The Northeast Kingdom Community Church of Island Pond, Vermont: Raising Up a People for Yahshua's Return

The Northeast Kingdom Community Church of Island Pond, Vermont, was a part of the Messianic Communities, originating from the Jesus Movement and founded by Elbert Spriggs in 1971. The community aimed to restore the New Testament Church and prepare for Yahshua's return, emphasizing a restorationist lifestyle, unity, and the crucial role of children in their eschatology. Despite facing cultural conflicts, legal challenges, and a controversial raid in 1984 over child abuse allegations (which were dismissed due to lack of evidence), the community maintained a stable, morally rigorous lifestyle. They believed in two judgments and aimed to contribute to the 144,000 mentioned in the Book of Revelation, expecting a future where the righteous would rule over a restored earth.