Journeys Community was born out of an interest in serving the growing number of people who have been searching for a spiritual dimension and purpose to their lives, but have been unable to find it in the traditional church.
Journeys’ co-founder, the Rev. Dr. Harry Brunett, traces his desire to connect with spiritual seekers to his years as a poverty worker and community organizer. Though his roots are with the Episcopal Church, and his early overtures to reach seekers were through the Church, he quickly realized that the spiritual scope of Journeys Community needed to expand beyond denominations and religions.
In 1998 Harry received the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Advanced Studies in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. His doctoral thesis, A Seeker Ministry for the 21st Century, became the inspiration and blueprint for the development of Journeys Community.
Harry Brunett, and co-founder, Chuck Donofrio, enlisted a creative team, conducted research interviews to determine the wants and needs of spiritual seekers, developed four prototype services in 2000-2001, and launched Journeys as a weekly spiritual community in September, 2001. In 2006, Harry Brunett and Jennifer Grow co-authored the book, Seeking the Spirit: How to Create a Community of Seekers that grew out of their early experiences in forming Journeys Community.
Since 2001, Journeys has met regularly and has grown in size and scope to reach a large number of members and friends on a weekly basis. Currently, Journeys Community meets at two locations in Maryland and has warranted interest from other groups and organizations across the country and in Britain.
