2019 Summer Lifeprints by Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries

SUMMER 2019

Planting S eeds

A Mi ni str y of Plant in g S e e ds BY ROD MARSHALL, PRESIDENT/CEO

Lifeprints

ne evening this spring, I was walking my dog in my neighborhood. I walk the dog almost every evening after work, and it gives me a chance to visit with some of my neighbors. One of the neigbors I see just about every afternoon is 5-year-old Solomon. Solomon’s dad was working in his yard and Solomon excitedly ran up to me. He opened his hand and showed me a treasure that he had. In his hand was a single apple seed from his afternoon snack, and he told me he was going to plant it and grow an apple tree in his yard. He was very excited about this agricultural endeavor. I asked Solomon where he was going to plant this seed and he excitedly showed me the exact spot. I planted an apple tree in my backyard a few years ago and it has not done very well. I hope Solomon’s apple tree will do much better. Planting from seed is a challenging and risky endeavor. Paul Miller, my predecessor and exemplary leader, has said that ours is a ministry of planting seeds. Here at your Baptist Children’s Homes, we plant lots of seeds. Do you recall the parable of the seeds (Matthew 13:1–9)? Jesus tells us that some seed will fall on the path and be eaten by the birds, other seed will fall on rocky soil. It will spring up into a plant quickly, but will die because it has no roots. Still other seed will fall among the thorns and will be choked out. But, some seed will find fertile soil and will take root and produce fruit. Part of our ministry is trying to ensure that the seed we cast finds fertile and prepared soil in which it can become rooted. We till the soil by softening previously broken hearts through safety, protection, and encouragement. We fertilize the soil by providing devotionals and ample prayer for the children in our care. We water the soil with tears of house

WE A R E ROO TE D I N J ES US SO TH AT T H E C H I LD R E N IN O UR C AR E M IGHT H AVE TH E OPPO RTUN I TY T O BE AR FR UI T.

parents and foster parents whose hearts are broken daily for the children in their care. And then we plant seeds. Some will grow quickly, but may lack depth. Others will lie dormant, but may grow at a much later date. Many seeds will find fertile soil and grow deep roots and bear fruit. Join me in praying for our house parents, foster parents, social workers, and counselors that they may be found to be faithful planters. Join me in praying for every child and family in our care that the soil may be well-prepared to receive these seeds. Jesus spoke of seeds one other time. He said in Matthew 17:20 that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed that you could move mountains. Please commit mustard seed-sized faith to pray for the mountains of trauma to be moved from the children in our care, that the seeds we are planting might take root and bear fruit. We are rooted in Jesus so that the children in our care might have the opportunity to bear fruit. Planting Seeds

Wa t eri n g S e e ds of Fusion at usion classes in our Family Care homes are a new initiative we’ve implemented recently in Birmingham, and the community has really rallied around it, with business groups and church small groups regularly participating. Volunteers, Chris and Liza Kinsley, have been essential to these groups and have been faithfully serving our families along with their small group for over three years.

REACHING OUT TO SERVE

With six married couples and their 4

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children aging from newly born to their twenties, the Kinsley small group from The Church at Brooks Hills has been meeting in some form for eight years. “We’ve done a lot of life together—the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Liza says. This group meets once a week to fellowship, pray, and study the Word of God. They came to a point in their meeting together where they began to desire serving the community together, alongside each other and their kids, to make a difference in the lives

The Kinsley small group after a Fusion meeting at our Family Care home in Alabaster

L o ve: Fam i ly Care around them. The group did several short-term programs throughout the city, but had a hard time finding a place they could consistently serve with their children, as well as to invest in and build relationships with those they served. At the end of their search, they found out about our Family Care program. Many of the moms who come to our Family Care Home come with no plan, no other place to go, and no friends to help them. In their time with us, we do our best to provide them with all

BY TAYLOR FUNDERBURG, MARKETING COORDINATOR

three to help them start a new life out on their own. Support like this small group is able to offer is one contributing factor that helps our moms grow and transition to homes of their own.

A MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP

After visiting the home as a service project with her second graders from Westminster School at Oak Mountain, Liza knew Family Care was the right place for the small group to get involved. It started with doing small projects as needed, but really took off from there. While they still help with Planting Seeds

projects such as lawn care, vehicle maintenance, and cleaning rooms for new families, their newest focus is on Fusion skill classes, which have been implemented largely with their help alongside our Alabaster location’s House Manager, Cami Jones. With the vision to fuse together the hearts of those in our care with the community around them, we are seeing relationships form as a result of a few people choosing to show up each month and water the seeds that were planted by our staff team—the seeds that say: you are loved, you are important to God, and there is a second chance for your story—a freedom in Christ that’s yours for the taking. These classes do more than teach our moms financial planning, fun crafts, and other life skills; they provide a consistency of relationships to our families that they may have never experienced before. Chris shares, “One of the older kids isn’t super keen to come out and play the games with us . . . but we have one guy in our small group who will sit with her, do crafts, and chat with her. One Sunday, he had a meeting at the church and came late. She asked me three or four times, ‘Is he coming? When is he going to be here?’ When he showed up—the way her face lit up—it was so cool . . . That was encouraging to me, that there’s a real connection happening. When he showed up, it meant something to her that he had come back.”

SERVING CHANGES EVERYONE

Chris and Liza have seen this group impact those in our care, but closer to home, they’ve seen it change their own hearts, their kids, and their group as a whole. “Every Sunday, [the kids] ask us, ‘Is this the week we get 6

Lifeprints

to go to ABCH?’” Liza says, “We want them to have servants hearts, to look for needs around them . . . that’s been one of the neatest parts to me, to see our children look for ways to help.” Serving as Communications Director for The Church at Brook Hills, Chris has seen this opportunity provide a unique place for him and those in his group, to grow. “This is something I get to do . . . It’s a cool opportunity for me to get to serve because so many times when I’m serving, I’m expected, and paid, to serve . . . As our small group leader, it’s encouraging to see people God’s entrusted to you for a season, grow so much,” Chris says. As a group, they’ve seen this opportunity initiate stronger bonds between them, and it’s provided the space to learn and acknowledge each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and be able to complement and fill in gaps as needed to serve completely and wholeheartedly.

ALL THAT’S NEEDED

You could make volunteering YOUR next step in serving children and families in need. As Chris says, “I couldn’t help any of these families by myself. I don’t have the training or the experience . . . but I can play with their kids!” To volunteer, you don’t need a special background, but just a willingness to show up consistently to water the seeds planted before you.

To learn more about volunteering with our ministry, please visit us at: alabamachild.org/volunteer.

It Just Fe els L ike Home BY NICOLE WALKER, COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN SPECIALIST

Philip and Cara Jewell, house parents at our girls home in Mobile, with their children, Isaac and Acie Planting Seeds

irthdays in the girls’ home on our Mobile campus are special in many ways! For each girl’s birthday, house parents Philip and Cara Jewell take time to blow up balloons and put them in a large bundle to have ready for the birthday girl—a balloon for every year! And then waiting at the dining room table is a gift ready to open as soon as she gets home from school. It is special touches like these that make the Jewell’s house a home to the girls in their care.

COMING TO MOBILE

It’s been a little over a year since the Jewells came on board with us at our Mobile campus as house parents. Just a few short years ago, they had no idea this is where the Lord would lead them, but they can’t imagine being anywhere else.

During a season of seeking out where the Lord may have them serve together next, Cara says there was one night when she couldn’t go to sleep, and she started to remember that her grandparents were very involved with ABCH. She got up and decided to look at our website, and found out that there was a position open for house parents at our Mobile campus.

over the past year include taking trips with the girls, especially for those who had never been to these places before. Last August, they were able to take them to the beach, and to this day, they say the girls still talk about that trip. “The new girls who weren’t in our house last year always ask, ‘Are we getting to do that?!’” Cara said. Even though the big trips are fun, it’s also the little things that really make being house parents worth it to the Jewells, such as buying school pictures for the girls. “We did that recently for them, and they were just so surprised, saying, ‘You’re going to give me money, and I can get these?’” said Cara. She continues, “It means a lot when they realize that you’re going to meet their needs. When they come in and have a science project due in a couple of days, and they have a list of things they need, and you’ve bought the stuff for them to do it—it’s these moments that really stick out to me.”

Philip shares another memory that sticks out, “We had one girl who came in . . . who was very rough around the edges . . . She had seen way too much for her age. And she just softened over time. She really took to Cara, and would just run up and hug you. To see After applying for the position, they change like that is really something, heard from Dana Watson, Chief and to see we’re forming a connection Operations Officer, South Alabama. there.” Philip says, “We talked for a long time, LIVING WITH INTENTION and I got off the phone, and I just had The most important thing to the a grin on my face because I thought, Jewells is sharing with the girls how this is where we’re supposed to be.” much Christ loves them, and every day, they work to intentionally plant FIRST YEAR HIGHLIGHTS Some of the Jewells’ favorite times seeds in their lives, seeds they pray 8

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Rooted

I T ’ S SH OWIN G T H EM THE L OV E OF C H RIST. IT ’ S NO T TU RN IN G YO UR B A CK. I T ’ S TELLING T H EM YOU L O V E THEM . . . I T HIN K THAT ’ S HO W Y OU L E AD THEM T O JESU S . . .

will grow and flourish. Every night at dinner, they take time with the girls to read through a devotional and ask questions, such as what the scripture means and how it applies to their lives. Then they take steps to walk out their faith in front of them. “We tell them (the girls) it’s not just going to church; it’s not just reading the Bible,” Cara said. “It’s showing them the love of Christ. It’s not turning your back. It’s telling them you love them, even when they’re in

trouble . . . It’s your words, and it’s your actions . . . I think that’s how you lead them to Jesus, [because] they’re very much watching what you say and how you act.” And in the hard moments that inevitably come in parenting, the Jewells take those opportunities too for being role models and loving like Jesus. “I’m trying to teach them to love one another, to treat each other the way you want to be treated,” Cara said. “When I realize I’m having a bad attitude myself, I know I’m going to have to change my attitude, and I ask for their forgiveness . . . which is a very humbling thing. But it really means a lot to them that we do that.” Philip is diligent and takes to heart the role of being a father figure, reflecting the love of our heavenly Father, knowing many of the girls in their home do not have a good relationship with their fathers, and some don’t have a relationship at all. “God is our rock, and if I’m showing them a loving father who is going to provide and protect . . . hopefully they’re going to see the love of Christ in that as well,” said Philip. Over their years in ministry, the Jewells have cared for more than 40 girls, and they keep a journal with every girl’s name in it, so they’ll never forget them. We pray with them that the gospel seeds they’ve planted in each girl’s life will take root and create a foundation in Christ for years and generations to come. Planting Seeds

Photo is representative of children on campus

Our Ki ds Share

GROWING UP ON CAMPUS BY MICHELLE GLASSFORD, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

10 Lifeprints

n our Decatur campus, we are blessed with awesome house parents who have served for many years. With that gift has also come the blessing of their biological children who, for the most part, have only ever known life on a Children’s Homes campus. We thought it would be fun to hear from some of them as they share some of their perspectives on day-to-day life and how life at ABCH has helped them see life outside of themselves. Brothers, Cage and Conley, have lived on campus most all of their lives with house parents Dane and Dana Davidson who have served as our Boys Cottage House Parents for ten years.

CONLEY, 9 Tell us a little about you: I’m in third grade. Math is my favorite subject. I like sports—baseball. I play catcher. What’s it like living here and sharing your home with other kids? Not a lot of peace. No peace and quiet (the family all laughs, as Conley is always straight to the point). I always play with the kids here; they’re my friends. What are some of your favorite things about living on campus? Are there ways it’s hard? No, not really. What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? Hmmm . . . Actually, I have one—no, I got hurt that day—basketball hit me in the head. Swimming at the pool is my favorite.

CAGE, 14 Tell us a little about you: I’m in ninth grade. I like to play football; it’s probably about the only thing

you’ll find me interested in. And I like to hang out with friends. What is it like to share your home, space, and parents with other kids? Sharing my parents isn’t that difficult; I think about it as, I need to share my parents because these kids don’t have anybody to take care of them, to help them . . . Sharing my space can be harder; it was more difficult when I was younger, like it’s always about you, but when you get older, your parents help you understand it’s not about you. What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? Camp that we always go to. I love to do that at Shocco. It’s a good experience to get away from everything else for a weekend and gather with everybody I don’t normally see, like friends I have from other campuses or homes. I love free time and swimming at the lake, jumping off the bouncy thing into the water. How do you feel your experience growing up on the Decatur campus has impacted you and the way you see the world? I think the kids that come to live here are more grateful for things that I think I would take for granted. Like going out to eat. I take that for granted, but a lot of kids have never done that, like at a sit-down restaurant. It helps me not to take stuff for granted—as much as any 14-year-old kid who lives with their parents could. Abby and Ella are the oldest and middle children of Daniel and Melanie Lee, house parents for our Decatur Shelter Care home who have served for nearly six years. (continued, next page) Planting Seeds 11

A partial view of our Decatur campus

ABBY, 9

What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? Swimming at the pool here. Playing Tell us a little about you: I like playing golf, basketball, football, basketball with the boys at second and I like to play frisbee with my sis- cottage. ter. I like pets. I have a turtle and a ELLA, 7 fish.

What’s a normal day like here for you? Like today, it’s just really normal, cause it’s so quiet. But then (after school) the teenagers come . . .. We do chores; mine is sweeping—it was doing dishes, (she whispers: But I do not like that chore), so I changed to sweeping. What are some of your favorite things about living here? That I get to meet new people and that I get to hold babies. And that I get to make new friends every time people come here. And there’s more stuff to do. 12 Lifeprints

Tell us a little about you: I am 7. My name is Ella, and the fun I like doing here, is helping with the kids. I help my mom with playing with the kids. What’s a normal day like here for you? A normal day here for me, is like my birthday, normally. (How so?) Because . . . kids are here already. (We conclude, it’s like when you get to hang out at a party, but here, you don’t have to do the inviting.) I love cooking and playing with my mom. We also do chores. I want one chore, but my mom says I can’t get it—washing the dishes. I

want to wash dishes. My chore is wiping the table. What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? I have a lot of memories—going to the beach, going to the zoo. What are some of your favorite things about living on campus? Are there ways it’s been hard? Sometimes it’s hard to share time with my mom and dad. I like to play on our playground and go to other cottages here. And I like to play with the kids outside, climb trees, skate, and go to parks. It’s kind of fun living here because we get to help them learn about Jesus, and it’s fun going to church. Jack and Cade have lived on campus the longest, as their dad, Dr. Michael Smith, is the campus director and has served kids and families in Decatur for close to 20 years.

JACK, 16 Tell us a little about you: I’m in tenth grade at Decatur High School. I play tennis for the Decatur High team, so most of my time is focused on that. I also like traveling with my family and going to sporting events. What is it like to share your home, space, and parents with other kids? I’ve always lived on a campus, so I really don’t know anything different. There are always people to spend time with, so that’s nice. What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? Spending time at the pool during the summer and the events we have on campus are my favorites. There are too many to count.

How do you feel your experience growing up on the Decatur campus has impacted you and the way you see the world? I understand that everyone has struggles. I see the value in everyone, and it’s made me more sensitive to other people.

CADE, 18 Tell us a little about you: I’m a senior at Decatur High School. Now that my high school basketball years are over, I’m enjoying not having practice every day. Most of my time now is spent working after to school to save money for college. What are some of your favorite memories of growing up here? My favorite memories are spending time with other kids on campus. Some I have grown up with and become close friends. What are some of your favorite things about living on campus? Are there ways it’s been hard? I always enjoy the events we have on campus such as cookouts or fellowships with churches. Camp of Champions is also one of my favorite times. Nothing has been really hard for me. Sometimes I see my dad worry about things with the kids on campus. How do you feel your experience growing up on the Decatur campus has impacted you and the way you see the world? I like spending time with kids younger than me. I think growing up here has made me appreciate the best in others. I understand some people come from difficult backgrounds. It has made me more caring to grow up here. Planting Seeds 13

Wray and Joan Pearce with Michael Smith, Chief Operations Officer, North Alabama, and Rod Marshall, President/CEO

B u i ldin g A L e ga c y UNIQUELY GIV ING TO CHILDREN IN NEED BY TAYLOR FUNDERBURG, MARKETING COORDINATOR ray and Joan Pearce are making a tremendous impact for children and families. Like others who contribute in unique ways, the Pearce family takes hold of opportunities in front of them to serve with what God has entrusted to them. We all have the opportunity to share what God has given us—whether it be our time, words of encouragement, or resources—with those around us. We see our donors and volunteers do this every day to impact lives of those in need.

A HISTORY OF GENEROSITY

In addition to the legacy we all are building for those we serve, it’s important to also ponder the legacy we’re building for future generations. Wray was initially taught about the importance of caring for children in need, in his home, growing up. He 14 Lifeprints

says, “My mom loved children and kept foster kids in our home when I was young . . . she was a very loving mother who set a wonderful example.” Over the years, the Pearce family has continued that legacy by serving children in need in a variety of ways— from hosting them in their home, to submitting memorial gifts to ABCH in honor of friends, to serving as relief house parents at another organization, and the list goes on!

EMPATHIZED SERVICE

Both Wray and Joan are graduates of the University of Alabama (UA), and both worked hard to either help with or sustain their finances while in school through working and utilizing loans. After marrying their senior year at UA, the financial strains became especially burdensome.

YOU CAN LEAVE A LEGACY!

Wray says, “We literally had no extra resources when we went to UA, and we could have used some help with college expenses . . . God has blessed our family and the financial success we have achieved is due to the Godly values instilled in us by our parents, our church, church teachers and leaders. The education we received at UA has provided us with the skills needed to have financial resources from which we can give to others.” Because this couple remembers the trials they faced financially while in school, they have a special passion for giving to those who are in a similar situation today. The Pearce family has a special scholarship set up for children in our care who are accepted to UA, as a unique gift to those who work hard in their academics. “Funding a scholarship at UA to assist children in need is one way we can do what the Bible tells us to do, and we feel privileged to be able to do that,” Wray says.

The Pearce family has given so generously in ways unique to them, and we’ve been encouraged by their faithfulness in serving. They’ve truly used what God has blessed them with and passed it on to those in need. “The Bible tells us to take care of widows and orphans and the needy. We have been blessed to be able to help others . . . The joy of giving is a wonderful reward,” says Wray. How has God blessed you? In what ways could you give to those in need, and build a legacy for future generations?

With help from PhilanthroCorp, you can ensure that the legacy you leave behind benefits the ones you love and the causes you care about with 100% certainty. Starting with a phone interview, they will guide you through a simple process resulting in wills and estate documents that reflect your values and leave a lasting impact on loved ones and charities you hold dear. Their services are provided to you, by us, free of charge. The plan PhilanthroCorp helps you create can then be implemented by your own personal advisor or PhilanthroCorp can refer you to an attorney that will draft documents at greatly reduced rates. To learn more, fill out the information below and mail it in the envelope included with this issue.

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WHAT GIFT CAN YOU BRING?

There are several ways you can leave a legacy, including intentional steps towards will and estate planning that will impact children for years to come.

YES, I’m ready to take the next step towards building a legacy by speaking with a PhilanthroCorp representative. YES, I understand that this call is exploratory and that it can help me decide how to proceed. NAME: ________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________ ____________________________ CITY: _________________________ STATE: ______ZIP: ______________ PHONE: _______________________ EMAIL:_______________________

Planting Seeds 15

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