Word of Life Global Outreach message of Hope in Jesus Christ is based on the Bible. Our outreach is motivated by the love and compassion of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name and for His glory.

FOREVER FAMILIES

Foster Care & Adoption  

Vision  

The greater Washington, DC area is one of the highest regions in the nation with children in foster care and awaiting adoption – “Forever Families”. Many of these children are abused, neglected and abandoned. They do not need a perfect parent just someone to love and care about them. At World of Life we believe God has called the church to fulfill his promise to these children to be a “father to the fatherless”.

Our goal is to find these children mature Christian foster or adoptive parents; however, there are many other ways to serve these children.  

One study revealed that most Christians have considered foster care and/or adoption but lost interest when they went to their house of worship and found no information or support. These children are perishing because of a “lack of knowledge” in the Christian community.  

Word of Life International Church wants to link these precious children to “Forever Families” through education and partnership with Northern Virginia Children Services and the C-4 Group.  

Biblical Responsibility  

There is already a Biblical mandate to care for these children that lack safe and positive environments. A few Biblical examples,  

“Do not deprive the fatherless of justice” Deuteronomy 24: 17 

“God is a father to the fatherless…..he sets the lonely in families” Psalms 68: 5, 6a 

“Is it not your purpose to share yourselves with the hungry and to make room for the poor wanderer?” Isaiah 58:7 

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1: 27  
 

Remove the Barriers  

Although many people have an interest in becoming a foster care or adoptive parents these are barriers keeping them from making room for these children:   

  1. Lack of awareness – “We have thought about foster care or adoption but did not know where to go for information.” One study states that “over half of the people who considered adoption went to their house of worship and found no information so they gave up.”
  2. Unqualified – “I am not equipped to deal with a ‘problem child’”. NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHILDRENS SERVICES WILL TRAIN YOU AND AFTER YOU RECEIVE A FOSTER CHILD THEY WILL BE A CONTINUED SUPPORT
  3. Fear – “If I take a child into my home will they hurt my other children?”

          CHILDREN ARE SCREENED VERY CLOSELY AND MATCHED TO YOUR

          HOME AND CHILDRENS AGES.

  1. Biological parents – “I am nervous about interfacing with a child’s parents.” A FOSTER PARENT RARELY IF EVER INTERFACES WITH THE CHILD’S PARENT. THIS IS DONE THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORKER
  2. Intrusion – “Will the government intrude into my personal affairs if I take a child

           in who is property of the state?” YES, THE SOCIAL WORKER IS  RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CHILD.  HOWEVER, THE SOCIAL WORKERS ALSO EXISTS TO SUPPORT YOU  WITHOUT INTRUDING INTO YOUR PERSONAL AFFAIRS.

  1. Responsibility – “with all of my other responsibilities I am not sure I can devote

           the time.” THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SERVE INCLUDING

          “RESPITE”  WHICH INVOLVES HOSTING A FOSTER CHILD FOR A

           WEEKEND AND  GIVING THE FOSTER PARENTS TIME OFF

  1. Financial – “I am not able to support another child at this time.” FUNDING IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE TO CARE FOR THE CHILD.
 
 

STARTING A MINISTRY FOR FOSTER CHILDREN  

1. Give people a menu of choices

Educate people how they can serve these children and perhaps their parents along a continuum of care. Some might want to become foster or permanent parents but others may want to bless a child at Christmas with a toy, schools supplies or clothing.  

2. Promote opportunities to serve

    1. Host a “Bless a Child Day” annually (see description below).
    2. Add link from Northern Virginia Children Services to church Website
    3. Set up permanent booth in your church foyer – “Bless a Child”
    4. Form a “Bless a Child” leadership group to support foster parents.
    5. Begin a Foster Care support group
 
 

3. Host a “Bless a Child Day” – Church devotes one Sunday a year to presenting foster care & adoption.

    1. Allow a representative from Northern Virginia Children Services to share a 10 minute window (possibly use a family from church that has become foster or adoptive parents).
    2. Put in the church bulletin an insert announcing the foster care orientation and training
    3. Conduct a brief orientation immediately following the church service for those interested.
 

4. Establish a “Bless a Child Fund”

  1. To educate the church and community on foster care & adoption.
  2. To fund special events (e.g. Christmas party for Foster Families).
  3. Offer scholarships that foster care and adoptive children can apply for.
  4. Benevolence for prospective foster care and adoptive parents that need assistance to qualify (e.g. furniture, refrigerator, etc).