Administration

MR. C. EDWARD SHIPMAN
Founder

MR. TODD L. SHIPMAN
President/Chief Financial Officer

MR. CHARLES E. SHIPMAN, JR.
Administrator/Chief Operating Officer

A Family Affair

"There are people who think that Ed Shipman does everything on the Farm, but that's perception instead of reality. I do work hard and put in long hours, but I could not carry out this mission without my family and a dedicated staff," states Shipman. Gloria, who was trained as a nurse, has been the chief architect and builder throughout the years. The Farm has served as its own general contractor, designing and building the many buildings throughout the campus. "I've had the opportunity," says Gloria, "of building a little 'town' . homes, school, chapel, dining center, athletic center, and more.

"We are humbled," says Gloria and Ed, "that both of our sons, Chuck and Todd, have made a life commitment to this ministry." Chuck, now 48, married one of the Farm's single house parents, Janie, over 25 years ago. They have two children: Amanda, who just received her Master's in Education from Texas Christian University; and Lucas, who is a junior in the Academy. Chuck serves as the Farm's Administrator/Chief Operational Officer.

Todd, the Shipman's second son, is 46. Todd married Linda, an Academy teacher. They have three children -- Caleb, Katherine, and Sarah – all who are students at the Farm. Todd is President/Chief Financial Officer of the Farm's charitable, nonprofit corporation.

While Ed is off campus raising money, Chuck and Todd -- with the help of the principal, teachers, house parents, dining center personnel, ag workers, nurses, counselors, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff -- run the Farm's daily operations and take care of the children. "The Board of Directors very wisely revised our bylaws in 1999. They had initially been written around my role, then as Executive Director, and placed Chuck and Todd in positions of leadership. They can carry on that which Gloria and I began, maintaining the same goals and commitments by which we founded the work back in 1975," says Ed. "We want to be reaching out a hand of Christian love far beyond our lifetimes. Our young dedicated staff is equipped to take the Farm confidently and effectively into the future."

Audio:
Shipman - Sermon Intro
Shipman - Where Was God
Shipman - Land of Milk and Honey

Video:
Special video presentation of the Ebby Rose Award of Distinction to Mr. Ed Shipman