The Leeke family has been fostering for years, always with the hope of reuniting children with their birth families. Throughout their nine year journey, Cathy and Jonathon Leeke fostered a total of 23 children, each with their own unique stories and challenges. They managed this while also raising their three biological children–Meredith, Grayson, and Eleanor.
From Foster Family to Forever Family Read More »
As Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries continues its “Decade of Dreams” strategic plan, an important component will be a commitment to better understanding trauma and how to bring restoration, resiliency, and flourishing in Jesus name to kids from hard places. Connie Maxwell now offers free workshops, trainings, and resources focused on “Christ-centered, trauma-informed” care to churches
Connie Maxwell Trains Churches and Expands Services Read More »
Kim and Matt had two older children on the brink of adulthood when they felt the Lord calling them to adoption. They had always talked about wanting to adopt but had never actually pursued it. Born into a tumultuous environment, Chandler entered the world amidst adversity, experiencing withdrawal after being exposed to drugs in the womb. Trusting
Family Blessed by SCBaptist’s Adoption Grant Read More »
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
Encouraging Foster Families at THRIVE Read More »
Around six years ago, my wife Emily and I brought two beautiful little girls into our home through the foster care system. Not long after, we were blessed to adopt them into our family. Our passion for fostering and adoption came from a few different places. We realized that adoption is a picture of the
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When people ask how our foster care journey is going, we usually want to respond with, “How much time do you have?” It’s great, frustrating, all-consuming, exhausting, and fulfilling. It’s all of these things and more, but most of all, it’s hard. It’s probably the most difficult thing we have ever done in our marriage
A Journey of Foster Care, Faith, and God’s Strength Read More »
The Ainsworths are passionate advocates for foster care and adoption. Joel, Community Pastor at Church at Cane Bay, explains, “from the very beginning, foster care and adoption have been part of our heart as a church because they’ve been such a big part of our story.” He and his wife, Emily, adopted their two daughters
Caring for Foster Families in the Church Read More »
For David and Katie Bennett, their experience as foster parents has been a Gospel opportunity for their family. David spoke about how they felt called by God to enter foster care ministry, saying “We really felt like this was what God was calling us to do. It’s an opportunity for us to display the Gospel
Sharing Christ’s Love through Foster Care Read More »
One of the core values of the South Carolina Baptist Convention is the Potential of Every Life. This every life extends to children who are removed from their homes and placed in foster care. It extends to the biological families who have had their children removed from their care. This Every Life extends to the
Foster Care Prayer Guide Read More »
As a pastor, you have a unique opportunity to lead your congregation in caring for vulnerable children through foster and adoptive ministries. Will Browning, adoptive parent and SEND City Missionary with the North American Mission Board, shared three key ways to do that: model, join, and dedicate. By modeling, joining, and dedicating, you can lead
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