We have based the spirit of The Good Fight Foundation on the Scripture in 1 Timothy 6:12 where God tells us to “Fight The Good Fight of Faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
We the Mission Partners and Board of Directors of The Good Fight Foundation graciously offer up our time, energy and resources to God’s Great Co-Mission as an expression of our love and gratitude for all that He has done for us. Our Ministry Vision includes Camp Solomon, dedicated to the ongoing empowerment of impoverished children throughout the Southeast via having select Faith Based Youth Groups participate in simultaneous camp sessions thus impacting each child with a relevant life changing experience. Our FUN-demental, engaging curriculum teaches Youth how to defend their Faith from an intellectual, archeological, and historical perspective. As we build their Faith through evidence we then encourage our Youth to affirm it through consistent acts of Love to change lives for The Good.
Canaan Valley Farm is a truly one of a kind, “Garden of Eden” Like private mountain sanctuary featuring some of God’s most beautiful green acres on earth. Nestled amidst the Appalachian Mountains in Suches “The Valley Above The Clouds,” Georgia, Canaan Valley Farm is home to Hope Springs, some of North America’s purest natural mountain spring water. You and yours will also discover a variety of spring fed ponds packed with blue gills, rainbow trout and large-mouth bass, over a mile of a crystal clear trophy trout stream, lush green meadows and pastures, a big view valley adorned with 100 organic apples trees in a beautiful apple orchard, ridge tops boasting long range panoramic mountain views of the surrounding 700,000 acres of the pristine Chattahoochee National Forest and more. Come Be Our Guest at the One and Only Canaan Valley Farm and Leave Better Than You Came!
Canaan Valley Farm Accommodations include a finely appointed three bedroom waterfront cabin called, “The River House” and an upscale eco-friendly mountainside cottage called, “The ecopod”.
Our Dedicated “Fight The Good Fight of Faith” Mission Partners
John “Gio” Pace and Leslye Pace M.D. – Founders, President and Chairman of The Board
Founder and President of The Good Fight Foundation, John “Gio” Pace has had an undeniable passion for The Lord since he was saved back in 1987 at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia. He has hosted numerous Faith based Youth Events throughout the past 25 years with such organizations as Youth for Christ, Mighty Warriors, and The Anna Maria Island Christian Foundation. John “Gio” has always had a heart for Youth as God has empowered him to connect with young people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. After nearly three decades of being a Christian, John “Gio” has been called into full time ministry at the promised land that God has entrusted to him, “Canaan Valley Farm”. John “Gio” will also be doing a variety of unique Anti-Drug, Anti-Alcohol, Evangelistic Ministry Events all throughout the Southeast to empower our next generation of Believers to Fight The Good Fight of Faith. Although he has a passion for youth he can relate to people of all ages and his calling extends to everyone in need of hope. John’s business background includes, VP of Business Development for Ideal Image Development Corporation, VP of Marketing for Magnegas Corporation (NASDAQ Company MNGA), CEO of Pace Media, LLC, and over 12 years as owner/operator of The Anna Maria Island Beach Resort. John’s 30 plus years of writing and producing videos and commercials shall now be dedicated to serve The Most High God to win souls for His Kingdom.
Leslye Pace M.D. has been Director of Anesthesiology at Dekalb Gastroenterology and Associates for the past 9 years. She completed her internship, residency and a fellowship in Anesthesiology and Pain Management at The University of Alabama in Birmingham and served on staff for 4 years. Leslye has a contagious enthusiasm and joy for life and a heart to serve God by helping those that can’t help themselves, predominantly Abandoned Children. As a mother of 5, she has been blessed with a genuinely loving spirit that make children and adults alike melt away their walls and welcome her in. Leslye has a heart for Worship and her favorite Scripture is “Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart and Lean Not Unto Your Own Understanding, Acknowledge Him In All Your Ways and HE Shall Direct Your Path”. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Favorite Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11
Favorite Artists: “Jeremy Camp”, “Casting Crowns”, “Hill Song”
Rodney Padgett
Co-Founder and Vice President of The Good Fight Foundation, Rodney gave his heart to the Lord when he was five years old. Soon after he began singing in his local church, the Benton Harbor Tabernacle. His favorite song was “Jesus use me, please don’t refuse me, surely there’s a work that I can do.” Rodney continued to play Christian Music with his parents as a teenager in the Voices of Praise. Thru many of life’s ups and downs, he continued to play music and even wrote many Christian songs in his twenties. Moving to Tampa at the age of thirty, he became an active member of the Countryside Christian Center, and joined their Paul Timothy Pastoral team. He and another member of the team, launched a prison ministry at the local jail each Tuesday. Most recently Rodney has hosted a local Radio Show called “inside/out” with another local pastor. For over two years he shared the good news of Christ on the air and encouraged and inspired many who needed a touch from God. Over the years he’s received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and has been dedicated to reading and meditating on God’s Word consistently his entire adult life. As a long-term friend of John “Gio” Pace, and community member of Canaan Valley Farm, their friendship was founded on their mutual faith and passion for The Lord. His passion now is dedicated to spreading The Good News with as many people as possible. When not in the ministry, Rodney runs one of the largest Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and McLaren dealerships in the country. Although this is currently a full time effort, his heart and soul is devoted to reaching others for Christ. Rodney believes, “God’s Best Is Yet To Come”!
Gabrielle Pace
Co-Founder and Secretary of The Good Fight Foundation, graduated from Bradenton Christian School and is beginning back at State College of Florida this summer to study medicine.
Gabrielle has a genuine heart for helping others through God’s agape love, she especially has a heart for abandoned and abused children and is excited to help mentor Youth at Camp Solomon. Gabrielle’s heart and passion for life and people beams through her heart and smile.
Larry Buckley
Co-Founder and Board Member of The Good Fight Foundation. Larry has always had a deep passion and heart for the edification of Young Saints. He originally got involved with Canaan Valley Farm back when the journey began for John “Gio” Pace because of their kindred spirit for Youth. Larry is a founder of DataOceans, Larry is responsible for managing the vision and overall strategic direction of the company. Prior to founding DataOceans, Larry founded Technology Investments and co-founded ThreeRiversGroup, SourceWorks, and ECWerks. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry during which time he has held a number of board positions with various companies. Larry graduated Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Economics and Computer Applications. He began his career with IBM where he spent 10 years in Sales and Marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming and spending time with his family. Larry’s true passion is to see Young Saints empowered to defend their Faith from an intellectual perspective and evangelize their generation. He has been a pillar for The Good Fight Foundation from its humble beginnings.
Joseph Martins
Board Member of The Good Fight Foundation, Joe was raised in a devout Christian home and has grown up with a passion for mentoring Youth from a faith based perspective. He was led to The Lord and saved at Indian rocks church in 1991. Joe is one of the top 5 legacy franchisees of the nation’s leading laser hair removal chain, Ideal Image. He was also the owner and CEO of Floridian Florals Inc., a wholesale floral distribution company performing production and logistics for over 2400 convenient stores and florists across Florida from 1991 to 2005. He has been a successful entrepreneur for over three decades and has always had a heart for philanthropic missions. Joe also founded, “Eye In The Sky Hand Up Foundation” as an expression of his heart for the homeless and abandoned. Joe plays and active role on the board for “Light Site TV” which is launching a biblically based interactive website for children and parents to spend quality time together learning bible based lessons in life. Joe’s heart for God and good will towards others will contribute greatly to The Good Fight Ministry.
