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.
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Mission Statement
“Committed to the Financial Well Being of God’s People” !
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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