Patrick Kelley

(Elder nominee)

Patrick has attended Intown Community Church since 2007, and met his wife through the church. Patrick and Melissa married in 2009, and they live close to Intown in the Medlock Park neighborhood with their two children, Luke (10) and Annelise (7). The slower pace of life over the past year has been a blessing for the Kelleys, and they have grown to know their neighbors through outdoor gatherings like taco Tuesdays and soup exchanges.

Patrick grew up in a believing Catholic family that eventually departed the Catholic church but failed to find a lasting church home during Patrick’s formative years. Church hopping in a continual search for a new church home led to a period of instability, resentment, and ultimately rebellion from the church as a young man. He was drawn back to the Lord as a young adult with small groups playing a pivotal role in understanding God’s grace and mercy. Small groups and men’s groups at Intown remain close to Patrick’s heart. He has also been involved in helping refugees settle in the Atlanta area and is excited about the opportunity to grow Intown’s outreach to surrounding communities.

In normal times Patrick commutes downtown where he works for Habitat for Humanity's international programs. In this role, Patrick feels blessed to see a lot of the world and is involved in developing sustainable solutions for affordable housing in countries such as India, Kenya, and Peru. He spent four years in Rwanda after the genocide providing small business loans to entrepreneurs through a bank that continues today. He feels fortunate to be able to daily be involved in doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly before our God. 

Patrick went to the University of Illinois and worked as an usher at the Assembly Hall where he began a masterclass in suffering and endurance. But the Kelleys have great hopes for the Braves.