ISSUE th Anniversary 125
ISSUE
LP
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
1891–2016
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
b y R O D M A R S H A LL, P r esident/C EO n C. S. Lewis’s classic novel The Magician’s Nephew, he states, “One moment there had been nothing but darkness; next moment a thousand, thousand points of light leaped out.” I can clearly remember as a very young child enjoying my church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service. Our church would shut off all lights in the sanctuary, with the exception of the Christ candle on the Lord’s Supper table. To my young eyes, it seemed the sanctuary had been plunged into nearly total darkness. But if I looked toward the table, right in front of the manger scene, there was that single candle burning. I understood this candle to represent the Light of the World.
For 125 years,
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The pastor would stand in silence for what seemed to be several minutes. He would then approach the table and ignite another candle from the flame of the Christ candle. He then shared his light with the deacons, who then shared their light with the congregation. Within minutes, the light would be shared with all of the faithful as we all sang “Silent Night,” and the church would be completely, beautifully illuminated. It was then and remains one of my favorite sights. Sometimes we might wonder how much good one little light can really do. If all your life is spent around others who already have the Light, your one candle may not make much of a difference. However, there are many people
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) has championed the statewide cause of children and families in need. Over the next few pages, you will see how God has grown our ministry from a small, farm-based community in Evergreen to one of the most diverse childcare and family ministries in Alabama. The face of our ministry may have changed over the years, but our desire to see children and families experience hope and wholeness through Jesus Christ will never change. That desire is at the very core of all we do.
“bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” Like John, we know that we are not that Light, but also have been sent to “bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the who spend their lives where the Light world” (John 1:7–9). For 125 years and is hard to find, out on the edges. The for 30,000 children, we have proclaimed middle-class margins that we have the great hope that comes only from the constructed (life insurance, emergency funds, social support networks, sav- Light to those who have lived in darkness. Isaiah 9:2 describes this well, when the ings accounts, health insurance, stable prophet says, “The people that walked jobs, etc.) are not always available to in darkness have seen a great light: they everyone in our state. When you live that dwell in the land of the shadow of on the edges, it can be very dark. One death, upon them hath the light shined.” little light can make a great difference
One little light can make a great difference in stark darkness. Thousands of little lights can turn darkness into daylight. in stark darkness. Thousands of little lights can turn darkness into daylight.
Over the last 125 years, thousands of “points of light” have warmly illuminated the way for children and families who For the past 125 years, Alabama Baptists have found themselves in great darkness. have been candle lighters in the lives of It is my desire that our little lights and children and families who have spent His Great Light continue to shine upon far too much time in the dark. Over 30,000 vulnerable children have ben- people in great darkness for the next 125 years. With God’s provision through efitted from the loving light-bearers who have given faithfully and some- the generous faithfulness of Alabama Baptists, I remain convinced that the times sacrificially to bring the Light best is yet to come! into the darkness. Like John the Baptist, Alabama Baptists
Let’s all let our little lights shine!
1863
>> As the Civil War rages, the first attempt by Alabama Baptists is made to
establish an “Orphan Asylum for the State of Alabama, especially for the children of deceased soldiers.” However, as the war ends, and funds disappear with the devaluing of Confederate currency, the dream of a Baptist home for orphans would have to wait almost thirty years. 125th Anniversary Issue
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1891
>> Our ministry, originally named the Louise Short Baptist Widows’ and Orphans’
Home, begins through the efforts of Rev. John W. Stewart and a committee of six others with the registration of an official charter with the state of Alabama. Their collective dream of a childcare ministry, provided by Alabama Baptists, becomes a reality when the first home would open its doors in 1893 to three orphaned children. 4
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Since we are celebrating our 125th Birthday, we asked some of the kids in our care questions about their favorite birthday treats:
What is your favorite flavor of cake? 42% CHOCOLATE 30% VANILLA 28% OTHER What is your favorite ice cream flavor? 73% CHOCOLATE 21% VANILLA 6% OTHER Do you eat ice cream & cake together? 67% YES NO 33% Celebrate with our PARTY PACKS!
Host an ABCH birthday party for your church or association! Our party packs contain templates for invitations, trivia, party favors, cupcake wrappers, and more! Download this online-only pack at alabamachild125.org/parties.
1923
>> ABCH’s leadership recognizes the
need for relocation and moves the organization to Troy, Alabama, where we would be based for 74 years.
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A Love by R A ND Y WINTO N , ABCH Tr ustee llison was nearly 14 the morning she walked into the bedroom of a shelter house on the Decatur campus of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH). A year spent living with a teacher ended after Allison’s constant cussing, yelling, screaming, and hitting became more than the pregnant mother of a two-year-old could handle. After a call to DHR, all of Allison’s belongings were stuffed in a big green garbage bag and off she went to Decatur. What she noticed was not the color of the room, or the bed or even how soft the carpet felt beneath her bare feet. What she did notice was a bunch of “Jesus stuff” all over the place; Christian knick knacks and “some dumb cross” with Jeremiah 29:11 stamped across it. She walked over and took every single knick-knack off the shelf and put them out of sight in the closet. The time she spent living with her fourth-grade teacher was Allison’s first experience with an
1938
>> The Louise Short Baptist Widows’ and Orphans’ Home is
renamed as The Alabama Baptist Children’s Home. Two years later, a potential foster care home is discussed, but won’t become a substantial reality for another thirty-five years.
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adult who truly seemed to care and was her first introduction to a man named Jesus. But because of the problems Allison had caused, the teacher had little choice but to send her to foster care. So, feeling unloved, unwanted, and unworthy once again, Allison was done: done with people, done with religion, and most certainly done with God. Jesus obviously hated her . . . and the feeling was mutual. At 14, Allison Looney never really wanted to hear His name again. But in God’s humor, He sent her to ABCH, where she shares, “ALL they talk about is Jesus.” More than that, He apparently sent her to stay with, in her words, the biggest Jesus cheerleaders of all time! Nathan and Penny Campbell met her in the driveway. They were in their mid50s and their biological grandchildren lived with them, alongside other kids placed in their care at the shelter home. The second every new kid walked in the door, “Mawmaw” and “Pawpaw,” as they were called, treated them the same and loved them as if they were their own. Penny took the bulging garbage bag, gave Allison a hug, and told her everything was going to be okay. Allison looked at her like she was crazy. “Where’s my room?” Penny walked her to her new room, and as Allison sat down on the floor beside the bed, she watched this woman very carefully pull her clothes out of the garbage bag, gently fold them, and put
them away. Allison couldn’t help but think how kind that was. Allison sat on the floor of that room for hours, leaning up against the first bed in her life that would be her own. She felt numb and alone and just stared at nothing for hours. She thought back to life as a 7-year-old and the road that brought her to this place. As a child just trying to navigate first grade, Allison watched her parents, neither of whom finished tenth grade, become addicted to methamphetamine. They were living in a one-bedroom trailer in a run-down and dangerous area of town. Because their parents mostly lived in a drug-induced stupor, Allison and her sister were on their own to wake up, get themselves ready, and somehow get to school on time. It was a matter of survival, since making it to school rewarded them with their only meal of the day. Weekends meant no food at all. As the drug abuse escalated, so did the resulting physical abuse. Allison today wears the evidence of broken bones that never healed correctly. When their mom left, the girls eventually wound up living with an alcoholic aunt. At least they were experiencing better care, even if at such a tender age they began to realize what it felt like to be the “property that nobody really loved or cared about.” When her fourth-grade teacher took her in, it was her first introduction to church and the Bible and this man
1964
>> A new campus home opens in Birmingham.
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named Jesus. And yet, it was at church where her anger burned the hottest. After all, if God loved her so much, why did she have to go through her ordeal and all those other people at church seemed to have it all? Her only conclusion was that Jesus stunk, He hated her, and she never really wanted to hear His name again. So obedience and good behavior seemed a futile waste. In a matter of months, DHR stepped in and made the decision to put Allison in foster care. During her six months living in the shelter house, Allison grew attached to Mawmaw and Pawpaw. When an opening came up at a cottage on campus, Allison all but refused to go. When it became apparent she had no choice in the matter, she decided to do what she always did—try to be the worst kid she could be, complete with screaming and cussing. To her amazement, though, it
1969
>> The ministry further
expands to North Alabama by opening a campus home in Decatur.
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didn’t work this time. After a month, she walked in and announced to her new house parents, Jim and Martha Harris, “I don’t want to be here. YOU don’t want me here, so we’ve got to figure some way to get me out of here.” Jim laughed at Allison. She stared at him in disbelief. “This isn’t a joke.” “We’re not going to make you leave.” “Why not?” Jim smiled. “Sit down, I want to tell you something.” And for the first time in her life, an adult shared the gospel with this angry, frustrated teenage girl who thought her life had no value or didn’t matter to anyone, most especially God. Jim was patient and took his time explaining the gospel. When he was finished, he looked Allison in the eyes, “That is why we love you so much. Because Jesus died for you, we are going to die to ourselves every day for
you and we are going to love you. This is the kind of love that will never turn you away. “Allison, you can do everything you want and it won’t change anything. The love we have for you inside is far greater than the bitterness you have inside.” The light began to come on for Allison that night, but it wasn’t until a few months later when Allison finally realized, at her church’s youth group Bible study, that sometimes suffering happens for a greater good.
Andy Duncan, the youth minister, was teaching about Joseph and his story of sibling jealousy, neglect, abandonment and, eventually redemption. This piqued Allison’s interest, for obvious reasons. When Andy got to the end of the story, 15-year-old Allison Looney broke down and gave her heart to the Lord. “I want to live like that,” Allison told Andy, referring to Joseph. “I want to live a life where bad things are not crippling things. I want to live my life for something that is good.” Andy understood. “It’s a 180 degree change, Allison. You die to yourself. The Bible doesn’t depict it as a life turned
around and everything is perfect. You need to understand that.” Allison’s steely eyes met Andy’s. “I don’t need easy. I just want my life to be for something more.” From that point on, everything changed. Over the next three years while living at the Children’s Home, Allison devoted herself to Bible study, her grades, and discipleship. She was blessed to spend a lot of time with Clint and Lesley Worthan, new youth ministers who replaced Andy Duncan after he left. Lesley’s patience and willingness to
spend hours teaching Allison helped develop her understanding of the Word and God’s guidance in her life. What transpired was a young lady who ended her high school career in the Top 10 of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. After scoring a 32 on the ACT, Allison accepted a full national merit scholarship to Auburn University and continues her studies there today. This is an abridged story about Allison. A full version will be released later this year. Watch a video of Allison’s story at alabamachild125.org/videos.
1970
>> The former Protestant Children’s Home
in Mobile offers their facilities to be turned over to ABCH, strengthening the ministry’s capacity to provide services statewide.
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by NIC OL E WAL K E R hose who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Herman and Janie Ensor will tell you about their humble and gracious hearts. “Dr. and Mrs. Ensor represent the salt of the earth type people who have quietly and effectively made a difference in the lives of others,” shared Dr. Rick Lance, Executive Director of Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who also served as the Ensors’ former pastor at First Baptist Church Cullman.
possible to Cullman, Alabama through his OB-GYN practice, it was apparent that this was more than just a job for him—it was a ministry. He intentionally took the time to listen to his patients’ needs and pray with them.
In addition to caring deeply for his patients, Dr. Ensor was a visionary. He was very persistent with other doctors to bring them on board with his vision for the Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC). “They were passionate about Christ,” “We probably wouldn’t have the hosshared Steve Sellers, Church Relations pital that you see now if not for him,” Officer at Alabama Baptist Children’s shared Danny McAfee, close friend of Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH). “It the Ensors. “Doc led a drive to vacate was evident that they loved Jesus, and the old property and purchase 70 acres out of that passion, they just naturally on the perimeter of town and build loved people.“ there. Today, there are 3 three-story IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY professional office buildings surrounding it. When you consider the scope of Although Dr. Herman Ensor diligently worked to bring the best medical care what CRMC does, it’s phenomenal for a
1975
>> ABCH becomes a certified child-placing agency, introducing a brand new
element in its ministry—foster care. Foster homes are not owned or rented by ABCH like our campus care homes. Rather, they are private homes that are approved by our ministry as a good place for children, especially young children, to live temporarily in the care of foster parents. 10 Lifeprints
town of 15,000 and a county of 80,000 to have the (amazing) kind of hospital we have.”
THE ENSORS’ CHILDREN The Ensors first became connected to ABCH through friends who shared with them the need for furniture at our Decatur campus. Because of their giving hearts, they immediately helped fill our homes with sturdy, Amishbuilt furniture. It was after fulfilling this need that their passion for the
thank you note sent to them from our children,” shared Michael Smith, ABCH Regional Vice President North Alabama. “Each Christmas when I visited them, these mementos from the children were prominently displayed around their home.”
LEAVING A LEGACY Even though they are no longer with us, the Ensors’ legacy lives on. Their fingerprints are all over the community in Cullman and Decatur, ranging from the
Though Dr. Herman and Janie did not have children of their own, they often referred to the children in our care as “ their children.” children in our care blossomed. “The Lord put them in the right place, at the right time, and just used them!” shared Bobby Joe Smith, former Area Director, Decatur.
medical community to the children in our care. After their passing, the Ensors left their estate and a significant gift to ABCH to care for “their children,” a gift that will impact lives for years to come.
Throughout the years, the Ensors also helped build a playground, renovate the recreational courts, paid for cottage repairs, and provided literally hundreds of meals for the children in our care at the Decatur campus. “Though Dr. Herman and Janie did not have children of their own, they often referred to the children in care as ‘their children.’ They treasured every small gift and
In all that they gave, they wanted to make sure that God received all of the acknowledgment and glory, and that they were just humble servants carrying out His mission. “If you asked either one of the Ensors who owns what they have, they would tell you that God owns it,” shared Steve Sellers. “They wouldn’t hesitate about that answer. Everything they did, it was to glorify God.”
1983
>> The first emergency shelter for children opens
on the Troy campus. Today, emergency shelters are provided on the Decatur and Oxford campuses.
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*Seen here are renderings of what the new Family Care home in Mobile will look like.
hrough the years, we’ve seen many families torn apart due to job loss, financial difficulties, substance abuse, domestic abuse, or other life circumstances. While serving at-risk children and their families (often led by single mothers), we saw a great need to help them get back on their feet. That was why we started the Family Care program. Through Family Care, we are able to help mothers with dependent children rebuild their lives by providing a safe, stable, and homelike environment to
protect, nurture, and restore them as they navigate through this transitional time. While in Family Care, mothers receive educational services, job placement services, counseling, mentoring, spiritual enrichment, financial management courses, and more. “I left Mobile on a tank of gas and $5, taking a step of faith to come to Alabaster,” shared Valencia Pritchett. A few years ago, Valencia lost her job and home while living in Mobile and needed a fresh start for her and her
1995
>> In an effort to further serve the mental and emotional needs of the chil-
dren in our care, Pathways Professional Counseling opens its doors in 1995. Although initially created to serve children, Pathways has expanded its services to the general public, serving men, women, youth, and children. Today, there are over 40 locations across the state. 12 Lifeprints
daughter. That’s when she decided to go through our Family Care program in Alabaster. She shares, “When you think about your children, and how this is going to benefit them in the long run, you do what you need to do. Family Care is a new start for you and your family if that’s what you want it to be.” Valencia was not only able to provide stability for her family through the program, but today she is helping other mothers like herself by serving as Family Care Case Manager at our Gardendale location. Last year, ABCH was able to serve 70 mothers and children through Family Care homes in Alabaster, Gardendale, Mobile, and Oxford. Although several
were helped, many are waiting to enter the program because we are at capacity. Recognizing this great need, steps have been taken to grow this program, and we are breaking ground in Mobile in 2016, building a state-of-the-art facility to accommodate more families. Several acres of land with an existing home have been acquired, and we are nearly halfway to our fundraising goal to launch this project. With the expansion of Family Care, we anticipate that we will be able to triple the amount of families served through the program in that region! To learn more about our Family Care Program and ways you can help, visit alabamachild.org/FamilyCare
1997
>> ABCH leadership acknowledges a need
to be in a more centralized location for our statewide services. The historic Troy campus is closed, and the organization’s headquarters moves to Birmingham. 125th Anniversary Issue 13
b y PAUL M I L L E R o you remember when you came to understand that as a Christian you have a responsibility to “let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16)?” For me, it began in 1951 when I became a Christian and my mother started sharing with me the opportunities and responsibilities we have to demonstrate our love for Christ and others. My family lived in a rural area in Alabama and attended a very small Baptist church. We were very involved in church activities and my parents ministered to many needs in the
community, but they also participated in a variety of efforts to support state and world missions. Although my mother always resided in a small farming community, her faith was anything but small. She taught us to have a worldview—especially when it came to our faith and believing what God could do for and through us. My parents most actively supported Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH). In the summer when we were harvesting and canning vegetables, my mother bought extra-large jars to fill for the children. In the fall, my family would join with other families in filling a railroad car with canned goods, along
1999
>> Expanding again! Childcare services are offered
in two new locations: an emergency care shelter is opened in Oxford (called the Friendship House), and a campus care home is opened in Dothan.
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with corn and hay for the milk cows and other livestock on the Troy campus. Our church also collected a cash offering to help meet other needs of the Children’s Homes. What my family and our little country church did was what Rev. John Stewart, the driving force for the founding of the children’s homes in 1891, had in mind when he attended a meeting of a new board of trustees that had been appointed to study the feasibility of establishing an orphanage. After much discussion, the board president asked Rev. Stewart what he thought. Rev. Stewart’s answer was brief and direct. “I think it is practicable to start an orphan’s home in thirty days.” When asked how he would do it, Rev. Stewart answered, “Well, I would do it this way. I would locate the home temporarily somewhere, and get some motherly woman to be the Matron, and pick up some poor child to be the beneficiary, and let the Baptists know what you’ve got, and they’ll do the rest.” With the blessing from the trustees, that is what Rev. Stewart did. From that humble and faith-stretching beginning, ABCH has grown to be the most diverse children and family ministry in the state, serving thousands every year.
The success of the Children’s Homes can be attributed to many factors, but none more important than the love of Christ shining through the faithful house parents, foster parents, social workers, counselors, support staff, volunteers, and financial supporters. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join this dedicated group of people in 1972, and to have had the joy of observing first hand the impact the ministry has made in the lives of thousands of children and families. It is entirely appropriate to celebrate what has been accomplished with God’s blessing during the past 125 years. However, with the deterioration of families and rampant abuse and neglect of children, the need for this ministry is greater than ever before. The growing needs provide greater opportunities for you to let the light of Jesus shine in your life. When those committed to Christ join together to meet these needs, they can more effectively light a path for hurting children and families out of the darkness they are experiencing into a bright future!
Paul Miller spent his entire professional career with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, beginning as a social worker in 1972. In 1990, he became President/CEO of ABCH, eventually retiring in 2012.
2016
>> ABCH celebrates 125 years of ministry to more
than 30,000 children and families in Alabama! Thank you to all of the churches, donors, volunteers, and supporters for helping us reach this milestone! View more of our history and ways to celebrate at alabamachild125.org. 125th Anniversary Issue 15
PAID
PERMIT #2036 BIRMINGHAM
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE
th
Here are 10 Ways you can celebrate!
One
Participate in 125 ways to pray for ABCH (coming soon at alabamachild.org/pray)
Two Host a diaper drive for 125 packs of diapers. If you have a lot of involvement, try for 125 packs of each size!
Three Host a 125th ABCH birthday party and invite
a speaker from ABCH to come and share with your church or association.
Four Celebrate
at your associational meeting with an ABCH birthday cake!
Five Collect $1.25 a week as a family, and share
it during the Christmas Open House event/season.
Six Sponsor a child for Christmas for $125. Seven Set a prayer reminder for 1:25 PM every day to pray for children and families in need.
Eight
Nine
Ten Host a paper pounding for 125 paper products, including paper towels and toilet paper.
See more at alabamachild125.org!
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Share your birthday by asking those who want to purchase a gift, to donate to ABCH this year instead.
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries P.O. Box 361767 Birmingham, AL 35236-1767
Donate $125 in groceries and/or gift cards to help provide meals for the children on our campuses.