How Can My Church Get Involved in Child Welfare?
When looking for ways to get involved in child welfare, many churches struggle to start. Pastoral staff often have limited time or manpower, which makes starting a program from scratch unrealistic. Others may not know where to begin given the complexity of the child welfare crisis in America. However, we at For Others understand the Church’s important role in ending the crisis. Because of this, we partner with Promise686, who mobilize church communities to serve vulnerable children and families. They equip and train churches to create Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs) that aid local foster, adoptive, and biological families in crisis. With this proven model, Promise686 helps answer the question, “How can my church get involved in child welfare?”
One church in Atlanta, Georgia, uses the FAMs model to serve vulnerable families in their community. Three participants from Christ Covenant share how this mission makes a difference not just for kids and families, but also for them.
The Family Restoration Ministry
Uniquely positioned in a populous and diverse city, Christ Covenant prioritizes serving the surrounding community. In particular, the church cares deeply about vulnerable children and families. They partnered with Promise686 to establish a version of FAMs customized to local needs. The result became the Family Restoration Ministry, where a group of Christ Covenant members meet local needs and create lasting relationships with those they serve. The groups are called Primary Care Communities. Becky, the ministry leader, says it’s been a gift to their church.
“It is a grace that in giving our lives away, we find the full life God made us for,” she says.
Blessing the Community
Over time, the Primary Care Community developed a particularly close relationship with two young women in the area. One, a new mom named Tiana, is a single parent to her baby son, Nico. Tiana’s unplanned pregnancy left her feeling scared, alone, and inadequate. Thankfully, she connected with Becky and the rest of the care team, who jumped in to help with basic needs like food and meals. But they didn’t stop there; their holistic support included caring for emotional, mental, and spiritual needs, too.
Mara, another member of Christ Covenant, recalls hours spent sitting around Tiana’s kitchen table. There, they listened to the young mom share her hopes and dreams for the future. Tiana also leaned on the care team for career and relationship advice.
“It excites her to have supportive friends in her corner,” Mara says. “And it humbles me that the Lord has filled me to be a vessel of hope in her and her son’s life.”
Best of all, Tiana and the other young woman both found a church home at Christ Covenant.
“The two women we serve in our PCCs have come to worship with us on Sundays, celebrated birthdays at our homes, and truly been brought into our family,” Becky says.
And Being Blessed
When Brittany first joined the Primary Care Community, she admits she thought of herself as a hero. She imagined giving advice and changing the lives of people who would be forever grateful. Now, Brittany knows that was pride talking, and she’s learned a lot about the true heart of service and love. Her friendship with one of the single mothers blossomed, someone she wouldn’t have met without the ministry. On a trip to the grocery store, the price of eggs brought Brittany to tears, realizing she could afford what her friend couldn’t. It broke her heart.
Now, instead of giving advice, Brittany listens to the mother’s needs and frustrations. Instead of changing lives, Brittany, herself, feels changed.
“God put this exact woman and child in my path not so I can change her, but so He can use her to change me,” Brittany says.
Should My Church Get Involved in Child Welfare?
When asked what they would say to churches or individuals hesitant to get involved in child welfare, they gave a unanimous do it.
“If your heart stirs for a particular group of people, that’s not to be ignored,” Brittany says. “That’s the Lord willing you to reach out to them.”
Mara also agrees that joining the Primary Care Community was an excellent decision.
“One faith-filled ‘yes’ on my part has brought an immense amount of joy, compassion, and friendship to my life that I did not know I needed,” she says.
Becky adds, “It’s beautiful to see what God does with it all.”
The Family Advocacy Ministry from Promise686 makes it easy for churches to get involved in child welfare. Yet some churches find their talents lie in another area. No matter what they do, all churches play a crucial role in ending the child welfare crisis, with countless ways to make a difference. Another church in Possum Trot, Texas, also felt called to help struggling children in their region. Despite their small size, they proved the power of faithful love is limitless. Be inspired by the true story of a church that adopted 77 of Texas’s hardest-to-place children, and consider how your church may be able to get involved!
