SCBaptists across the state joined for fellowship, encouragement, and equipping in their calling as foster parents at THRIVE.

“At any given day, there are over 4,000 children in foster care in South Carolina,” Jay Boyd, Senior Vice President for Ministry Strategy & Engagement at Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, said. Connie Maxwell partnered with Taylors First Baptist Church and Lake Murray Baptist Church to host THRIVE. Whether attendees were fostering, have fostered in the past, or are considering becoming foster parents, these events provided a valuable opportunity to connect with others walking the same path and to learn from experts in the field.

Supporting Foster Care Families

Boyd emphasized that the event and supporting foster care families throughout the state is just one facet of Connie Maxwell’s “Decade of Dreams,” a ten-year plan to become a national leader in healing and ministry for vulnerable children and families. “THRIVE was developed to create an environment for foster families to come together, sharing the mountains and valleys, the joys and struggles that come along with that journey,” Boyd said.

Encouraged and Equipped

Attendees heard from keynote speaker Maggie Dunn, clinical director and co-founder of House of Providence, a therapeutic residential facility for older foster youth languishing with little or no prospect for permanency. Dunn reminded attendees that the work they are doing matters and that God is working even when they can’t see it. She also provided practical, spirit-filled tips on how to care well for children in hard places.

Partnering with SCBaptist Churches

“We want to help churches make it easy to do hard things. We know more foster families will thrive when they feel supported,” Boyd said. Connie Maxwell partners with local churches to create an “everyone can do something” culture. “Our goal is to provide a safe, Christian, family environment to every child who needs one,” Boyd said.

Jon Jamison, Serve Team Leader at SCBaptist, expressed how blessed SCBaptists are to have Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries helping churches create strategies around caring for vulnerable children across our state. Jamison said, “Connie Maxwell is a tremendous resource for our churches as they look to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission and as they tangibly demonstrate the hope of the Gospel in their communities.”