It’s election season again, which means a never-ending stream of political ads on TV. I can’t wait for that part to be over. However, who we choose as our leaders, especially our Governors, can significantly impact the state’s child welfare system. There are 11 states with Governor seats up for election this year. Do you …
Foster Care
For the past 25-years, I have either advocated for children as a Marketplace leader or worked with Marketplace leaders to positively impact the lives of children, families, and communities. From my corporate career in banking and finance to my philanthropic engagement through community-based organizations, there has been one question that has always surfaced, “What should …
Imagine receiving a call while eating dinner with your three middle schoolers with a special request. To take in four children. Helen and Christopher had just said “yes” to becoming foster parents. They were about to say “yes” to a life-transforming experience. Life changing for their family and church. As well as a struggling family …
How does the church continue to meet the need of over 400,00 children nationwide in the foster care system?
Ben & Jessica are a married couple who attend Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2012, they heard their church was hosting a Foster Care Information Session. The church partnered with Coalition of Care, a nonprofit ministry serving as a bridge between local churches and vulnerable children in southwestern Ohio. Coalition of Care Collaboration When …
An elementary school teacher wakes up one summer morning thinking it’s going to be another ordinary day. She has no idea that her world is about to be turned upside down in a few short hours. Later that evening, she receives a call from Child Protective Services. They are removing two of her students from …
“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
After Sue and I graduated from college and got married, I landed a great job in the publishing industry. I thought my college days were over. Little did I know that God had other plans for our lives. Plans that involved more schooling to prepare us for our future. Our journey started with prayer, discussions, …
I hear it at least weekly— “If it weren’t for my church… ” This is the chorus of an ever-growing choir. What follows varies from a simple statement to tragic stories met with timely redemption. You might expect stories of individuals trusting in Jesus because a local church pointed them to Him. You’d be right. …
When I first began working in child welfare over 17 years ago, the Lord had not yet captivated my heart and radically changed my life. Because of this, I had an exceptionally critical eye for the Christians. Especially ones who were foster or adoptive families, and the Church. I saw the Church as an organization …
They blazed a pathway to connect prospective families with the child welfare agency.
Pure and undefiled religion, as defined by James 1:27, is to look after vulnerable children and widows while maintaining our gospel message. If our churches will embrace care for vulnerable children through US foster care, we must do more than supply new foster homes. We need churches committed to mentor broken families, children with special …
The trajectory of my life changed forever when my 18-year-old, unwed birth mother came to know Jesus Christ as her savior. She didn’t have the resources or family support to raise me. Knowing this, her pastor helped her make the loving choice to terminate her parental rights and put me into foster care. After a …
How To Start A Foster/Adoptive Family Ministry Equipping the Church for Lasting Impact in Child Welfare Eight of ten children were off to school, covering four campuses, three cities, and five grades. She stared with disbelief at the city official. It was mid-morning. The house was almost quiet except for the pair of three-year-olds in …
God is calling His church to enter this battle right now. Somewhere on your watch, there’s a child that needs you.
“Where does she live?” We ask this so we know which church to call to get the mom connected.
I can imagine how his day started. At eight years old, I suspect Noah woke up, fed his dog, and left for school. He walked solemnly to the bus stop, feeling a small ache with every step. He thought about the night before, his mom’s cries colliding with screams from his three-year-old sister. And Gary, …
When it comes to post-adoption support, churches are an often-overlooked solution. In these unique times of racial injustices and a global pandemic, families search for new ways to respond to the world. A research company, the Barna Group, shows that practicing Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt. Many adoptive parents identify their faith as …
Children and youth in foster care can move an average of seven times before the age of 18. Usually, they leave abruptly and with very few personal belongings. In some cases, there is no time to find a backpack or suitcase, so they collect their items and compile them into a trash bag. Imagine the …
Foster care is a silent epidemic that is overtaking so many lives. Over 440,000 children and youth have been removed from their homes and experienced immense trauma. Children being born into a survival situation. Youth who are susceptible to moving schools more than seven times before they graduate. I have wept for the souls of …