Our Staff

Ron Gunter

Ron currently serves as Vice President for International Childcare for Florida Baptist Children’s Homes and coordinates the work of Orphan’s Heart.  Ron was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and grew up in Clarksville, TN where he received his Bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University.  In 1989 he received his Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.

Prior to joining Florida Baptist Children’s Homes in 2008, Ron served as a Southern Baptist pastor in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. He and his wife, Cynthia, and their three sons Samuel, Lee and Andrew, served with the International Mission Board in Eastern Europe, where Ron was the Strategy Associate for the Central Europe Field, overseeing work in Romania, Hungary, Moldova, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. After returning from the mission field, Ron served with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, first as Regional Associate for the Greater Houston Area, and then as COO/Associate Executive Director.

To contact Ron:

7748 S.W. 95th Ter. Miami, FL 33156
Phone: 305-271-4121
Email: ron.gunter@fbchomes.org

Howie Hooper

Howie joined Orphan’s Heart as the director in June of 2010.  He was born and raised in Elizabeth, Louisiana.  Howie graduated from Louisiana College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Physical Education.  In 1987, he graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Arts in Religious Education. And just recently, May 2009, he received his Doctor of Education Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Missions has always been the focus of Howie’s ministries, as he has served as a missionary (with his family Marvina, Evan (21), and Seth (19)) in Hawaii, Panama, and Honduras for over 15 years. He also served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Florida Baptist Convention where he led volunteer teams to minister in Cuba.  Prior to joining Orphan’s Heart, Howie served as the Associate pastor of First Baptist Church Mount Dora, FL for 11 years. If you can hold a child and love a child then you have all the requisite skills needed to join me on one of our international trips.

To contact Howie:

7748 S.W. 95th Ter. Miami, FL 33156
Phone: 305-271-4121
Email: howard.hooper@fbchomes.org