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Tree of Life begins serving Northern Fauquier and Clarke Counties

CommunityHuman InterestGeneral News ArticlePress Release



Volunteers pose for a photo during Tree of Life Ministries’ first Community Dinner on January 21 in Upperville at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Upperville, VA - Tree of Life Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that has been providing services in Loudoun County since 2008, is expanding to Northern Fauquier and Clarke Counties. The new “Piedmont Region” began operating in January.
 
Tree of Life’s purpose is to “reach to out those in need in [the] community with the love of Jesus Christ.”  It serves those who are struggling locally through its five branches: food, life skills, shelter, healthcare, and relief. In 2025, TOL impacted more than 34,500.
 
The first ministries operating in the new region will be grocery deliveries and community dinners (part of the Food Branch), and financial relief payments (part of the Relief Branch). Individuals seeking help will be able to contact Tree of Life via phone, email, or the website to request assistance. 
 
The decision to open a new region came after careful consideration during a seven-week prayer journey that began last summer with local churches in northern Fauquier County.  That discernment process made it clear that not only does substantial need exist in the area, but there is also the necessary support from the church community to create a new region that will encompass parts of Fauquier and Clarke counties.
 
“We are thrilled to see our vision for continual growth to come to fruition,” said Tree of Life CEO, Susannah Lee.  “This allows us to further impact lives and offer a hand up to those in need of compassion and relationship. We look forward to working with the community in our newly expanded area of service.”
 
The churches currently working with Tree of Life to get the new region off the ground are Upperville Baptist Church, Upperville Methodist Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church.
 
Reverand Jonathan Adams of Trinity Episcopal shared, “I am so excited to be partnering with the other churches in our community to begin a Tree of Life outpost in our area. Trinity has been partnering with TOL for the past few years, and I’ve been so impressed with how they have helped those in our community with food, housing, and employment insecurities. I believe we will be stronger together as we begin this new venture as a community.”
 
At Upperville Baptist Church, Pastor Mike Husfelt, who has also volunteered to be the TOL Chaplain for the new region, said, “I am very thankful for the launching of Tree of Life Piedmont. TOL reminds us that our deepest need is a relationship with Jesus. Out of that relationship, our desire and ability to serve our neighbors in need are realized. And as we serve together, ‘…everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” (John 13:35 CSB).
 
Each of these churches is providing space to make the new region a success.  Upperville Methodist will be home to the new Food Pantry, with its pastor, Cindy Rainger, serving as Food Pantry Manager; Trinity Episcopal will host the free community dinner, held the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and Upperville Baptist is providing office space for operations management.
 
Paul Smith, founder of Tree of Life, has stepped in as Acting Regional Director, managing the ministry efforts and leading outreach to new churches and volunteers.  Already, five volunteer branch directors have been identified, as Smith seeks to broaden the scope of support Tree of Life can provide to the area by the end of the year. 
 
“The journey of Tree of Life began in 2008 by reaching out to many in rural areas who were very much in need,” explains Smith. “Extending our reach to rural communities across eastern Clarke county and north Fauquier will similarly help many who too often go unnoticed.” 
 
The new region will provide services primarily to areas north of I66 and east of route 340 in Fauquier and Clarke, with the full list of supported zip codes available on the website. For more information about Tree of Life and how you can request help or get involved, visit www.tolministries.org.
 

Tree of Life begins serving Northern Fauquier and Clarke Counties