On Monday, March 19, I’ll be starting a new feature called Ministry Mondays. Every Monday, I’ll feature a faith-based ministry that supports people whose lives are impacted by adoption. These ministries can be for foster and adoptive parents (or families in waiting), first/birth parents, or adopted people.
Our first Ministry Monday will feature an interview with Christopher Padbury, Executive Director of Colorado’s Project 1.27.
The following week, we’ll hear from Aimeé Poché, founder of His Heart for Orphans Adoption Ministry in Baton Rouge, LA.
Information about each ministry will be posted permanently on my Web site, www.laurachristianson.com. You can access the information by clicking the “Adoption Support” box in the lower middle portion of my site’s Home page.
One of the hallmarks of an adoption ministry is the commitment its participants have to listen to one another. In the Bible, the apostle Peter instructs us to “love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Demonstrating sincere, unconditional agape love towards others is one of the most fruitful ways in which we can obey and serve God.
In her book, 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms, Grace Fox suggests that we demonstrate unconditional love through attentive listening. That means deliberately stopping what we’re doing and engaging our eyes and ears in communication, absorbing what the other person is saying.
As we practice active listening, writes Grace, we’ll understand more of God’s heart for people. “We’ll comprehend more about His perspective on life, and learn how to obey so others will see His likeness in us.”
As we listen actively to others, we’ll understand their thoughts and hearts, too, and they’ll catch a glimpse of how the Father cares for them.
I’d love to hear from people worldwide who are reaching out to those whose lives are touched by adoption. Whether your adoption ministry is small or large, just starting out or well-established, we want to let others know about you!
In addition to sharing information about your ministry, we’ll also discuss tips and techniques for launching an adoption ministry. We’ll talk about what works (and what doesn’t), and we’ll brainstorm ways to effectively meet the needs of those who seek our assistance.
To participate in Ministry Mondays, please e-mail me the following information:
- Ministry Name (*note: I will not feature adoption agencies and facilitators unless your organization has a Christian humanitarian ministry branch)
- Location (City/State/Province/Country and name/address of hosting organization)
- Contact Information (If people want to learn more about your ministry, whom should they contact?)
- Mission Statement (Phrase or sentence that captures the heart of your ministry)
- Description (A few sentences or short paragraph that explains the scope of your ministry)
- Resources (Specific resources your ministry offers, such as workshops, resource library, counseling, financial grants, etc.)
- Fun Facts (Anything new, unusual, or creative about your ministry).
For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and
check out my Exploring
Adoption bookstore.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
My husband and I used the services of Bethany Christian Services in Kalamazoo, MI. They were fantastic in assisiting us get ready for our new bundle of joy. Our daughter had been in their interim care with a loving family. They also helped put a rush on our foster care liscence. We had 4 days to get ready for our daughter Gabriella. Then it was a 3 month wait for her birthmom to go to court. Bethany made that wait as comfortable as possible.
The thing that is best about Bethany is that they prayerfully make decisions and I know that they are contuing to pray for our family