Living in a fractured culture, which is a consequence of sin, results in lives marked by disorder. This disorder manifests in many ways, including the breakdown of the family, which leads to a range of problems, such as the reality of foster care.
In Alabama, for example, approximately 6,000 children are currently in the foster care system. Children enter this system for various reasons, including abuse, neglect, abandonment and socio-economic factors, among others.
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Those who are removed from their homes due to these circumstances or placed into care by parents unable to provide for them, often face deep disruptions and trauma. The situation is dire, and the need for Christian foster homes is urgent.
How will the church respond to this call for action?
Assessing foster care through a biblical lens surfaces five core convictions that serve to move Christians to care for vulnerable children and families. They are:
- Every life has dignity, value and worth because humanity is made in the image of God.
- Every child needs a healthy and stable home, established on the truth of the gospel.
- Every broken home has the potential for reconciliation.
- Every child eligible for adoption deserves a forever family.
- Every member of the church has a role in the ministry to vulnerable children and families.
These convictions are grounded in a broad understanding of God as revealed through His Word. Passages like Genesis 1:26–27 shape my view of humanity, emphasizing the inherent value and worth of each person, made in God’s image.
Genesis 1–2 describe a creation ordered under God’s governance and provision, including the family structure of man-woman, husband-wife, father-mother. This is God’s good design; however, Genesis 3 reveals the intrusion of sin and the disorder it brings. As a result, God’s original design has been marred, and the following centuries provide evidence of its destructive impact.
Called to step in
Sin often disrupts the safety and stability of homes, leading to state intervention and, in many cases, the need for foster care. Christians are called to step in, offering support as biological parents and families work to restore their lives and bring their children back to safe, stable homes.
Through the power of the gospel, we find hope that “every broken home has the potential for reconciliation” through the reunification of parents and children. Yet, we live in an imperfect world, and often reunification does not happen, leading to the termination of parental rights.
For children who are now eligible for adoption, the conviction remains clear: “every child eligible for adoption deserves a forever family.” This mirrors God’s care for us, shown through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who saves and adopts us into His family by grace through faith. Ultimately, every believer has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable.
Vital role
The Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries seeks to protect, nurture and restore vulnerable children and families through Christ-centered services. Our entity, born from a deep burden to care for the most vulnerable, continues to play a vital role in advancing the gospel work in Alabama. Supported by the prayers and efforts of Alabama Baptists and others, ABCH is uniquely positioned to equip Christians and churches to reflect God’s character, commitment, and care through our ministry to the vulnerable.
ABCH provides care to the vulnerable through foster care, family care, college care and professional counseling. Through our partnerships with Alabama Baptists, we recruit, train, license and support foster families within local churches, equipping them to serve as missionaries who love and care for vulnerable children and families.
This gospel work is both a response to and a reflection of the gospel itself. It serves as a tangible expression of God’s character and commitment, as seen in Psalm 68:5–6: “A Father to the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”
Moreover, our care for the vulnerable bears witness to authentic faith before God and others. As James 1:27 teaches, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
With the need remaining great, this is an incredible opportunity for God’s people to live out the gospel, bring hope to the vulnerable and provide care for children and families in need.
How can you respond?
First, earnestly seek God’s wisdom and direction for both individual and collective involvement in this vital ministry.
Second, discern your specific calling from God. Some will be called to give and pray. Others will be called to foster or adopt, while some will provide support and care to those who foster and adopt.
Third, form or strengthen partnerships with ABCH and DHR, serving as advocates for the vulnerable. Lead initiatives such as Pure Religion Sundays to promote a biblical understanding of caring for orphans, host events that raise awareness about the need and organize gatherings that support and strengthen the community.
Jason Johnson, director of church mobilization and engagement with the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), rightly asserts that “Everybody can do something … so find your something.”
For more information about foster care, reach out to ABCH here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This was written by By Chris Woodall, engagement specialist with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries.
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