In far western Kentucky, located thirteen miles outside the city of Princeton, is a unique ministry that offers many opportunities to serve. Bright Life Farms, Inc. is a residential facility, located on 27 acres, where currently 24 mentally or developmentally challenged adults, 18 years of age and older, live in a happy, protective and secure environment with 24-7 care.
Bright Life is an intermediate care facility and, while it is state licensed as a MR/DD facility, it is not state supported. They are faith-based and, without their support base, could not do what they do. “Bright Life is a visible testimony to God’s power to provide,” says volunteer administrator Roberta Robertson, and “we are dedicated to giving Him the honor for our three (soon to be four) homes.” The residents can do a lot of things, just should never live alone.
This ministry is based on Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory…for ever and ever! Amen!
As a faith-based facility, the goal at Bright Life is to provide care for the whole person – body and spirit – within an environment of love and safety, structure, training and enrichments with the goal of each individual living to the fullest.
And live to the fullest they do. When visiting Bright Life, you soon notice how happy the residents are. They love to have visitors and make you feel so welcome. The residents love to participate in Bible study, VBS, crafts, games, fellowship, singing, and just interacting with guests that come. The Bright Life Family has its own choir and, seldom do you get away without them sharing their gift of music with you. Led and accompanied on piano by Roberta Robertson, the choir travels to many churches to present their program, which includes singing, quoting scripture, and sharing testimonies. They have blessed and encouraged so many this past year as they presented their program 56 times. Bright Life welcomes invitations to sing and share. Roberta says, “We never realized that the residents could be such powerful witnesses for Jesus.” When not traveling, the residents are active in three local churches.
An 8-member volunteer Board of Directors gives hours of service to this special ministry. Kentucky MSC Missionary Leroy Oliver serves as the property and grounds chair, manages the facility, supplies, and all maintenance. Leroy is a favorite of the residents, and is available to help coordinate mission teams that come to serve at Bright Life.
Bright Life loves to have visitors and welcomes mission teams. Last year approximately 550 volunteers came to serve. They can accommodate teams up to 20-25 and provide room and board free of charge. The teams are, however, responsible for their own food. In addition to ministering to the residents, there are needs for general maintenance, landscaping, painting, clean-up, etc. on all existing areas and buildings.
To learn more about Bright Life Farms go to their Facebook page (Bright Life Farms Inc) or the website at http://www.brightlifefarms.org/. For information on needs at Bright Life Farm go to http://old.kybaptist.org/missionopportunities/brightlifefarms/. Why not consider Bright Life Farms for your next mission trip. No place will you be more of a blessing, and in turn be more blessed, than in serving at this ministry!!
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