Phase One: A Little History — Scottsdale, AZ — 2012–2025

The Simple Farm began on a patch of weed-choked land owned by the house church I (Michael) pastored. I had this vision to reclaim it and fortunately my wife jumps in and partners with me and my ideas. Lylah is the one who sees beauty that isn’t yet. She pictured lots of garden beds with flowers, herbs and vegetables . . . and a few goats.

A vision is good — and yet this became more like a mission: to create something beautiful and unusual in the middle of Scottsdale suburbia — a small farm centered around the table — a different way to connect with our community. At that time, there was no budget or funds for this mission and so we decided that the only way was for us to sell both our homes - the primary one we lived in and a secondary home that was a gift from Lylah’s grandfather. It was a cost to count on many levels, but we felt strong enough to move forward and use the proceeds to begin the build out. Can’t say we’ve had one day of regret.

Fortunately, the church parsonage was available, and after fixing it up a bit, we moved in. With a roof over our heads and a kitchen to prepare our meals – we spent so much time outside with rolled up sleeves, shovels and all sorts of tools to create beauty. We bought tons of organic soil, over 100 trees, flowers, herbs, and vegetable starts, 80 + rose bushes, built a small barn, reclaimed the original horse barn, found used fences on Craigslist, built many raised garden beds and little fences and gates around many of the new garden spots, added wood-fire ovens, hand-built tables and awnings, goat pens, chicken coops, birthing pens for the goats... and the rest is history.

In time, what grew from that small plot became known as The Simple Farm — an oasis in the middle of Scottsdale. A place to escape the hustle of city life. A place where people could slow down and reconnect with God, each other, and the rhythms of nature. Besides a weekly Farmer’s Market, we provided tours of the farm, garden workshops, and farm-to-table dinners. We were cultivating more than gardens. Through it all, we kept seeing the same thing — people needed to slow down, connect, and be seen.

A few years back, before I (Michael) completed my thirty year pastoral assignment, Lylah and I had been sensing that a new assignment might be coming — one that would continue to bring people around the table . . . but perhaps something different; a quiet space with woods and a creek, a modern retreat house to host weary pastors and their wives for a soul care reset.

After thirty years of pastoral ministry, and fifteen of those years stewarding The Simple Farm, that assignment came to an end and we needed our own rest and reset. We stepped away and spent a sweet, refreshing season in Southern California, near family — the people closest to our hearts. During that time, we planned and thought out all sorts of things about the next assignment — one that took us to Tennessee.

Enter: The L.O.F.T.

Phase Two— Middle Tennessee — 2026

In April of 2026, The Simple Farm purchased a piece of land in a quiet setting, with beautiful trees, a flowing creek and a house - one we are calling a Modern Retreat House. It’s perfect to host all the gatherings, small groups and dinners and it’s especially sweet with the three extra guest rooms for The L.O.F.T – the soul care extension of The Simple Farm.

Being able to make this purchase was an answer we'd been believing for and praying toward for a long time. We are honored to steward the TSF property and to host those who come here. That work has already begun — from welcoming people to the Sabbath table to giving a few weary pastors a few nights' stay to refresh.

What's before us now is different than the gift farm life gave us — it's the gift of a slower pace: Sabbath Table gatherings, small men's and women's groups, hosting a 3-4 day reset for weary pastors, and space to simply slow down and be found.

This fall, our plan is to build the Creek-side Orangerie, tucked right along the creek, close enough that you can hear the water moving. It’s a peaceful, timber-framed garden room, with a peaked plexiglass roof that lets the light pour in. I (Lylah) picture strings of bistro lights, a table with seating for 8 for a Friday Sabbath meal – and morning coffee/tea, conversation, reading, prayer, reflection — a space for small gatherings for men and women. The creek offers such a soothing ambience.

Also in this season, Michael is busy producing a collection of his music he’s written over the last 40 years ago — more on that soon.

Phase Three - Back to a Farm Setting

Vision casting: back to a farm setting. The only detail we have is that it’s space for larger gatherings and farm-to-table dinners (we miss them) in a large barn.

We know that The L.O.F.T. is building something the world needs more of — spaces that are slow, rooted, and transformative.

The table is set. Thank you to all who’ve supported us over the years.

Michael and Lylah

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