About Us

Care For Pastors began in 2000 as a vision conceived in the heart of Pastor Ron Cook after years of abuse in ministry. He was ready to give up on ministry and pursue a secular vocation.  Through God’s grace and mercy, a healing process began in his life and the life of his wife through an unlikely source: singles ministry.

During work in the lives of singles, they experienced, for the first time in ministry, a love and appreciation as never before. It was during the years of healing, while on a retreat, that the seed was planted for a ministry to hurting pastors and their families. As with many seeds that often lay dormant waiting for just the right season and proper elements to begin germination, Care for Pastors lay waiting for the right moment.  The Cooks began ministering at a new church in Leesburg, Florida, and Care for Pastors sprang to life in the new soil.

The nucleus of this new body of believers was made up of people who understood the pain, frustration and hurt that is often so prevalent in churches. Therefore, when this vision was shared for a ministry to hurting pastors, this small group seized the vision. No longer did it belong to one man; it was now Southpointe’s vision. Within months this new church was ready to put their faith into action. Forty acres of property on a major highway was purchased, a portion was set aside for this ministry, and God has been faithful in honoring this step of faith. The vision of Care for Pastors is to become a non-denominational, international ministry.

The official birth of Care for Pastors took place in the latter part of 2004 when we received the trademark for the name, established a Board of Directors, and the church generously made  us part of their missions budget. It is the commitment of this ministry to help men and women understand that not only are they worthy of their calling, but that the Body of Christ will suffer without them.