In the early 1950s Howard and Joyce Dillon accepted God's call to minister and preach to the mountain people of the Kiamichis. By 1956, the Lord had introduced the Dillons to Arnold and Eva Kernan of the Boise Christian Children's Home. During the Kernans' visit from Idaho, the two couples discovered that they shared the same dream, and foundation plans were laid for a new Christian home and school. In February 1957, the first child came to Cookson from Boise, Idaho. His name was Robert and he was 16 years old. During the spring of that year, the first Board of Directors was formed and the Articles of Incorporation were signed. Cookson Hills officially became Cookson Hills Christian School. The name was adapted to lessen the stigma attached to growing up in a "children's home." In the fall of that same year, the school started teaching its first students.

The decades of the 1960s and 70s were years of continued growth at both Cookson's main unit and also in the outer units. These years saw the building of the "big houses" and the elementary and junior high school. It was also during these years that the school became known as Cookson hills Christian Ministries (CHCM) because of the many programs CHCM now provided. In the 1980s, God continued to bless Cookson Hills with new programs, buildings, and children. In 1984, our new gymnasium was built, and 1985 was the first year for a senior to graduate from Cookson Hills Christian School.

In the 1990s, major effort and emphasis have been directed toward improving the quality and infrastructure of the campus. In 1995, the new office building was completed. All "big houses" had central heating/air units installed, and, along with other buildings, got a face lift with new vinyl siding. In addition, two new foster care houses were built and occupied. Many of our mobile homes were replaced with more cost effective, permanent housing. Sewage capabilities were upgraded, and many of the existing buildings were remodeled and upgraded as well. Today, the need for Christian children’s home and school is even greater than it was in 1957. Since our founding, Cookson Hills Christian Ministries has literally raised a generation of youth. With the help of God's churches and through His manifold blessings, CHCM is able to provide for the next generation of needy children.