We'll Have The Lights On For You
By Bob Gerstmyer, Executive Director
I am reading a book entitled Transformational Church. The authors talk about a concept they refer to as relational intentionality, which they describe as welcoming in broken and hurting people. The authors go on to say that intentional relationships are at the heart of the gospel. Jesus created and sustained a welcoming environment. In Luke 15:1-2 we read, "Now all the tax-gatherers and the sinners were coming near to Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'" The writers conclude, "Our (the church's) mission is not an activity, but a relational engagement with God."
There is no better example of this than Christians opening their homes to strangers who are broken and hurting. In a few hours we will be placing a five month old and an 11 year old in two of our Safe Family homes. The Church at Severn Run has partnered with us in Safe Families for Children and we recruited these families from there. Neither of the families have met the children, yet they are opening their hearts to these kids who need safe places to live while their mother works through her crisis. The children will be returned to her when she can provide a safe environment for them. In the meantime, we are extending the love of Christ to her and her kids. We are anticipating a wonderful conclusion to this story as only God can provide.
"The mission of the church is not a thing, but a relationship with another person who is yet to meet Christ." I am so proud of all of our parents who open their homes to strangers and in the process introduce them to Jesus Christ. Come and learn more about how you can be involved in the mission of the church through Baptist Family. Our next Breaking the Cycle event is Thursday evening, May 6 at 6:00 p.m. We'll have the light on for you. God bless.
SUCCESSES!
Note: These stories are taken from our monthly "PrayerGram." If you would like to receive the Prayergram by email, please click here and leave us your address. All names have been changed to protect the identities of our kids and families.
Melissa approved two new families for our Safe Families for Children program. One family is from Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie and the other is from North Harford Baptist Church. We also welcomed two new CHOSEN families earlier this month --one from Howard County and the other from Baltimore County. We are happy that they are willing to open their homes to children in need.
There is great news to pass along about Ching Lan, for whom you have been praying over the past several months. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in January and started a full time job with benefits this week. Ching Lan is now looking at a more stable future.
Darron took his GED test this week. After he receives the GED, he has a job lined up and ready to go.
Kudos to foster parent Tamara Harris for her willingness to stay up all night during a recent hospitalization with her CHOSEN child.
Prayer Requests
...for a foster child who is having difficulty with the transition back to his biological family and is acting out.
...for a foster teen who has not had contact with his biological family for years and is hesitant to respond after they reached out to him through social media.
...for a woman who lost her husband on Monday; she is feeling overwhelmed by the logistics of his burial as well as the grief of losing him.
...for a foster child who is struggling to stay on task at school.
...for a young man who is seeking a diagnosis for chronic abdominal pain.
...for a foster child who has been experiencing suicidal ideations.
...for a man who will undergo cataract surgery next week.
...for a young mother who is recovering from a severe infection in the brain and going through physical therapy.