A name with meaning: The origin of Elim Village

Elim Village’s name has carried deep meaning for those who live, work, and are connected to the community since it first opened 25 years ago. But the story behind that name goes back more than three decades.

In 1991 a small Bible study group felt called to create a Christian retirement community and by 1992 a board had formed and began turning that vision into reality. But before this new community could welcome residents, construct buildings, or even acquire land, there was a simple question that needed to be answered: what would this place be called?

“Things were developing, and we didn’t have a name,” recalls John Vugteveen, a founding member of the Elim Foundation. “So I said, ‘okay guys, next time we meet I want you to bring your idea of a name for this development. I looked for myself and found a name and thought, we’ll see what the rest of the guys are thinking. But nobody else came up with a name.”

The name John proposed was Elim, a reference to the oasis where the Israelites camped after leaving Egypt, briefly mentioned in Exodus 15. After crossing the Red Sea and wandering the wilderness in search of water, “they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.”

“There’s only a little verse in the Bible that talks about Elim, but it was an important place,” John says. “It was a time to camp, a time to rest, and a time to get a fresh view of what was going to happen.”

That image of rest and renewal resonated deeply with the board as they envisioned what this new community could become.

“When I introduced the name to the board, I said, ‘you know, this is going to be somewhat like an Elim. It’ll be a resting place for people.”

The board agreed and on August 3, 1994 the name became permanent when The Elim Foundation was officially incorporated.

For John and the other founders, the story of Elim was much more than a historical reference; it reflected their own journey of faith, perseverance, and a deep trust in God.

“Everything was provided for the Israelites, and that’s what the board experienced over the years,” John says. “God is leading the way and he doesn’t take shortcuts. That’s how Elim came about.”

Today, more than three decades later, John is amazed not only by what has grown from that early vision, but who God has chosen to take part.

“God has set ordinary people, just like the disciples, and said, ‘follow me.’ We have to be faithful. God loves us immensely, He sent his son to pay for our sin, and Elim will be around as long as we count on God leading us—it’s absolutely essential.”