Thomas and I have known for a long time that in this season we were called to be foster parents. When choosing a church several years ago, we knew it was essential for the church to have an Adoptive Foster Care Ministry and other foster families.
When we got our first foster placement, it was a whirlwind. Our CG showed up with meals. Our church AFC ministry provided diapers, clothes, burp cloths, and bottles. Our CG passed our baby around the room every Monday night and checked in throughout the week. They constantly prayed for us. And when our placement left, our CG and the AFC team sat with us. Listened to us process. Provided us with a gift card for a date night. Invited us to have fun with them. And let us mourn in their presence again.
And when the next placement came, they did it all again. They prayed. They provided. They sat. They listened. They rocked. They were being the church. And when this placement leaves, they will mourn with us.
And then, they will do it all over again. We believe that not every Christian is called to foster parent, but they’re all called to foster care. We see this in our CG, the AFC ministry, and support of other Sojourn AFC families and members. In something that could be very isolating, we’ve never felt alone.
The reality is, though, not all adoptive and foster care families at our church have a CG or a CG that can provide this kind of care. They need other CGs and members to stand in the gap and to be “ready” to help them. Please consider contacting the AFC Ministry at Midtown to explore what it would look like for you to join the Ready Team. And if you adopt or foster or are planning to, let the AFC team know so they can walk with you.
Contact the Adoption + Foster Care ministry or learn more about AFC at Midtown.