Dear friends, The Evangelical Alliance, Care for the Family and the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service will soon be launching a campaign to encourage the UK church to step up to the challenge of finding and supporting the foster carers and adoptive parents needed to make sure every child in care in the UK that needs a home for good finds one.
CHURCH LEADERS:
I wonder if I could ask for your help. If you are a church leader could you leave a comment on this blog post which just says your name (including title) and your church that confirms you commend the campaign. I need to hit 100 church leaders by 5pm tonight. So if you know anyone you can pass this on to please do as it would be very very helpful.
[styled_box title=”Will you commend Home for Good” class=”sb_blue”]
• I strongly commend churches throughout the UK to get involved with the Home For Good campaign
• I believe that caring for the vulnerable children in our society is a clear biblical imperative (James 1:27 et al.).
• I believe that helping children to find safe, loving and secure foster and adoptive homes is a clear way that the church can serve God, serve our communities and show compassion to children in need.
• I call on churches to look for ways to intentionally and appropriately support their foster and adoptive families.
• I call on Christians to prayerfully consider fostering and adopting so every child that needs one can find a home for good.
[/styled_box]“Christians have a strong historic track record of showing compassion and concern for the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable. With such an unacceptably high number of children waiting for adoption in the UK and the pressing need for more foster carers we have both a challenge and an opportunity on our doorsteps. I commend Home for Good as a significant and practical way that Christians can serve children. It’s important as Christians that we use our homes to offer hope, healing and love to those in need.”
Rev Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York
“Home for Good is a timely initiative which will enable the church to become more involved in this vitally important work of adoption and fostering.”
Rev Nicky Gumbel,Rector, Holy Trinity Brompton
“Since there is no greater need in a child’s life than to be loved consistently and unconditionally I strongly encourage churches to increase their support of foster and adoptive families and promote the need for others to become similarly involved.”
John Cole, Director, New Wine
89 comments to “Home for Good”
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Rebekah Green - February 4, 2013 at 9:48 am
Wholeheartedly agree!
Rebekah Green
The Forge Community Church, Suffolk
krishkandiah - February 4, 2013 at 9:55 am
thank you very much Rebekah much appreciated :o)
Ned Lunn - February 4, 2013 at 9:51 am
I commend this necessary imperative to care for orphans.
krishkandiah - February 4, 2013 at 9:55 am
Thank you Nedd – which church are you from and are you Rev or Pastor ? thanks kk
Paddy Harris - February 4, 2013 at 9:53 am
I commend this campaign and have seen the amazing good families who foster and adopt can do for their community, churches and society as a whole.
Pete Blackband - February 4, 2013 at 9:57 am
Certainly commend this campaign . Adeyfield Free Church, Hemel.
Revd Jude Smith - February 4, 2013 at 9:58 am
In the long history of God and his people there is a justice, and simply a love imperative to care for those who society has left vulnerable.. Adoption and fostering should not just be championed, one might argue it should be the norm in our churches.
Katharine Ann Angel - February 4, 2013 at 10:04 am
Fulwood Free Methodist church… presently promoting Barnardo’s teen care from the pulpit. Hoping a support group will form who all take in children. Personally we fostered for years… I wrote a book called Being Forgotten, not about fostering/adoption but about the minds of the children themselves – to highlight different problems and to champion them. Forward by my brother in law, Jason Gardner, who has at last, successfully adopted this year. keep up the good work everyone! The children need us all.
Rev Peter Spence - February 4, 2013 at 10:05 am
Hi Krish, more than happy to commend this to Warley Baptist Church, Oldbury.
Peter Burns - February 4, 2013 at 10:06 am
Home for Good is a fabulous initiative and I’m delighted to offer support. Fostering and Adoption are terrific ways for Christians to show God’s love in rewarding ways. All that this campaign offers to encourage Christians to come forward in this way is to be encouraged. Peter Burns, Castle Hill Baptist Church, Warwick.
Rev Wayne Massey - February 4, 2013 at 10:10 am
Home for Good is a great initiative that will encourage the church to impact young lives for good through loving fostering families
Gareth Hawkes - February 4, 2013 at 10:12 am
Make yourself available if you have a spare room! Rainbow church, north London! Also check out agency http://www.phoenixcommunity.org /foster if you have a spare room and want to foster!
Mark Meynell - February 4, 2013 at 10:18 am
Without a doubt… sign me up
Mark Meynell
All Souls, Langham Place, London
Lucy Peppiatt - February 4, 2013 at 10:40 am
We at Crossnet Community are really pleased to commend and to support this campaign.
Matt Nott - February 4, 2013 at 10:45 am
I whole heartedly support and encourage churches to support this campaign. Matthew Nott, Minister, King’s Community Church
Rev Victoria Linford - February 4, 2013 at 11:03 am
From Rev Victoria Linford, Church of Scotland – yes I would certainly commend this campaign (we are adoptive parents of two boys and life with them is an exhilarating, exhausting and rewarding adventure!)
Matt Nott - February 4, 2013 at 11:11 am
I’m totally happy to support that campaign. Matt Nott, Minister, King’s Community Church, Oldbury, W.Mids
Vaughan Roberts - February 4, 2013 at 11:14 am
I ‘m right behind this excellent initiative and will commend it at St Ebbes, Oxford.
Glenn Innes - February 4, 2013 at 11:18 am
Delighted to add our name to this. Glenn Innes Associate Pastor, Gerrard Street Baptist Church.
Tim Lewis - February 4, 2013 at 11:20 am
I commend the Home for Good initiative as a practical expression of God’s love by churches for some of the most vulnerable members of our society, Tim Lewis (Curate: St Michael and All Angels Church, Bradford).
Rev Dan Yarnell, national co-ordinator, the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Great Britain and Ireland - February 4, 2013 at 11:25 am
One of the best ways of expressing our passion for God and participating in His mission is to express His love and favour to those who are the most vulnerable in our society and our communities. Of all such, children may be the most needy. To find a safe place to dwell with a loving family has to be one of the deepest expressions of humanity and therefore must be at the forefront of Christian involvement in the world. Fostering is a loving way to enable a child to belong, to be loved, to be transformed into a person of hope. I whole-heartedly commend this act of generosity and support.
Revd. Philip Brooks - February 4, 2013 at 11:37 am
I commend this initiative. Philip Brooks, Vicar
Dave Pegg - February 4, 2013 at 11:54 am
Absolutely! The need is huge and the church can and must step up to meet it! Dave Pegg – Youth Support Worker, Belmont Chapel, Exeter
Pastor Mark Reasbeck - February 4, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I back the campaign. The church needs to be at the forefront of this. Gateway Church Barnsley
Paul Woodman - February 4, 2013 at 12:12 pm
We commend this initiative. Look forward to working with you in Southampton. CITY LIFE CHURCH SOUTHAMPTON
David Matthias - February 4, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Totally agree, Dave Matthias, Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury
David Matthias - February 4, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Sorry should have read Dave Matthias, elder, Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury
Mark Massey - February 4, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I 100% commend this campaign. Rev Mark Massey, Rayleigh Baptist Church, Essex.
Rev Mark Salmon - February 4, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I completely agree that providing a home and care for children is probably the most important and essential gift to give the next generation…
Rev Mark Salmon - February 4, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Vicar of Harlescott in Shrewsbury.. sorry missed that bit out!
Rev Alan Nelson - February 4, 2013 at 12:36 pm
My wife and I adopted 2 children about 18years ago. Not an easy ride! I commend this strategy and would encourage churches to support the unique needs of adoptive families.
Rebekah Korniej (Youth Worker at St Luke's Highwoods and The Ark Highwoods Methodist Church) & LLB (hons) Barrister at law) - February 4, 2013 at 12:45 pm
As a youth worker and as a Barrister whose practice is predominantly in Family Law I strongly agree.
Jon March - February 4, 2013 at 12:49 pm
My wife and I support this 100% – we desperately want to see the crisis in adoption and foster care addressed.
Jon March - February 4, 2013 at 12:50 pm
My wife and I support this 100% – we desperately want to see the crisis in adoption and foster care addressed.
Rev’d Jon March, St Luke’s Oseney Crescent, Kentish Town
jake Belder - February 4, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Absolutley, I’m fully behind this! My wife and I are going through the adoption process at the moment. Jake Belder, St John’s, Newland, Hull.
Ray Ellis - February 4, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Youth worker at Tyndale Baptist Church, Reading. I commend this campaign.
Richard Frank - February 4, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Absolutely behind this!
Rev Richard Frank, Vicar All Souls Church in St Margarets nr Twickenham
Lucy Moore - February 4, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Full support from me for this brilliant campaign to find homes and families for children. Lucy Moore Messy Church
Peter Hughes - February 4, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Right behind the initiative. Revd Pete Hughes, Kings Cross Church (KXC), London
Mark Styants - February 4, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Wholeheartedly commend this campaign – Mark Styants, Pastor of Bovey Tracey Baptist Church
Mark Timmins - February 4, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Totally support this and have already been addressing it with the church where I am a Minister. Convinced that we can bring the numbers down!
Rev Alan Donaldson - February 4, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Delighted to commend home for Good. I have been a foster carer for 14 years. Rev Alan Donaldson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland.
Jon Beardon - February 4, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Wellspring Family Church, Dereham.
I would like to add my voice to fully support this important issue.
Steve Cleary - February 4, 2013 at 2:04 pm
We fully endorse this campaign as one which not only hears the voice of God, but does something about His call in obedience. In a society which is so full of self, we are called to act selflessly, especially to the most vulnerable in our community. Fostering and adoption are truly biblical expressions of God’s love and we whole-heartedly commend this initiative. Steve Cleary, Springfield Baptist Church, Upper Norwood.
Dan Christian - February 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Thanks for this Krish, I would love to commend it to our church, st Mary’ s and st cuthbert’s, Chester le Street.
Dan Christian (curate)
Revd Graham Hunter - February 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm
I certainly support this initiative to mobilise the church to engage with the crisis in adoption and foster care in the UK. A powerful expression of the love of God who adopts us all into his family.
Dr Ian White - February 4, 2013 at 2:31 pm
I warmly commend this project. As a minister of a multi-congregation church I encounter adoption in my work and have also experienced its benefits in my own family. Few aspects of contemporary life more closely mirror the way God sees us as we are adopted into his spiritual family in Christ.
Go for it!
Dr Ian White, Senior minister, Victoria Baptist Church Eastbourne.
Tara Bradford - February 4, 2013 at 2:44 pm
I’m an adoptee, adoptive parent and Church Ministry leader of Encompass Orphan Care in Bozeman, MT, USA. I appreciate the efforts and voice that Home for Good is speaking on behalf of the fatherless in the UK. This is most definitely a worthwhile campaign for the fatherless to be cared for by the local church.
Rev. John A. D'Elia - February 4, 2013 at 2:58 pm
I support this important effort without reservation!
John A. D’Elia, Senior Pastor
The American Church in London
Justin Tomkins - February 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Thank you for all you’re doing in relation to adoption. Justin Tomkins, Curate
Allen Bower - February 4, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Privilege to support this amazing campaign as an adoptee & future adopter. Adoption is at the heart of the Christian faith – we are adopted children of God, and fundamental to our mission as the church – we are called to care for the vulnerable. Rev Allen Bower, St Mark’s Kensal Rise.
Dominic De Souza - February 4, 2013 at 4:04 pm
As an adoptive parent and church leader, I am delighted to commend the “Home for Good” initiative.
Revd Dominic De Souza, Letchworth Garden City Church (Elim)
Stuart Earl - February 4, 2013 at 4:17 pm
This campaign has my complete support. Rev Stuart Earl, Minister for Youth, Biggleswade Baptist Church.
Neil Brighton - February 4, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Delighted to be able to add my voice to others in supporting your work with adoption and fostering.
Neil Brighton – senior minister Poynton Baptist Church
Revd Richard Dimery - February 4, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Absolutely. St James, Woodside (Leeds, Church of England)
Jon Magee - February 4, 2013 at 4:19 pm
I whole heartedly would encourage support of this project.
Rev Jon Magee, Minister of Lochgelly Baptist Church, Fife, Community Councillor and author of “From barren Rocks to Living Stones” & “Paradise Island, Heavenly Journey”
Rev Charlie Styles - February 4, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Hi Krish,
I fully agree and will recommend it to all those I serve. This is a pressing need and a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love.
Charlie Styles,
Curate of Stoke Poges, Rector-elect of Lutterworth
David Todd - February 4, 2013 at 4:26 pm
David Todd, Community Pastor, St John’s Evangelical Church, Linlithgow, West Lothian.
I fully support and endorse this campaign.
Owen Hylton - February 4, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Two weeks ago two christian child protection social workers I know, were asking why the church isn’t doing more to provide foster and adoption parents. They told me apparently there are 3000 children cleared for adoption in the UK and only 300 eligible families to adopt them. Happy to support.
Phil Cansdale - February 4, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Very pleased to add my voice to this, particularly having seen one family do amazing things as foster carers. Awesome work, got to encourage this. Revd Phil Cansdale, Vicar of Trinity Churches in Shrewsbury
Andy Robinson - February 4, 2013 at 4:41 pm
This is an important initiative in our society that reflects the heart of a God who adopts people into His family- Andy Robinson, Pastor of Woodstock Road Baptist Church, Oxford
Jane Willis - February 4, 2013 at 4:50 pm
I wholeheartedly support this initiative and pray is will be a blessing to many children in need of secure homes and families. Jane Willis – Vicar of the Chittleleigh Group, North Devon
Tim Fergusson - February 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm
I agree with the home-for-good campaign and aims. Tim Fergusson. Olton Baptist Church.
Pete Lowman - February 4, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Hi Krish. Definitely want to support what you’re doing with adoption & fostering, hope I havent missed the deadline. (I’m a pastor at Wycliffe Baptist Church in Reading.)
Graeme Ross - February 4, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Absolutely. Sorry this comment is 11 mins late. Rev Graeme Ross, Orchard Baptist Church Colchester
Graeme Ross - February 4, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Graeme Ross. Minister of Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester
Paul and Louise Bunton - February 4, 2013 at 5:42 pm
As foster carers and adopters ourselves we wholeheartedly support this campaign.
Paul and Louise Bunton - February 4, 2013 at 6:40 pm
As foster carers and adopters ourselves we wholeheartedly support this campaign.
We would love to get involved.
Paul and Louise Bunton - February 4, 2013 at 6:50 pm
We Wholeheartedly support this work, as foster carers and adopters we really understand the needs and the benefits.
We would love to get involved.
Adam Beaumont - February 4, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Revd Adam Beaumont, Holy Trinity, Westbury on Trym, Bristol. As Christians we are all adopted children of God… there can be no higher calling than to follow in these footsteps.
Revd. David Gerrard - February 4, 2013 at 7:46 pm
I wholeheartedly support this initiative as an active expression of God’s love to the most venerable in our society. David Gerrard (curate, St. Anne’s Church, Shevington)
Revd Gordon Jones - February 4, 2013 at 9:04 pm
This is an important ministry – to encourage the Spirit of Adoption within those adopted by God. I wholeheartedly commend this initiative. Revd Gordon Jones, Partick Baptist Church, Glasgow.
Gordon Watson - February 5, 2013 at 9:15 am
This is such an important and vital cause and as a hopeful potential adoptive parent I wholeheartedly commend and support the mobilisation of the UK church to love and care for those unfortunate children without families. (Leader @ Medway Family Church, Rochester, Kent)
Rev Dr Peter Harwood - February 5, 2013 at 3:49 pm
I commend this campaign!
Dave Eyeington - February 6, 2013 at 9:52 am
This is a key area where the church can demonstrate Gods love to a hurting world, at such an important time. I wholeheartedly commend it. Dave Eyeington (Associate Pastor, New Life Church Milton Keynes).
Richard Lamey - February 6, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Absolutely in favour of this- such an important area, and so much at stake, and so much good to be done. And if we’re not in the forefront of this, taking risks, making the difference in love, then what are we for? and what are we called to?
NIck Gore - March 6, 2013 at 10:33 am
I really agree with Richard and trust there will be thousands of children who find a home of love through this initiative and that it releases resources to support the whole family.
Richard Lamey - February 6, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Rector, St Paul’s Wokingham with St Nicholas’, Emmbrook and Woosehill Community Church, Diocese of Oxford
Revnd Canon Stephen Girling - February 6, 2013 at 2:03 pm
I support this campaign, have firsthand experience of seeing chuldrens lives transformed by loving, caring family, we need to encourage more.
Andrew Ryland - February 6, 2013 at 2:53 pm
A great initiative! Well done! Beacon Church (Addlestone and Chertsey in NW Surrey)
Clare Masters - February 6, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Delighted to add our prayers and support. We have three children, two of whom are adopted. Clare, Reader-in-traing at Bidborough Church.
Rev Simon Cragg - February 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Very late response but I fully support this campaign and think this is a key way Christians can support the most needy in our society. Rev. Simon Cragg, Southborough lane baptist church
Rev Simon Cragg - February 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Very late response but I fully support this campaign and think this is a key way Christians can support the most needy in our society. Rev. Simon Cragg, Southborough lane baptist church
Rev Sonya Doragh - February 10, 2013 at 9:13 pm
I endorse this campaign wholeheartedly. Adopting is the most rewarding, inspiring & challenging step of faith we have taken. Rev Sonya Doragh
David Meldrum - February 16, 2013 at 2:47 pm
We of St Peter’s, Mowbray in Cape Town wholeheartedly endorse this campaign, and will continue to promote fostering and adoption here in South Africa as we did in the UK.
krishkandiah - February 18, 2013 at 10:47 am
thanks David
appreciate your support
Arfon Jones - February 21, 2013 at 3:31 pm
As an adoptive parent myself, I can witness what a blessing and privilege adopting two children has been to our family. The ‘Home for Good’ campaign is God inspired. I’m 100% behind you.
Liz Chesters - March 6, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Being the adoptive mum of two girls I am behind you all the way. It,s redemption in action!
Claire - April 8, 2013 at 11:03 am
Really inspired by the Home for Good stuff at SH Skegness this year.
We’re already on that road with three amazing (adopted) kids, but had been really struggling. Felt truly affirmed this week – sacrificial love is hard but our sacrfice is nothing compared to that of the Lord. We feel we’ve really turned a corner and as a bonus our wee man is now on fire for Jesus too.
We would love to help get this campaign going here in Scotland.
Claire and Sandy