In 1976, the Seffner, Florida Unit of Cookson Hills Christian Ministries began. The ministry has successfully operated for 25 years providing a Christian home environment for children to learn and grow in Christian love.

The ministry has had many recent changes. We worked for years to raise funds to build two more child care cottages and an administrative building. These three buildings are very much needed as we have to turn away one child a day and our administration is scattered through three different buildings. It has been a struggle for two reasons; one is that we had talked about this project for 10 years and second, is that we were essentially on our own, but, board leadership came from the Main Unit in Oklahoma (where members are from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, & Missouri).

Recognizing these obstacles, in January of 2000, it was proposed to the Board of Directors and the Administration at the Main Unit that some consideration be given to the idea of incorporating the Florida Unit in the state of Florida. Basically, allowing the Florida Unit to become independent of the Main Unit. This will make the Florida operation totally Florida's.

During the April, 2000, Board meeting, a formal proposal was presented that would allow for the Florida Unit to become independent. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan.

This independence meant that a local (within the state of Florida) Board of Directors would be recruited and given the responsibility to govern the Florida operation. Some of their responsibilities will include long range planning (vision), funding, leadership support as well as a host of other duties. From a financial position, for the last four years all donations to the Florida Unit have remained with the Florida Unit and they continue to meet the daily operating expenses. However, the Main Unit has always supplied the finances for salaries and staff related expenses as well as meeting all the insurance (liability, property, vehicle, and workers comp.) needs. Basically, a little over $5000 per month. Please keep this in your prayers as we will need to generate this funding in Florida.

The first step in this process was to incorporate the Florida Unit in the state of Florida. We worked hard on this. There were many details to work out with the Main Unit. Those details have been completed so that on or before July 1, 2001, the Florida Unit is fully independent of the Main Unit. We are planning on keeping part of the original name. The new name is "Cookson Hills Family Ministries of Florida, Inc."

There are currently 5 members on the Board of Directors for Family Ministries of Florida, Inc. The members are:

John Hoke, President

Scott Riggs, Vice-President

Bob Sharp, Executive Director

Jim Ransom, Secretary

Bob Porter, Treasurer

In June of 2001 we had a dedication day to dedicate both a new childcare cottage and the new administration/director's residence buildings.  We have added a new set of houseparents and several new children.  We now have three childcare cottages and a wonderful new office building with which we can better serve the children and their families.  Thanks for your support.  Without it, these things would never have happened.

Please keep us in your prayers. This is a very exciting time for Family Ministries of Florida. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Sharp, at (813) 681-1942 ext. 12,   e-mail at bsharp@chfamilyministries.org.