Adoption and Foster Care is a growing ministry of our church. Our intent is to provide a variety of on-ramps for participation, from supporting our local DHS office to volunteering with Embrace Oregon to learning more about becoming adoptive and/or foster parents.
Scripture says God predestined us for adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ according to His will (Ephesians 1:5). As such we have a special mandate to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause (Isaiah 1:17).
It has been said that involvement in adoption and foster care can be the most life-transformative, discipleship-oriented experience of one’s life. However you look at it, choosing to take a risk and enter into suffering goes a long way in conforming us to the image of Christ.
We believe that our involvement in the complex system of adoption and foster care gives us an opportunity to be a blessing to children, birth families, social workers, judges, and anyone who witnesses Christ in us.
Biblically, we as Christ-followers know that Jesus calls us to provide for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). This is a clear mandate. Statistics certainly reveal ever-present distress in our local neighborhoods and communities. Whether that be a child coming from a hard place in need of shelter and care for a season or a newly-born baby adopted into a forever family.
The need is great; there are currently 153 million children in the world who are considered orphans, having lost at least one parent. Locally, there are over 2200 children in foster homes in the tri-county area.
There are many ways you can participate in the bigger story of orphan care. See our Take Action section for a menu of possibilities.