Skip to content
ZionGiEden Christian Vegan Sanctuary

Early Vision & Founding (2023)
Inspired by a calling to unite Christian faith, vegan compassion, and sustainable living, Isilma Howard conceived ZionGiEden in mid-2023. What began as a small dream—to rescue farm animals and grow organic food in prayerful community—quickly took shape on a tropical property in Naples, Florida.

Formation of The Franciscan Order of ZionGiEden (May 2025)
In spring 2025, the sanctuary formally inaugurated its co-ed vegan religious order, modeled on Franciscan simplicity and devotion. The Franciscan Order of ZionGiEden now guides daily life: shared prayer offices, vegan meal liturgies, and a rhythm of work & worship rooted in the sanctuary’s core values.

Today & Beyond
From humble garden plots and rescued barnyard friends, ZionGiEden continues to grow—inviting pilgrims, seekers, and saints to join its mission. With each seed planted, each animal nurtured, and each heart transformed, the story of Eden on earth unfolds a little more vividly every day.

Our History

Early Vision & Founding (2023)
Inspired by a calling to unite Christian faith, vegan compassion, and sustainable living, Isilma Howard conceived ZionGiEden in mid-2023. What began as a small dream—to rescue farm animals and grow organic food in prayerful community—quickly took shape on a tropical property in Naples, Florida.

Formation of The Franciscan Order of ZionGiEden (May 2025)
In spring 2025, the sanctuary formally inaugurated its co-ed vegan religious order, modeled on Franciscan simplicity and devotion. The Franciscan Order of ZionGiEden now guides daily life: shared prayer offices, vegan meal liturgies, and a rhythm of work & worship rooted in the sanctuary’s core values.

Today & Beyond
From humble garden plots and rescued barnyard friends, ZionGiEden continues to grow—inviting pilgrims, seekers, and saints to join its mission. With each seed planted, each animal nurtured, and each heart transformed, the story of Eden on earth unfolds a little more vividly every day.

Our Mission

ZionGiEden exists to glorify God by rescuing and caring for His creatures, cultivating Edenic, plant-based abundance, and building a prayer-rooted, Christ-centered community of service and holiness. Through compassion for all creation, stewardship of the earth, radical hospitality, and a daily commitment to living sin-free, we model the Kingdom of God on earth—one rescued animal, one harvested vegetable, and one surrendered heart at a time.

Our Values

Our life and mission are shaped by a handful of foundational values, each one as vital as the soil in which we grow our food. They guide everything we do, from rescuing a stray cat to gathering in prayer.

Compassion for All Creation
We believe every creature bears the imprint of God’s love. Whether it’s a rescued chicken or a wandering soul, we extend kindness, care and respect.

Stewardship of the Earth
The land is sacred trust. Through organic gardening, regenerative practices and zero-waste principles, we honor our responsibility to nurture and protect God’s green world.

Simplicity & Humility
In the spirit of St Francis, we embrace a simple lifestyle, free from excess, yet rich in gratitude. Humility keeps us anchored to prayer, community and service.

Radical Hospitality
Every volunteer, pilgrim or passer-by is Christ in disguise. We open our doors and our hearts, offering shelter, nourishment and fellowship without condition.

Edenic Diet & Health
We follow the original diet of Eden, whole, plant-based foods some of it grown on our own land, to honor God’s design for wholesome living and healing.

Daily Prayer & Spiritual Growth
Prayer is our foundation. Through communal worship, personal devotion and scriptural reflection, we seek deeper intimacy with Yeshua and guidance for our work.

Integrity & Transparency
We strive for honesty in all our dealings—financial, personal and ministerial. Trust is built on openness, accountability and faithful stewardship of every resource.

Community & Mutual Service
United in a shared calling, we serve and support one another. Together we labor, laugh, worship and grow—building a little piece of Zion here on earth.

Holiness
We pursue a life set apart for God, seeking each day to live as holy and sin-free as possible. Through repentance, accountability and reliance on Yeshua’s grace, we aim to reflect God’s character in all we do.

These values aren’t merely words on a wall, but living commitments we practice each day—by sowing seeds, feeding animals, lifting prayers and loving every soul that crosses our path.

What We Do

We are a Christian vegan sanctuary in Naples, Florida, where faith and compassion meet sustainable living. We rescue and care for farm animals, cultivate organic fruits and vegetables, and build a close-knit community rooted in daily prayer, fasting, service, and the Edenic diet. By offering work-exchange opportunities and a space for spiritual growth, we strive to model Christ’s love for all creation—growing food, saving lives, and nurturing souls.