You might not think that you’d have the opportunity to hang out with lemurs or get a kiss from a kangaroo in Alabama. You also might not expect to see a camel roaming in rural Alabama, but thanks to a couple of Baptists, you can.
Sam and Kristy Williams, members of Loflin Baptist Church, Banks, in Bullock-Centennial Baptist Association, recently made their place a creature feature called Faith Farms. The couple and their four children own the farm that is home to several farm animals and numerous exotic animals such as ringtail and black lemurs, red kangaroos, wallabies and fennec foxes.
The Williamses bought a traveling petting zoo several years ago and decided to create a more permanent home for the animals. They began building the place now known as Faith Farms near Troy last summer and opened it to the public April 1.
Sam Williams, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, gives God the glory in opening up the doors for the farm, which is just as much a ministry as it is a farm.
"We don’t force our faith on folks out here but it is here. We don’t put our light under the table but on top of it," he said.
Kristy Williams agreed. "Our prayer has been that the Lord use us to get His message out there. We know that we will draw people in that have never been to a church. We are seed planters. We seek to use God’s creation to give Him glory; part of who we are is using these critters for Christ."
The couple’s goal in this ministry God has blessed them with is to see people saved, Sam Williams added.
Visitors to the farm have the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with and learn how to care for the animals. They also learn Bible stories involving the animals. Beginning in June, overnight camping opportunities and day camps will be offered.
Day camps will provide a hands-on experience with the animals, an opportunity to feed them, a craft and a hay ride, while overnight camps offer all that, plus a fishing trip and an opportunity to spend the night with all of these animals.
"Where else can you do that?" Kristy Williams asked.
The Williamses hope to see the farm grow.
"As God provides, we’d love to provide more — cabins, animals, anything to help make this experience an even better one," she said, noting their dream is to one day acquire a giraffe. "This is not your typical zoo. We want to keep this as hands-on and interactive as possible."
Faith Farms is open to the public on Saturday and by reservation only Monday through Friday. "If a group reserves the farm, the farm will be theirs for a day," Sam Williams said.
For more information or to make a reservation, call the Williamses at 334-243-5407.
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