Who We Are
Family Life Resources, Inc. was founded by Rick and Mary Dillman in 1994. Rick and Mary originally from Ohio, moved to Florida to begin a ministry that would provide financial counseling and education to the Christian community. As a Certified Counselor for Christian Financial Concepts (Larry Burkett’s Ministry), Rick became interested in expanding his commitment to God’s will by helping others understand God’s way of financial freedom. His desire to provide a more complete program that would include debt management services prompted the formation of Family Life Resources. Rick and Mary’s desire to free people from financial bondage started with a clear strong message from God to “Set My People Free, I want to use them.” Our mission thus became very clear.
Mission Statement
“Committed to the Financial Well Being of God’s People” !
Core Values
- Christian Foundation
- Meet them where they are at in their journey
- Application of knowledge is power
- “Let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. Galatians 6:10
Base Scripture
For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you Hope and a Future! Jeremiah 29:11
This scripture brings together the heart of God’s call to FLR and the practical application that He has instructed us to fulfill. We help restore families and individuals to a strong daily walk with God so that clearly they can see a bright future as they start their new journey!
During the past decade God has allowed FLR to counsel over 25,000 families and helped hundreds of thousands through education. Our services and educational programs have grown to include (DFP) consumer Debt Freedom Program, Jubilee a specialized Bankruptcy Avoidance Program, Bankruptcy Education, Pre-Marital Financial Counseling, Pre-Qualifying for Getting a Mortgage, Credit/Credit Score Reviews, Cash Management Training, Personal Financial Counseling for Pastors, The Basics of Biblical Stewardship, Church wide Workshops/Seminars, Worship Services, Financial Marriage Workshops, on-site counseling for churches and businesses, and employee educational assistance programs. The list continues to grow.
Faith Statement
The Scriptures
We believe the "Scriptures" to be true, without error and inspired by God, written by man, and designed for our practical instruction on how to live and represent God.
(John 5:39, Acts 18:28, Romans 15:4, I Cor. 2:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21)
The Work Of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, born in the flesh of the Virgin Mary, and came into the world to manifest God to all men. He became the redeemer of a lost world. We believe that Jesus was fully human and fully God. He maintained a sinless life until He was crucified on the cross and was buried. He rose on the third day as our Savior and sacrificial Lamb who took away the sins of the world.
(John 1:1-2, John 1:14 & 29, John 3:16, Phil 2:5-8, 1 Peter 3:18)
Jesus Is The Only Way
We believe that all men are sinners and are able to get to heaven by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ. No deeds, attainment of morality, baptism or any other work will get you to heaven. It is only by God's love for you and His grace and your acceptance of Him and Lord as Savior that you will get to heaven. As Jesus said Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through ME."
(1 John 14_6, Rom 3:10, 11 & 23, Rom 4:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-7)
We Are To Love Others
We believe that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves. We believe that when we are blessed by God and shut out our hearts toward others in need we are disappointing God. We believe there are many ways that we are able to help others by giving our time, talents and resources.
(Matt 22:36-40, Matt 26:42 & 46, Matt 28:19-20, 1 John 3:16-18, 2 Cor 8:12-14)
Following God's Ways Produces A Meaningful Life
We believe that following the world's prescription for success produces a dissatisfied life. The fruit of the World's Way is strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissension and envy of others which contributes to the breakdown of the family. However, when one will commit their ways to following God's Way, they will enjoy the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. These bring about a sense of contentment, meaning and direction in their life.
(John 1:32-24, Galatians 5:16-23)
The Rest of the Story
What a giant call God had put on Rick and Mary. God had been preparing them for over 30 years for this awesome task. Rick Dillman`s 30 years of experience in the field of finance include, Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University, National Certification in Credit Counseling, certified teacher and financial counselor for Christian Financial Concepts, Licensed IRS Tax Advocate, Chief Financial Officer of 100M company, owner of several businesses, and author. Mary Dillman’s portfolio includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wright State University, Graduate program from University of Dayton, Institute of Pastoral Counseling, 15 years of social services counseling, and owner of several businesses. These are just a few of the milestones of preparation God brought Rick and Mary through. God taught them how to help others with practical financial counseling by taking them through many personal challenges. It was apparent that God had given them the heart and the ability to help individuals and families who need hands on financial counsel.
Rick and Mary, (through Godly obedience) since 1994 have built a ministry that operates with the strictness of excellent Biblical business practices and meets or exceeds all minimum legal requirements to operate as a Consumer Credit Counseling Agency. Family Life Resources is founded on the belief that God`s people must have a well trained and equipped staff of professionals who can give immediate practical life changing counsel. Every Family Life counselor is Nationally Certified by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, and has completed the Crown Financial Small Group Study. Like all real professions every counselor must maintain continuing education requirements every two years in order to keep their certification. As a ministry the entire staff takes part in Bible study and prayer on a weekly basis.
Each of our staff members has embraced the values and mission of Family Life as their personal call in God’s plan. As professionals we have trained to be the finest group of Christian Financial; Credit Counselors, Presenters and Educators in Florida.
What makes Family Life unique is our desire to sit down with a couple or individual and “hear their story” face-to- face. What better way to “meet them where they are in their journey.” This personal attention is what has made the difference in countless lives.
When (FLR) Family Life Resources, Inc. was legally formed, Rick and Mary established a “Board of Directors” that are vital to the management and direction of this organization. In addition to this board, they formed a “Ministry Advisory Council” made up of Pastors and Business Professionals who are committed Christian leaders. These two groups provide great leadership balance. They help assure us that while our call is to serve, we also must operate as good stewards financially so that we can better serve you.
For more information please feel free to call: 1-(800)-553-8621 or e-mail us.
Accreditations and Certifications
Family Life Resources is committed to providing the best quality products and services to you. In order to do that, we have submitted ourselves to the following list of masters whom audit us, inspect us, certify us and validate us on an annual basis. They are:
- IRS - Family Life Resources is a 501 (c) 3 Tax Exempt Non-profit charity approved by the Internal Revenue Service since 1995.
- Florida Law - Family Life Resources is registered as a non-profit corporation in Florida and is compliant to Florida Public Law under the Statutes 817, Part IV, Credit Counseling Services (817.801-817.806).
- ISO - Family Life Resources is ISO 9001:2000 Accredited. The International Standards Organization determines the quality standards one must adhere to in order to receive their accreditation. For our industry, this is a big deal. We have received accreditation every year without condition.
- Licensed & Bonded – As required by different groups, we are licensed in Hillsborough County and the City of Temple Terrace. Our bonding meets state and national level requirements.
- Florida Deferred Presentment Program – We have been an approved provider for Payday Loan counseling since this new law was enacted on October 1, 2001.
- The "Executive Office for United States Trustees" has approved us as a Nonprofit Budget and Credit Counseling Agency to issue certificates evidencing completion of credit counseling and budget analysis. In addition, we have been approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval for either service does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider’s services. Our approval for both services is for Region 21, Florida Middle District.
- Certified Credit Counselors – All of our counselors are certified and members of the national organization AFCPE.
- The C12 Group – we have been a member of this national Christian business group since 1999 and have received the member of the year award three times.
- Continuing Education Provider – we are an approved CEU provider for the West Florida PGA Association.
- Employee Assistance Programs – we are an approved provider to many businesses and corporations for their in-house EAP programs.