When my wife and I began fostering our two boys, things happened quickly. Some of the changes we were anticipating, but many, for first time parents, blindsided us. In those early days, we were so thankful for our community. Many people, from our friends, co-workers and church family, provided clothing and furniture and prayer.
These challenging days were made easier because of this support. Because of the teaching of Scripture and my own experiences, I have a heart for foster and adoptive care.
Not everyone is able to open up their homes or families to foster or adopt, but all are able to help. In our church, we accomplish this through our partnership with CarePortal.
For those unfamiliar, CarePortal is a means to connect kids in crisis with churches who can help. It’s a simple process. A caseworker or concerned individual submits a need to CarePortal. That need is then evaluated. If the need is legitimate, an email goes out to churches and organizations in the vicinity where they can respond to meet the need.
I personally receive multiple emails everyday with different opportunities. When one comes through that meets our church’s vision for loving the community, I reply that we can meet that need. From there, I send out a text to our CarePortal team, a group within our church that has agreed to help when possible.
For instance, recently I received an email where a family had received two new foster placements and they needed toddler beds. After I spoke to the caseworker, I sent out a text asking twelve people to give twenty-five dollars each. This allows us to “share the burden and share the blessing.” I then purchased the two bed frames and two mattresses. When they came in, I made contact with the family and arranged a date and time to deliver.
I was able to take a couple from our church to make the delivery so others could minister to this family as well. When we arrived, we met the parents and the kids, encouraged them and prayed with them. We also left them some information about our church before we left.
CarePortal allows members from our church to both see and meet needs in our community while, simultaneously, allowing our community to see the love of Jesus demonstrated through the church.
When that child lays down on that mattress, he can be reminded that Jesus loves them.
When that mom straps her child into that car seat we provided, she can be reminded that there is a church that cares.
And when that little girl puts on her basketball shoes, she knows that she has value in the eyes of God.
CarePortal has allowed us to pass along these beautiful truths by meeting tangible needs.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Through the Edna McMillan Oklahoma State Missions Offering, Oklahoma Baptists provide grants to churches to help meet local CarePortal requests. For more information, www.oklahomabaptists.org/smo
