The closing of local mines and factories collapsed the economic and social structure of Ivanhoe, Virginia, a small rural town once considered a dying community. This book is a case study that tells how the people of Ivanhoe organized to revitalize their town. It documents the community development process--a process that included hard work, a community consciousness raising experience that was intentionally sensitive to cultural and religious values, and many conflicts. It tells the story of the emergence and education of leaders, especially women, and the pain and joy of their growing and learning. Among these leaders is Maxine Waller, a dominant, charismatic woman who gave the townspeople inspiration and a sense of their capabilities and of their rights as human beings. Part I covers the community development process and includes chapters on historical background, community mobilization, confronting and using power, community education, using culture in community development, leadership and organizational development, and the relationship between insiders and outsiders in participatory research. The chapter on education describes how a community needs survey led to the creation of the community education center--a place for GED classes, literacy tutoring, job training workshops, and community college classes. Part II describes and analyzes Ivanhoe's local theology, focusing on Bible study and reflection sessions, community rituals, the role of women, and the role of the church in community development. An appendix discusses context and methodology and approaches related to participatory research, feminist theory, anthropological ritual studies, and liberation theology. An index is included. (SV)