Over the past 10 years, Krista Davis, Director of Safe Families for Children and licensed foster parent, has watched the Church do amazing things. She has seen God's people, inspired by the plight of the weak and vulnerable rise to send medical teams to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. She has seen Christians tackle worldwide hunger, and child trafficking. "Our hearts are moved by the Holy Spirit, and we lean into where God calls us to serve," Krista observed. She recently sat down with Mary Beth Bonaventura, the director of DCS for our state, and listened as she tearfully discussed the plight of Indiana's children. Hundreds of children right here in our state, in our own backyards that need the church. "They need us. They are hungry, abused, alone, homeless and some are without parents," says Krista. She believes, "the Church in Indiana can do amazing things. I have seen it...I believe we can pull together to lead the nation in loving our neighbors. "Every Child" was born out of that burden for Indiana's children and the belief that we, the Church, can make a difference for every child in our state who is in need.
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalm 82:3-4)
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
(Isaiah 1:17)
Krista assembled some associates and reached out to organizations with hearts for children. Hands of Hope Adoption & Orphan Care Ministry, Bethany Christian Services and The Villages of Indiana have teamed up with Safe Families to inspire the faith community of Indiana to get engaged and serve Every Child. We agree the church is the answer for Indiana's vulnerable, neglected, abused, hungry, and homeless children. We know that we, as the body of Christ, can provide hope and change for the hurting.
The needs are great. "Children are being abused and neglected at an unprecedented rate in Indiana. In fact, from July 2014 to July 2015 the number of children entering into the DCS system has increased by 26 percent, "shared Mrs. Bonaventura. There are currently over 18,000 children in Foster Care in the state of Indiana, 245 of them waiting to be adopted. Staggering statistics. In a months time, DCS receives 13,000 calls. Only a portion of those meet the qualifications to remove a child from their home. A large majority needs support in times of crisis.
What if each of those children were met with the love of Jesus? What if before DCS was involved there was a way to walk alongside families to prevent abuse and neglect. Imagine if Every Child walking in to foster homes across the state of Indiana were offered the mercy, grace and goodness we all were freely given. What if Every Child had a family and a place to call home? We pray for a future where Every Child is loved well.
Our one day symposium focuses on empowering the body of Christ to get involved. There will be inspirational speakers, break out sessions and practical ideas on how to love marginalized children. Interested in fostering? Adoption? Hosting a child in your home? We'll have answers to your questions on how to get involved. Wanting to start a ministry at your place of worship? Want to support those who are adopting and fostering? We will give you the steps to take. Maybe you've already opened your doors to children and are struggling how to parent a hurting child. Participate in an open dialogue and fellowship with others experiencing similar battles. Are you not sure where to start or how you might fit in to God's plan? Come and give the Holy Spirit room to move.
Every Child. Expecting God to move. Giving him our yes.
We can't wait to see you there.
March 12, 2016
Light of the World Christian Church
You may have been asked where is God when bad things happen to children. God must be asking where are we. The answer for Indiana's hungry, poor, homeless, abused, orphaned and neglected children is the church. Every Child is a one day symposium
No comments:
Post a Comment