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TRUE V I NE
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BY ROD MARSHALL, PRESIDENT/CEO alatians 6:8–10 says, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially those who are of the household of faith.”
of our counselors, we plant spiritual seeds of good communications skills and reminders of what they once had, and we pray that these seeds might grow into a healthy relationship. When a teenager dealing with anger or resentment comes into one of our Campus Care Homes, we plant spiritual seeds of patience and kindness, and we hope that these seeds might grow into contentment and laughter.
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” In a nutshell, that sums up the work of your Baptist Children’s Homes. We strive to plant seeds of a spiritual nature because we believe that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and the hundreds of children we serve every year and the thousands of families we serve every year are the potential spiritual fruit.
Jesus is the True Vine. No other fruit we could bear would be worth the labor. Pray for your Children’s Homes house parents, foster parents, social workers, and counselors as they seek daily to plant spiritual seeds. Pray that we would abide in the True Vine, so that the fruit that is produced would reflect His nature. Pray daily for the children and families we serve, that the seeds we plant might find softened soil in which it can take root and grow into life-changing fruit.
When a homeless mother and her scared children come to one of our Family Care Homes, we plant seeds of hope and comfort. Sometimes they grow into fruit of joy and hope. When a child comes into one of our foster homes, confused about why they can't be with their family and unsure of what to expect, we plant spiritual seeds of reassurance and consistency. Sometimes they grow into fruit of confidence and assurance. When a desperate couple comes in to see one
Finally, we seek to live our lives and operate our ministry with evidence of the Spiritual fruit promised in Galatians 5:22–23. We strive to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all that we do with our children, our families, and with one another. What a blessing it is to serve in this ministry. Thank you for partnering with us to be planters. What a joy it is when we get to see the harvest! The Fruit of our Labor
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2019 a b r ig h t future
A youth in our care, Brianna*, received combined scholarships of nearly $100,000 for college! These scholarships were awarded to youth who had overcome extreme hardships in life and who had achieved outstanding academic status.
l e a r n i n g t o rid e a bi ke A 17-year-old girl in our care learned to ride a bike. House Parent Tammy Anderson shares how she was reminded in this experience that we all come from different places in life. She says, “Some are harder places than others. While ‘her place’ did not allow this opportunity, she has it now, all because of caring Alabama Baptists that love and support children."
o ur fi r s t a d o p t io n Our Auburn-Opelika office had its first adoption! Shown here is ABCH foster parent, Shalisa Grantham, with her sons, Tre and Chase. 4
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a c ce p t in g Ch ri st Cade*, who was in our care earlier this year, accepted Christ while he was at summer camp. Before leaving our care, he decided to get baptized!
m a k i n g m e m o r ie s Our house parents in Oxford took Mark*, Sam*, and Brian* on a trip to Chattanooga. It was their first time to visit this city, and they also experienced many firsts—a baseball game, visiting the aquarium, and riding the Incline Railway.
b ir t h d a y c e l e bra ti o ns
f i ndi n g s u cce s s Laura*, one of our foster children, started college this fall on a cheerleading scholarship!
*Unless otherwise noted, names and photos have been changed for privacy purposes.
Earlier this year, we celebrated Mia’s* birthday! Many children in our care have not always experienced fun birthday celebrations. That is why Mia’s foster parents wanted to make her birthday special, with a Moana breakfast party and a donut volcano cake! The Fruit of our Labor
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S Mary Turner, Katie Vecchio, and Dianne Summers
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ERV I C E BY NICOLE WALKER, COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN SPECIALIST his fall, we were able to honor three volunteers in our Oxford office who have been serving our children and families for over 15 years! “Their heart's desire was to be a servant to the foster parents and staff. A burning desire to make a difference in the life of a child drove them to come week after week to serve.” These words from former Area Director of Northeast Alabama, Ted Embry, truly capture the spirit of three women who have faithfully served our Oxford campus— Dianne Summers, Katie Vecchio, and Mary Turner.
GETTING STARTED
More than 15 years ago, Ted approached Mary Turner at church to see if she would be interested in helping wrap Christmas gifts for children in our care. She didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, but little did she know that this would be the beginning of not only her The Fruit of our Labor
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T HEIR H EA RT ' S DE SIR E WAS TO BE A S E RVA N T TO T HE FOSTE R PAREN TS A ND STAFF. A BU RN ING DE SIR E TO MAKE A DI FFEREN CE IN T HE LIFE OF A C HILD D ROV E T HEM TO C OME WEE K A F TER WEE K. service to our ministry, but of lifelong friendships with Dianne and Katie. “I finally realized I was being called to help with what I was doing [at ABCH], and [Dianne and Katie] joined later on . . . and they’ve been such a blessing; a real blessing.” Most every Monday over these last 15 years, these ladies served in many different ways—from stuffing invitations for our Open House events, to organizing and wrapping Christmas gifts for children in foster care, to organizing a storage room at our 8
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Oxford campus that houses donated clothes, toys, non-perishable food items, and other items that help our foster families and children in care. For these ladies, their Mondays have been filled with laughter, fellowship, and most importantly, opportunities to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to children and families in our care. “We’ve had some really, really good times,” Dianne shared. “We worked hard, and enjoyed what we did, and especially had fun at Christmas. We would decorate the home for the children, and wrapped packages for them, and we shopped for them.”
A GRATEFUL IMPACT
“They were so faithful to come in weekly and are willing to do anything asked of them,” shared Angela Brooks, Administrative Assistant at our Oxford campus. “They truly have a heart for our ministry! The three of them together are the best of friends, and they will crack you up.” Angela also shares that in addition to getting jobs done, they have also been a regular source of encouragement and support to not just our families and kids, but to our staff as well! The impact these ladies have made over the years is immeasurable, and we are so appreciative of all they have done for our ministry. Their loving and encouraging spirits have been contagious, and they have been a bright light to those around them! We are truly thankful for the countless days Dianne, Katie, and Mary have served with willing hearts, and the blessings they have been through their time with us and in times to come. Is volunteering your next step to help? Visit us at alabamachild.org/volunteer to view current opportunities to serve.
l i fe a n e w : BY MICHELLE GLASSFORD, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
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. . . I gai n e d s ome s h ips t o h elp me b an d fo r my gir ls. ast year, Mackenzie* found herself in a very unhealthy relationship and in serious need of help. After getting connected and moving into our Family Care home in Alabaster, life took on a wonderful new direction for her and her girls.
refreshing for someone to genuinely care about my day and (to ask) how I’m doing,” she says. In addition to the support received from Cami, Mackenzie shares how being able to utilize our counseling services through Pathways Professional Counseling was also a tremendous help, “Katie (our counselor) was and is a true blessing to me and my oldest. I was able to work through a lot of feelings and feel empowered because of her. I wouldn’t change anything about my experience.”
“I was in a toxic relationship with my then fiancé, and my kids were seeing a lot of things that I realized wasn’t healthy for them,” shares Mackenzie. “I had gotten to my breaking point, and I knew it was time to leave. I didn’t know where I was going to go and how I would Having endured the darkness of a toxic relationship, at times feeling powerless get out of that whole situation.” to change her family’s reality, Mackenzie She describes how her sister knew now sees God’s hand in helping her what she was going through and how overcome and develop a greater sense she began to research ways to help. of self and realizing the power she has Her sister found out about our Family as a woman and as a mom. She has also Care program and called and spoke seen and shares too, that this power with House Manager Cami Jones. After also lies in the community around us. walking through our admissions process, Mackenzie and her girls were able to move in to our apartment-style home in Alabaster, and a new chapter of life began.
STARTING OVER
“From the moment we arrived, Cami made us feel welcomed. That first night there was the best rest I had had in a long time because I felt so at peace. She always asked us what we needed and asked me how I was doing . . . it was so 10 Lifeprints
THE STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY
Our volunteers at Family Care are truly special and loving individuals, and from those experiences, Mackenzie says she is now inspired to also act on behalf of others in need, “I realized that there are great people in our community that care and want to see others do well. It inspires me to give a helping hand to the next person.” Rooted
t o ols a n d rel ationette r my l i fe for me — Mackenzi e* In addition to the volunteers who regularly pour themselves and God’s goodness into our moms and kids, there are often opportunities for community building in the home with other moms. She shares, “I have created such a great bond with four of the other mothers that lived at the house the same time that my family did. We have laughed so much and shared so many stories that I’m pretty sure our bond will continue years from now.”
she has now received because of ABCH. And as a ministry, it is God’s grace and goodness through the gifts of individuals, churches, and businesses that help us provide these things for those in our care. We are so thankful for your continued support in helping to change lives like Mackenzie’s and her daughters. Mackenzie has a bright outlook on the days and years ahead. She also knows she and her girls are not alone in their journey, as some of the friends they have met through this experience have now become like family to them.
Mackenzie says with all certainty, that entering and completing the Family Care program was one of the best decisions she has ever made. It can be hard sometimes to reach out, ask, and “Because of ABCH, I gained some tools accept help, but she wants to encour- and relationships to help me better my life for me and for my girls. We age any mom who finds herself in need of help, to do just that. still have work to do, but we are in a better situation to reach the goals I She says, “For any mother that has the opportunity to come to this program, have set for my family.” She continues, do it. You will be nervous and unsure, “ . . . The impact you (ABCH) have had but ABCH will be there for you. You will in our lives will last a lifetime. Please run into issues because that’s life, but continue your great work in advocating you will always have a support system for women and children’s safety, wellthat will be there for you . . . Be posi- being, and relationship with Christ.” tive and pray about your situation, and things will work out for your good.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As she reflected on her time with us, Mackenzie felt like there were not words to fully express her gratitude for *Name and photo has been changed for the many opportunities and resources privacy purposes. The Fruit of our Labor 11
fa it h fu lly fos t
Chelsea and Scooter Kellum with their children 12 Lifeprints
e r p a r e nt i n g: BY TAYLOR FUNDERBURG, COMMUNIATIONS & MARKETING COORDINATOR Our ur foster parents come from foster all walks of life—whether retired, parents of little children of their own, or somewhere in between. No matter what stage of life they are in, all of them seem to commit to serving children with the same heart focus: to love and sacrificially serve children in need with the love they themselves have experienced in Christ. Scooter and Chelsea Kellum, foster parents since June of 2018, model this beautifully, and we’re excited to share with you their story of faithfulness through foster parenting.
A LOCAL MISSION FIELD
After having their own biological children, Chelsea missed the mission work she once did internationally, but saw an opportunity right there in their community to reach out to those in need by opening up their home. “There are kids right here in Alabama who need help . . . we had room in our home, and it was a great mission field
we could be in right then,” she says. Scooter admits that, during this time of Chelsea’s thoughts shifting toward serving children in need around the community, his heart was tuned only toward domestic adoption because of the hesitations he had toward foster care. “After saying no for long enough, the Lord really gave me a heart for it and told me, ‘yeah—you’re gonna do this.’”
PERSONAL GROWTH
Scooter continues to share, “In Proverbs, it says to ‘lean not on your own understanding, but to trust in the Lord and He’ll make your paths straight.’” Knowing the goal of foster care is ultimately reunification, and saying good-bye to children you’ve loved and cared for can be hard on your heart, this is something many foster parents prepare for as they serve children and families. Scooter says, after saying good-bye to children they took care of for many months, he found, “The more we trust Him, not only does it help us find comfort and peace . . . When we’re committed to the Lord and we trust in Him, we’re gonna keep going because we The Fruit of our Labor 13
know that He’s called us to it (foster care) . . . ”
been placing on your heart, Scooter is familiar with this struggle, and offers a special word of encouragement should you find yourself there today:
Chelsea agrees with Scooter wholeheartedly, and adds that trusting in God in even the smallest details “To anybody out there who wonders through foster care has been a source how they could do it, thinks it’s too of growth in her own life. She adds, hard—whatever the fears may be—I “Here lately, I’ll also say I’ve had to would encourage them to take a look work through a lot of selfishness I at ABCH and foster care, because didn’t even know I had . . . with our maybe God wants to do something in own children, they normally obey your life beyond what you can imagpretty regularly, but [in foster care], ine. That was me. I gave every reason you’re having to adjust your world to in the world I thought that I couldn’t fit what the kids need . . . Sometimes do it, and now . . . it has blessed I find myself so frustrated and think, me richly and God has changed my ‘If I weren’t so preoccupied with doing heart and done a work in my life to what I want when I want, I could bet- where I am not the same spiritually ter meet the needs of these kids.’” because I was obedient.”
SHOWING CHRIST’S LOVE
In foster parenting, the Kellum family’s main goal is to model Christ—to the children who come to their home, to social workers, biological families, lawyers, and everyone else involved. “It is way harder than I thought it would be,” Chelsea admits, “In principle, I want to model Christ to the people I encounter, but people can be difficult. How you model Christ when things aren’t going the way you want and when you think so differently from others is a difficult challenge, but that is a goal!” Scooter adds, “It’s God’s calling on our life to love these kids the best we know how for however long we have them . . . so when they move on, they never wonder, ‘Does somebody love me?’”
YOUR PLACE TO SERVE
We realize that not everyone is called to serve children as a foster parent. But we also know that sometimes God calls us to do hard things, and we’re reluctant because of fear. If fostering is something the Lord has 14 Lifeprints
If you know foster parenting is not where you are called to serve in this season, there is another place for you to jump in and serve! Chelsea encourages those who are looking for a spot to serve, to consider coming alongside those who are foster parenting where they can. “This is a ministry where we as a church are all called to be a part. It’s not just us as a family doing it, it’s us as a church doing it.” Chelsea admits that one of the hardest parts of being a foster parent relates heavily to that of being a mother in general: having enough time to love and parent their kids well. Their church family at Eastern Hills Baptist Church has been a tremendous help. They’ve brought meals, helped with carpool, and so much more. What area can you come alongside foster parents to help serve children in need? We are grateful for families like the Kellums who took their next step in serving children in need. To help determine your next step to getting involved, visit us online at alabamachild.org/13ways.
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