Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of Bhakta Spirits, is offering to give away the former Green Mountain College campus in Poultney, Vermont — an asset he estimates would cost $200 million to rebuild today — to a Catholic or Christian institution willing to carry out what he sees as a mission of spiritual and cultural renewal.
“There’s a deeper, more fundamental need in this country,” Bhakta told Fox News Digital, “and that is to go back to our Christian roots.”
His first preference for the recipient is a Catholic institution, followed by a broader Christian organization. Only if neither can be found will he consider selling the property — though he says he doesn’t expect it will come to that.
Bhakta purchased the shuttered campus in the summer of 2020 at auction for $4.5 million — a fraction of its $20 million asking price — after Green Mountain College closed in 2019 due to declining enrollment. He originally intended to lead a new institution himself, but soon found that launching a college while simultaneously building a spirits startup was more complicated than anticipated. He has since shifted to vetting what he calls “credible potential beneficiaries” with both the vision and the organizational capacity to bring the campus back to life.
That vision, for Bhakta, is unambiguously spiritual. He sees the crisis in American higher education not merely as an institutional failure, but as a symptom of a deeper moral and religious drift — one that only a faith-centered response can address. A technical fix or secular alternative, he believes, would miss the point entirely.
Bhakta has spoken of hoping for a “revival of our country and our civilization,” grounding that aspiration explicitly in Christian faith. He draws on the history of American religious revival, pointing to the two Great Awakenings as precedents for the kind of transformation he believes the country needs now.
“We’ve had two great awakenings in this country before,” he said, “and I think we’re at the dawn, God willing, of a third great awakening. And that will hopefully, by God’s grace, lead to the revival of this great country and this great civilization.”
His company’s philosophy echoes the same convictions. Its website states that mankind’s greatest achievements flow from humility and service — virtues Bhakta ties directly to a Christian understanding of human dignity and purpose.
The campus itself sits on picturesque Vermont grounds that a local official once described as a place where someone “definitely got a steal.” For the right Catholic or Christian institution, it could represent something far more than a real estate opportunity — a ready-made home for the kind of counter-cultural, faith-rooted education Bhakta believes America desperately needs.
As he put it simply: “That, incidentally, is worth fighting for.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
