501(c)(3) Nonprofit Church · Gilchrist County, Florida

Rooted in Faith.
Built for Community.

A faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to education, conservation, agricultural stewardship, and community development in rural North Central Florida.

Faith · Family · Nature
501(c)(3) Church Gilchrist County · FL Rural Community Development Est. 2026

Faith Family & Nature Church, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 42-2021682 · Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

Our Mission

Strengthening families and
communities through faith and nature

Faith Family & Nature Church, Inc. is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving rural North Central Florida. We are rooted in the belief that healing, growth, and community thrive when people are reconnected with faith, family, and the natural world.

Operating on 7.5 acres in Gilchrist County, we provide educational programs, nature-based retreats, agricultural training, and community support services to individuals and families across our region. Our programs are designed to be accessible, practical, and transformative — meeting people where they are and equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to build better lives.

We are committed to serving rural communities that are often overlooked — providing living-wage employment, educational access, food security resources, and a welcoming environment for all who seek growth and connection.

7.5
Acres of operational land
5
Living-wage positions
8+
Active programs
501c3
Church · EIN 42-2021682
What We Do

Programs serving our community

Our programs are built around four pillars — education, conservation, economic empowerment, and community wellness. Each is designed to create lasting impact in rural North Central Florida.

🌿

Reconnect Sanctuary

A nature-based retreat and sanctuary experience offering primitive, RV, and cabin accommodations on our working farm. Designed for families, couples, and individuals seeking restoration and reconnection with the natural world.

Nature Retreat · Agritourism · Farm Experience
📚

Faith Family Academy

Educational programs spanning life skills, business and financial literacy, homesteading and agricultural education, natural wellness, trades, and youth development. Serving homeschool families, adults, and youth in our region.

Education · Life Skills · Workforce Development
🤝

Community Services

Practical support services including life navigation, financial coaching, business development guidance, and community wellness programs. Accessible, faith-informed, and designed to meet real needs in rural communities.

Coaching · Navigation · Economic Empowerment
🌾

Rebel Ranch Marketplace

A rural producer marketplace connecting local farmers, craftspeople, and small businesses with consumers across North Central Florida. Supporting local economic development and food access in underserved rural communities.

Local Producers · Food Access · Rural Economy
🎨

Creation Station

A creative arts and digital media program empowering young people and adult creators to develop marketable skills in content creation, visual arts, and digital media production in a faith-centered environment.

Youth Arts · Media · Creative Skills
🐄

Agricultural Education

Hands-on agricultural education and training in heritage animal husbandry, sustainable farming, composting, food production, and land stewardship. Rooted in regenerative and heritage practices appropriate for North Florida.

Agriculture · Animal Husbandry · Land Stewardship
Community Impact

Serving rural North Central Florida

Gilchrist County is one of Florida's most rural communities. We are committed to addressing real needs — economic, educational, and social — through programs that create lasting change.

5
Living-wage jobs created
8+
Community programs
7.5
Acres of working land
100%
Rural community focused
Leadership

Board of Directors

Our board brings together expertise in business management, conservation, agricultural operations, legal administration, and government service — united by a shared commitment to rural community development.

BR

Brooklyn Ritchie

President & Executive Director
Founder
B.S., Business Management & Leadership · Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt · Corporate community relations and United Way campaign management, Johnson & Johnson · Cross-industry background spanning pharmaceutical, defense and aerospace, telecommunications, healthcare, hospitality, and animal care
DM

Debi Mackey

Vice President & Treasurer
Director of Administration & Finance
Legal administration across Gunster Yoakley & Stewart P.A., Ackerman Link & Sartory P.A., and Link & Rockenbach P.A. · Security management, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections · Executive operations spanning private legal practice and government administration
AF

Amber Filkins

Secretary
Director of Land & Agricultural Operations
Hands-on agricultural operations · Land stewardship and animal husbandry · Landscaping and property development · Hospitality and food service industry · Community recovery advocate · Primary operational lead for on-site programs and daily farm operations
BM

Barbara Matusik, PhD

Director
Director of Conservation & Cultural Heritage
PhD Candidate, Historic Preservation · MA, Museology · BA, Fine Arts — University of Florida · 50+ years experience in wildlife conservation, field research, fine arts, and agricultural land stewardship · Program consultant and subject matter expert
Connect With Us

Get in touch

Contact Information

Address 6159 SE 85th Loop
Trenton, FL 32693
Gilchrist County
EIN 42-2021682

Partner with Faith Family & Nature Church

We welcome partnerships with grant-making organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners committed to rural development, education, conservation, and community wellness in North Central Florida.

For grant inquiries and funding partnerships, please contact us directly at grants@ffnchurch.org.

For program information, enrollment, and community partnership opportunities, visit our ministry site at rebelranchministries.org.

Contact Our Grants Team