This month, Faith Farm Ministries will hold its 63rd annual Homecoming celebration. It is unlike any homecoming events you might have attended in college. Approximately 1,000 students, alumni, staff and families of those once addicted to drugs and alcohol will gather to celebrate their recovery from addiction and/or co-dependency. They worship, fellowship, share their stories and give hope to those still struggling. They received another chance at life; some recently and others many years ago. Recovering addicts are the bravest and most courageous people you’ll ever meet. They have been through hell and back, and they are willingly to share their stores because of what God has done for them. They are transparent (real), and they use terms like hope, new life and eternity … and they “Dare to Dream;” such an appropriate theme for this year.
Keynote Speaker, Dean Middleton, is President of United TranzActions, Inc., is also the founder of Spirit in South Florida, a nonprofit that has funded two opportunities for Faith Farm’s students to attend a free Phillips, Craig and Dean Concert at the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale. Dean funded bus transportation, tickets, venue and band for approximately 200 Faith Farm students; once in May and again in December. Additional concerts are being planned to bless similar rescue mission/recovery type ministries. Dean’s heart and message is a one of hope and concurs with our “Dare to Dream” theme.
Three of Faith Farm’s courageous alumni will share testimonies, each with a passion to help those who are going through what they experienced many years ago. Roy Foster went on to become a 2009 CNN Hero nominee for his passion to help veterans and recently broke ground on The Village of Valor, an entire community devoted to serving veterans and their families. Alyssa Schroeder attended our women’s program. Since Faith Farm, she married Eric, also an Alumni. They now run a successful business while they continue to help others who struggle with addiction. They are expecting their first child. Marty Angelo attended Faith Farm in the ‘80s and was mentored by Founder, Rev. Garland “Pappy” Eastham. Marty answered the call to prison ministry in California and has counseled celebrities who struggled with addiction. He has authored five books and continues to give back. All “Dared to Dream!”
Underwriters for this event include Solid Rock Church, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary, The Tucker Group, LLC, Alpha Ministries, LLC, plus two anonymous employee staff members. All day live music by their own Faith Farm bands, barbecue, Pappy’s Old Fashioned Lemonade, Ice Cream and other home-baked goodies, fishing, Volleyball, Kite Flying, Bounce Houses and Face Painting are some of the other activities typical of the day, but the highlight of the afternoon is always the extremely competitive annual softball tournament between the farms. There is nothing like witnessing a bunch of competitive, recovering addicts … humbled and praying and giving thanks before and after (sometimes during) these softball games. “Dare to Dream!” It’s Tim Tebow times 30! And, it’s beautiful!
Faith Farm is making a huge difference in thousands of lives and needs your financial support to continue saving lives being lost to addiction. It is because of special people like you that we can continue to help restore lives of people who struggle with life controlling issues. For more information on how you can help, visit www.faithfarm.org, or contact Judy Walters, Project Manager, at (561) 737-2259 or email Judy at jwalters@faithfarm.org.
Photo from Homecoming 2013 by Christina Wilkof Photography
Secret of Contentment 