Overview

 

Arrow foster/adopt families in the greater Houston, Texas area were treated to a day of Fall fun October 25th thanks to one of our church partners, The Woodlands United Methodist Church. The church went all out to express appreciation to the foster/adopt parents for all they do to serve the children in their care.

The Woodlands United Methodist Church graciously provided a fun filled day, for approximately 100 people, of face painting, animal balloons, a pumpkin decorating contest, a pumpkin carving contest, a petting zoo, mini-train rides, playground fun, and grilled-on-the-spot hamburgers and hot dogs. Arrow foster/adopt parents were also given an opportunity to earn two hours of training during a class in the afternoon with childcare provided.

Our deepest appreciation goes to everyone involved at The Woodlands United Methodist Church for their demonstration of love and support of our kids and families. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their special day!

If your church would like to find out how you can reach out to foster families in your community, email Clay Barton, Arrow's National Director of Ministry Relations.

 

 

Green Acres Baptist Church hosted the Pastors Summit for Orphans in Tyler, Texas on October 16th. Approximately 55 attendees from around the Northeast Texas Region gathered to discuss the worldwide crisis in orphan care.

Pastor David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church and Arrow Child & Family Ministries invited the group of interdenominational pastors to hear about the crisis and how their churches can respond. Leveraging off of over three years experience in providing post-placement support to families who have adopted both domestically and internationally, Green Acres Baptist Church has begun a more aggressive campaign called "Hope for 100." The goal of the program is for their congregation to adopt or foster 100 children. Pastor Dykes referred to Beniah in II Samuel 23:20 who was a risk taker and a "lion chaser" and encouraged pastors to also be risk takers and follow God's commandment to care for children in need. He expressed that the greatest need is for churches to change institutionally so they include a foster program as commonly as Bible Study and Sunday School.

A panel of experts demonstrated that even the smallest program in a church can help local churches serve their communities. Pastor Jeff Walchshauser of Christ's Chapel Bible Church in Ft. Worth and Pastor Mark Town of Pine Springs Baptist Church (both are adoptive parents) told how adoption has invigorated their churches and focused their congregations on ministries that are benefitting children and helping the workers to develop a stronger relationship with Christ. Dr. Jerome Milton, a former foster child, spoke of his journey through the foster care system that started when he was first taken to one of the worst group homes/orphanages ever investigated by the California children's authorities. Dr. Milton said the horrible experiences there, 14 subsequent placements in other homes, and two stays in California reformatories shaped him so he could be a witness for God today. He is an outspoken advocate of adoption and has adopted six children himself.

Bishop W. C. Martin of the Bennett Chapel Baptist Church in Possum Trot, Texas was the closing speaker. A remote community near the Louisiana border with Texas, Possum Trot has only 300 families and is so small it doesn't even show on the Texas map. "You can't even Google us," said Pastor Martin. Even so, the Bishop has led his congregation of 200 to adopt 80 children from the inner-city. He shared how his first child was so accustomed to fending for herself on the streets of Dallas, that she could..."Steal the sugar out of Gingerbread while you were looking at her."

The group laughed and cried as the pastor's described successes and failures that allow them to continually improve their programs. More than money, the children need the help and influence of Christian families. Every speaker told the group that a Christian family either saved them from a dissolute life or supported them in a time of crisis during their adoption experiences.

If you would like to learn how you can impact the lives of foster children in your area by hosting a Pastors Summit please email Clay Barton, National Director of Ministry Relations for Arrow Child & Family Ministries.