News

The Rosen Centre in Orlando was the site for the 2022 annual conference of Network 1:27, which was hosted by the social services staff at Mount Dora Children's Home. The conference brought together leaders from social services agencies affiliated with Churches of Christ from throughout the country.

Chuck Shepherd, Director of Social Services for MDCH, served as the official host and welcomed guests. Johnnie Coley, social worker, led one of the breakout sessions. Tonja Rambow, social worker, also participated in hosting the conference.

Below are photos from the conference.

 

The Mount Dora Children’s Home is a ministry that is passionately dedicated to serving children in need.

We are looking for a married couple who are faithful members of the Church of Christ who love children, model their faith, and want to serve full time in our ministry as house parents.

This is a salaried position and benefits include: housing, utilities, food, health insurance, life insurance, transportation, and private education for your children at our sister institution, Mount Dora Christian Academy.

For more information, contact Chuck Shepherd, Director of Social Services, at chuck.shepherd@mdchome.org or (352) 729-9128.

The Divine Servant Award is our way of saying thanks to individuals or couples who have demonstrated faithful support of Mount Dora Children's Home over a period of many years.

Several individuals and couples have received Divine Servant Awards at MDCH benefit dinners during the 2021-2022 school year. They include the following:

Ryan Frederick, minister at Lake Forest Church of Christ in Jacksonville, was recognized as the Divine Servant at the Jacksonville Area Benefit Dinner. 

Randy Blankinship was recognized as a Divine Servant at the Sarasota Benefit Dinner. Randy is a member at 53rd Avenue Church of Christ in Bradenton and has faithfully supported MDCH for many years.

Allan and Heather Overton received the Divine Servant Award at the Pensacola Benefit Dinner. Allan and Heather are members at Airport Road Church of Christ in Crestview, Florida.

Becky Little received the Divine Servant Award at this year's Nashville Area Benefit Dinner. She is a member at Bellevue Church of Christ in Nashville.

Our sincere thanks to these Divine Servants and to everyone who supports the mission of Mount Dora Children's Home and makes our work possible.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Vice President of Finance, Robert West. Bob served MDCH and the Academy for the past three years. His love and dedication to the school and home will be extremely missed.

His celebration of life will take place at Allen J. Harden Funeral Home at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 20. Visitation is from 3 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to MDCA&CH in his honor.

Please keep Karen West and the family in your prayers.

For more details visit: https://www.allenjharden.com/obits

Dr. Tony Kinkel has joined Mount Dora Christian Academy and Children's Home as Vice President of Development. Kinkel succeeds Tim Deem, who retired at the end of 2021 after serving in that capacity since 2009.

Founded in 1945, MDCA&CH has a current enrollment of 694 students and provides services for single parents and a home for needy children. The Vice President of Development is tasked with leading efforts in fundraising and donor relations.

Kinkel comes to MDCA&CH with a unique blend of teaching, administrative, policy-making, and leadership experience. A native of northern Minnesota, Dr. Kinkel brings 35 years of public service to the job including 16 years as a state legislator and 13 years as a community and technical college president. Currently, Kinkel serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota State Board for School Administrators.

Dr. Brian Mast, President of MDCA&CH, was effusive in his praise of outgoing VP Deem.

“Tim has done an outstanding job for our organization over the past 16 years, beginning with his tenure on the Board of Trustees in 2005. He has built relationships with donors, churches, and grant-making foundations that have resulted in millions of dollars in donations. The school and children’s home have greatly benefited from his leadership.”

“We are delighted to welcome Tony to the Mount Dora family," Dr. Mast said. "He will bring fresh perspectives to help us enhance relationships with parents, alumni, and the MDCA&CH community as we continue to grow and add new programs and facilities.”

“This is a dream come true,” Kinkel said. “To be a part of ‘educating, equipping and empowering students and parents to love God and impact the world,’ is the crowning achievement of my career. To work with President Mast, and to build upon the great work of Vice President Deem, is an honor and a privilege.”

Kinkel is married to his wife, Melva. They have two children; Brett, age 33, who lives in Kansas City with his wife and son, and Kellen, age 20, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.