Time flies… as the saying goes and yes, we are having fun as well as experiencing the joy and blessings of kingdom work. At the same time, it has been fifteen years and we are deeply engaged in planning for the future.
The impact of everyone connected to this expression of God’s care for the fatherless is beyond anything we imagined back in 2007 as we first stood in front of the Florida College Bookstore and handed out brochures about Sacred Selections. But isn’t that what our Father said?
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
This month you all have provided the means for 385 children to find their place at the table in a loving Christian home. Over 350 couples have been blessed by your generosity, prayers, and hospitality to have started and added to their family. Thirty-nine [39] of these adopted children have been spiritually adopted as well, born again in baptism. The Father’s intent for the home to raise the next generation to know Him is working. Malachi 2:15.
The power of this work of ministry [Ephesians 4:12, James 1:27] extends beyond the immediacy of the child and the family that adopts. It has given opportunity for thousands of individual Christians to play their part in what the Lord’s brother describes as a definition of pure religion. Hundreds of deep, emotional connections and fellowship have been made through the practice of allowing God to accomplish His will and care for little children “such as these” through His people.
Over the past fifteen years the effect of leaven, the brilliance of His light and the unimaginable growth of little mustard seeds has been demonstrated in so many different ways. In fact, five of the many birth mothers, who placed their children for adoption have been so touched and impressed by the love shown to them in the process of adoption before and after, that they have opened their hearts and minds to the gospel, the love of Christ and have now put Him on in baptism.
At the beginning of this work, we didn’t have the vision to see all the ways caring for the fatherless would impact the people it touched. Nor did we see the ways we can rightfully perceive the larger impact and categories of spiritual work it would represent.
It is so much clearer now. So much more evident that adoption as a manifestation of caring for the fatherless is KINGDOM WORK, it is SPIRITUAL WARFARE, and it is EVANGELISM.
It is not difficult to imagine, nor improbable to predict that in the next fifteen years we will have over 1,000 children in Christian homes, hundreds of adopted children will have obeyed the gospel and will be serving in His work. Deacons will be appointed from among this adopted crowd, second generations of children will find homes in families made of adopted couples and tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters will be involved in the work, support, and funding all necessary to “care for the fatherless” in the 21st century.
The church will be as known for our “good works” as we are now known for our way of worship.
We are planning for this future. We are excited and confident for this future because of what God has accomplished through us in the past fifteen years. Yet, it won’t happen in the future like in the past without continued planning, giving, working, and praying. He has entrusted us to do His will and His work. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
We have a plan and a process to keep this work going. It’s called the FUTURE 500. Launched in December of 2020 we now have almost 100 Christians now supporting our plans for the future. Our goal is to reach 500 individuals who can contribute $1,000 annually to sustain the work of adoption and the cost of running the foundation. Here’s how the $1,000 donation breaks down:
- 60% of your donation continues to fund adoptions.
- 20% [$200] will provide funding for operational costs.
- 20% [$200] will provide funding to build an endowment for the future.
Please give careful and prayerful consideration. Take the time to count the cost and be involved with this expression of kingdom work.
