Our Own Stoop - 2012
After Shore Vineyard moved to 1 S Main Street in South Toms River, we felt it would be important to claim the land all around us for the Lord. As we did the research, we found several interesting things: on
- There used to be a railroad stop at the location of our property. South Toms River was "on the wrong side of the tracks"
- South Toms River separated from Toms River as a township so that the minority people, primarily African-American could have their own separate government and schools. This occurred around the time of a Ku Klux Klan cross burning just across the river
- The local area across the river, now known as Huddy Park, was named after an important incident near the end of the Revolution, where Captain Joshua Huddy was illegally kidnapped and executed by British troops which actually resulted in the war being extended.
- The property where Shore Vineyard now is located used to be owned by the first Mormon Church in New Jersey which was located just across the street. Our site contained a Mormon graveyard. The graves were all moved to Utah when the Mormons moved west.
These were all occasions for repentance and prayer
Shore Vineyard and Surroundings
We prayed at Shore Vineyard and the following locations:
A - The base of the bridge that joins Toms River and South Toms River. It is also just below the former railroad depot.
B - Huddy Park enclosure that depicts the construction of the blockhouse where Joshua Huddy was taken prisoner during the Revolution.
C - Site of former Mormon Church
Huddy Park
Here the team asked forgiveness for every unlawful and violent act (such as was committed when the British kidnapped and executed Huddy, and we forgave those who committed these acts. We also repented for and forgave the separation of South Toms River from Toms River and the corresponding segregation of races. We called for a new time of valuing every ethnicity and gifting of all people groups.
Former Mormon Church Site
The Mormon church was established in Toms River around 1840. At one time it was the most popular religious affiliation in the area. Strangely enough both properties housing Shore Vineyard had Mormon connections prior to being our church location. We prayed at this location repenting for presentation of any Gospel other than the one which preaches Christ crucified.