Training). In 1984, the college offered its very first classes at HEART. In celebration of these significant events, and in recognition of our 1,200 alumni, we declare 2024 the year of “Celebrating the Back 40”!
We are so grateful to God and to the thousands of people who have impacted and been impacted by 40 years of service at HEART Village. This year we are celebrating a milestone that we could not have reached without you and your support!
- Send us your photos, stories, and memories of the Village. We love to hear from our visitors, alumni, and friends!
- Organize regional get-togethers with alumni in your area, or join in on our big celebration here at HEART in Florida on November 9th
- Join the HEART Village Facebook, Instagram, and our newsletter list. And if you are an alumni, check out the Heart Alumni Facebook Group
- Give. Whether time volunteering, prayers, or finances, we wouldn’t be here without our donors. Our goal for 2024 is to raise $120,000 for HEART. By God’s grace, we have almost reached our goal! As we continue fund raising, we would love for you to prayerfully consider donating, which you can do through mail or our website. We are immeasurably thankful for all of those who have given towards keeping HEART’s ministry going since 1984.
Upcoming Event
Roots & Jam 40th Anniversary Event
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Come join us in the morning from 9 AM to 12 PM for speakers, activities, tours, food, and fun: and stick around in the afternoon for live bluegrass music! The celebrations will be wrapping up at 4 PM.
All day there will be special gatherings for alumni and their families to share stories, tour the campus, and look back. We’d love for you to invite your HEART classmates and friends to this fun reunion! The “Originals” from the very first class of HEART will be there to celebrate 40 years, too!
Check out our Facebook and Instagram where we will post updates about the day’s schedule and events. If you are an alumni, be sure to get connected to our HEART Alumni page!
Become a Student!
HEART curriculum components are designed to address the most basic needs for self-reliant living. Our program is geared towards students with a heart for missions in developing countries and spreading the gospel to those who don’t know the good news of Jesus Christ. Both our programs will equip students with the skills needed to live and connect with others in developing countries.
Donate to HEART
Hunger Education And Resource Training is a registered not for profit, faith-based organization. We rely on student fees for half of our programming. The other half comes through generous donations of individuals, sponsors, and churches. Financial gifts are given toHEART to help support programs, scholarships for students, campus improvements, and infrastructure changes for the future. Through your giving, you are helping us prepare the next generation of servant leaders around the globe.
Volunteer With Us!
We have need for skilled and unskilled workers year round. You can come for a day or organize an extended volunteer trip with your church or community group. We also have opportunities to volunteer on a weekly basis. If you have specific skills (carpentry, plumbing, electrician, auto mechanics, etc.) we would love to put you to work!
Directions to Heart
Need a physical address for your GPS?
17 South Lake Wales Church of God
210 President’s Drive, Lake Wales, Florida 33859
Driving Directions to the Village:
From US 27, turn west into Warner University campus onto President’s Drive.
Follow President’s Drive when it ‘Ls’ to the left.
President’s Drive ends in a parking lot. Directly to the left of the parking lot is a dirt road.
Follow the dirt road for about a mile until you enter the H.E.A.R.T. Village.
