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By FBCH STAFF
TALLAHASSEE (FBCH)—When it comes to hands-on mission projects, the members of Celebration Baptist Church in Tallahassee know there can never be too many cooks in the kitchen. 
MISSIONS Looking at the project as a “hands-on” mission effort, members of Celebration Baptist Church in Tallahassee participate in the renovation of a cottage on the Tallahassee campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. FBCH photo
The Tallahassee congregation wanted to get involved in a local hands-on mission project and contacted Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. After learning about one particular project, volunteers set their goal to help FBCH by remodeling a cottage on the Tallahassee campus.
The expansive renovation project, which focused primarily on remodeling the outdated kitchen, began Dec. 1 and took just 20 days to complete.
Thirty volunteers donated over 370 hours of volunteer time to completely remodel the kitchen, provide new carpet for most of the house, and paint all of the bedrooms. The project was funded through church offerings and donations.
Currently house parents Melissa and Barry Miller, their two children, and eight foster children live in the cottage. For the past three years the Millers have provided care to a number of children in need of a loving home.
The Miller family was particularly excited about the renovation, as they feel the kitchen is the heart of the family home. The children start their days off right, with prayer and a good breakfast, nourishing body and soul. No matter what the day brings, they know the kitchen is the place they will come together at the end of the day to prepare family dinner and reconnect with each other.
Because the kitchen was not accessible during construction, church members also provided meals to the house family during the period. Volunteers set up an extra table from which to serve the food, and the children and their house parents gathered in the dining room to eat their meals. The volunteers did everything they could to help accommodate the family, despite the disruption of construction that went on during the evenings and Saturdays. 
REMODEL Newly remodeled kitchen at a Florida Baptist Children’s Home cottage. FBCH photo
After the renovation was finished, the Millers and the children living in the house joined volunteers and other supporters in celebrating the completion of the project. During the event key volunteers and project partners were recognized for their instrumental roles in the success of the project. In addition, photographs of the project were shared.
This was not the first time Celebration Baptist Church has partnered with the Children’s Homes. The church has a long history of support of FBCH. Most recently, in 2011 the church provided Christmas presents for two FBCH families. Church members donated volunteer hours and resources to build a playground for one family who had adopted two blind children. They helped another family by providing a scholarship for the mom to attend a local trade school.
“Celebration Baptist Church has been a true blessing in partnering with Florida Baptist Children’s Homes for many years. The recent renovation solidified the church’s commitment and faithfulness to serve the least of these in our community. The quality and efficiency of this renovation speaks volume to their service to our Lord and Savior,” said Kyle Luke, Panhandle Area Administrator.
Now that the project is complete, the FBCH Tallahassee campus is currently working to renovate an apartment on campus in which house parents live when they are off-duty. They also plan to replace carpet in the other two cottages and provide other minor face-lift projects along the way.
Florida Baptist Children’s Homes has sixteen locations across the state. While they are united in their mission to serve children that have been neglected, abused and abandoned, each facility has its own specific needs for volunteer support. If you have a group of volunteers looking to get involved in local missions work, please visit Florida Baptist Children’s Home at fbchomes.org, email children@FBCHomes.org or contact headquarters by calling 863-687-8811.
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