Livingston’s Sonshine Farms provides kids’ haven, drug rehab

 Matt Kelly is proud of his acreage called Sonshine Farms. “We host a spiritually based petting zoo,” Kelly said. “We provide a place where children can learn a purpose for God’s creation.” But Kelly has a larger vision for the farm.
   
He is beginning a new ministry called Faith Farms, which will be a home for teenage boys who are having problems with substance abuse, mental illness and other situations.
   
“We want to be able to redirect young men in a Christian environment,” Kelly said.
   
He knows about the need for spiritual direction. Kelly is a preacher’s kid — the son of Curtis Kelly, retired Baptist pastor. “I was prideful and chased after my own dreams and the ways of the world,” Kelly confessed. “On June 14, 1998, God turned me around and brought me home.”
   
Kelly explained that God not only restored him, “but God restored my family.” 
   
His new faith changed his life’s direction. He became minister of youth at Livingston Baptist Church, and he now serves as part-time pastor of Sumterville Baptist Church in Gainesville.
   
He also serves as interim pastor of Christian Valley Baptist Church near Catopa.
   
Kelly allows church groups, the University of West Alabama’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other groups to use Sonshine Farms. “We also hosted a live nativity scene, a Halloween alternative program called the Reality Hayride and an Easter drama called Footsteps of Jesus, where participants follow the life of Christ from His birth to the Resurrection,” Kelly said.
   
During the Easter drama held in March, Kelly said God gave him the vision for Faith Farms.
   
“Pastors and others came to me and asked me to pray for teenagers who were on drugs. God slowly gave me the vision, and then He confirmed this decision last Easter.”
   
Kelly said there is space for six residents and the treatment program will last for a year and a half. A board of trustees has been selected, and a group of mental health professionals will oversee the treatment plans.