FAM (Foster and Adoption Ministry) We have the opportunity and biblical obligation to be advocates for and care for those who have no voice in this world (James 1:27). For those families that are interested in adoption and or foster care we want to provide a network of support in assisting the initial process and the life long journey of raising these children, and serving the children and families in our community and around the world who a part of fostering and/or adoption. If you’re interested in serving, or would just like more information, contact Matt & Kristin Donovan.

There are lots of ways to serve!

Adoption and foster care are not for everyone, but God’s heart for kids is for all of us. If you sense a calling to minister to foster and adoptive children and their families, here are a handful of ways you can help:

Pray! – We have a great opportunity to pray for children in our local community who need to find permanency. This commitment involves receiving the name of a child and praying for him or her until that child is placed in a permanent home.

Relief & Respite Care – Relief care and respite care are support services for foster parents. When foster parents need a babysitter for their kids, they need to find a respite provider or relief care worker for their foster children because not just anybody can supervise kids in foster care.

Relief care certification requires approx. 3 hours of training, a federal background check, and CPR certification. It certifies you to be able to watch foster children for up to 72 hours.

Respite care training certifies you to watch foster ids for any length of time. The training is much more involved and there is currently some reorganization going on within CPS and CHILD regarding avaialble trainers for this certification.

Become a Foster Parent – Becoming a foster parent is a big commitment. It will change your life, but you also have the opportunity to change a child's life forever. At the Village, we are commited to helping you get started as foster parent and to walking with ou along your journey. We take a wholeistic view to foster parenting - meaning we not only want to pur into the lives of these kids, but we want to pray for their birth parents, for their siblings, case workers, doctors, court officials - you name it. Their life is bigger and messier than many of us have ever had to deal with and Jesus can redeem every part of it! We desire for them to see an experience the forgiveness of Christ on their journey toward permanency.

Become an Adoptive Parent – There are a myriad of options and issues to think and pray though when considering adopting a child. Domestic or international? Private or CPS? My race or another? Infant or older? The list goes on, but that’s really just the beginning. The journey of an adoptive family is beautiful and unique. 95% of it is just regular old family-life, but there is this 5% that’s, well, something extra. Adoption is not easy, but it is worth it and you do not have to go it lone. There are a lot of adoptive families at The Village who have paved the road ahead of you. We are here to answer questions, pray for you, and most importantly - to be a listening ear that “gets” what you’re saying.

FAM Resources and Connections:

Tapestry: A Ministry to Adoptive and Foster Families

Tapestry is an encouraging and supportive community made up of adoptive and foster families as well as those who are considering adoption or are in the process of adopting. We seek to provide quality adoption-related information and education, support and encouragement, and a community where the joys of adoption can be celebrated and the challenges that adoptive families face can be dealt with openly and honestly. For more information email Tapestry or go to Tapestry.

The DFW Alliance of Adoption & Orphan Care Ministries

The DFW Alliance is a network of local church ministries in the DFW area. They are committed to serving oprhans and at-risk children in our local community and around the world. Each ministry is part of a Christian church congregation. FAM participates in quarterly vision-casting and netowkring meetings with other churches in the Alliance.

CHILD (Congregations Helping In Love and Dedication)

CHILD is a collaboration between faith-based communities and Child Protective Services (CPS) to find loving homes for children who have come into the state's care due to abuse and neglect. For more information, Fact sheets and applications are available in Servant Central on the Local Missions wall.