Identity
“Adoption Doesn’t Fix Kids”
by Christian Alliance for Orphans
Faithful, wisdom-guided love does bear good fruit over time. But often it comes far more slowly, or in a different form, than we might have wished at first.
5 Ways You Can Minister to a Family with a Failed Adoption
by Shannon Dingle
Adoptions are complex and they don't always end the way families would expect. Families going through grief need the support and love of others.
A Circle of Support
by Bethany Christian Services
Everyone touched by adoption will feel the pain of loss in varying degrees of intensity. A family's network can offer support in many different ways.
A Foster Care Failure
by Christian Alliance for Orphans
One family's painful attempt to change the trajectory of a 13-year-old boy in foster care didn't work. Is this one more example of foster care failure? Maybe not.
A Letter to Foster Care “Trauma Mamas”
by FaithBridge Foster Care
I love him as if I had birthed him myself and it’s a messy birth story like any other, I suppose. No birth arrives without blood, sweat and tears.
A Letter to My Daughters About Fitting In and Standing Out
by Jason Johnson
In a world of conflicting messages about who girls should be, what they should value, and how they should be defined as women, here is one father's heartfelt appeal to his daughters.
Adopting Children From "Hard Places"
by Bethany Christian Services
Dr. Karyn Purvis, director of the Texas Christian University Institute of Child Development, joins Bill Blacquiere for a passionate discussion on the welfare of at-risk children and adopting children from "hard places."
28:45
Adoption Changes Lives
by Bethany Christian Services
George Dennehy was born without arms and sent to live in a Romanian orphanage. Adopted at 18 months, he is now an accomplished public speaker and international musician. Hear George's story and discover how adoption can make a remarkable difference in a child's life.
28:08
Adoption for Abandoned Children
by Bethany Christian Services
Christian music artist and adoption activist Laura Valentine joins Bill Blacquiere to share her personal story and to discuss her ministry.
23:05
Adoption in the News
by Mark Gregston
Despite their new family's love and kindness, some adopted children struggle with identity issues when they reach adolescence, especially if they are adopted at an older age.
Amazing Mysteries Concealed in the Cross
by Perry Stone
Since liberation begins at the cross, it is important for us to consider its inherent mysteries. Delivering a message from Mount Gerizim, Perry Stone examines the hidden mysteries of the cross.
21:42
Are We Being Wise with the Words Orphan and Fatherless?
by Shannon Dingle
We still use orphan or fatherless when we’re talking about adoption and foster care, even when those words don’t fit with our current culture or a specific circumstance.
Beauty Out of Our Brokenness
by Shannon Dingle
Although Shannon's children have several disabilities or early childhood trauma, she encourages you to put your trust in God and allow Him to make beauty from brokenness.
Being a Successful Foster Child
by Bethany Christian Services
Before Jamie Schwandt was a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve, and before he was the successful man he is today, he was a vulnerable child in foster care. Listen to his story as he shares what it takes to overcome a turbulent childhood and achieve personal success.
22:03
Beliefs
by Empowered to Connect
It's important to explore your belief systems to heal and transform your thinking and behavior. Knowing your beliefs will help you parent your children in a healthy way.
56:08
Bishop Aaron Blake: Walmart Love - Building Families That Love Like God
by Christian Alliance for Orphans
How can you assure your foster and adopted children that they'll ALWAYS be a part of your family? Bishop Aaron Blake Sr. shares a personal story about unconditional love.
09:59
Celebrating Holidays with Your Internationally Adopted Child
by Bethany Christian Services
Holidays can be a difficult time for children who have been adopted; however, for children adopted internationally, holidays can also be a positive time.
Chelsea Geyer: Love Don't Fix - Redefining Failure in Foster Care
by Christian Alliance for Orphans
Foster care doesn't always end happily ever after. How do you prepare both your foster kids and your biological kids for the sometimes sad endings?
05:15
Children from Hard Places
by Empowered to Connect
Do you have compassion for the history and background of your adopted child? Dr. Karyn Purvis shares 6 major risk factors that could occur before you adopt your child.
04:53
Church: The Friendliest Place in Town?
by Key Ministry
Christian friendship should extend to people who are different or marginalized. The problem is, many churches don't do a good job at reaching out to them.
Claim the Abundant Life for All of God’s Children
by Jacqui Jackson
Some children have seen up close and personally what sin has done to a broken world. They do not have Momma or Daddy standing in the gap for them here on earth. But God gave them you!
Closing the Gap
by Empowered to Connect
Do you understand the impact your children’s histories have on their development? Learn how to respond compassionately so that you can effectively lead them toward healing.
Color
by Empowered to Connect
Carissa Woodwyk shares her experience as a transracial adoptee to help you understand what your child may go through.
58:39
Common Questions and Concerns
by Empowered to Connect
This message deals with the issue of fear, and how parents can effectively help their children address and overcome their fears.
Don't Embarrass Me
by Empowered to Connect
Whether it’s a meltdown at the grocery store or a display of defiance at church, do you find yourself thinking about what other people are thinking instead of what your children need?
Effective Ways to Deal with Sleep Issues
by Empowered to Connect
Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages you to meet the needs of your child to solve the problem of sleep disruption.
06:23
Embracing the Grief of Adoption
by Empowered to Connect
Michael saw through his son’s tears and heard in his words the deep, heartbreaking grief that lurks in the shadows of adoption. Learn from his story and find meaning in grief.
Expectations
by Empowered to Connect
We didn’t save our kids, and we should not expect their gratitude. Why? Because it is an unreasonable burden to place upon them.
Fitting in At Church
by Key Ministry
The local church ought to be a safe place for everyone. Here's a firsthand account of why it sometimes excludes the people who need it most.
Five Outcomes for Children When Adoptions Fail
by Shannon Dingle
What are the outcomes for children when adoptions fail?
Focusing on the Whole Child
by Empowered to Connect
Do you understand your child on a holistic level? Every child (adopted or in foster care) will have a complex set of issues that you need to be aware of.
03:40
Fostering Healthy Independence
by Empowered to Connect
If your child comes from a hard place, reevaluate the concept that your children need to act the age that they look.
03:25
Gift 1: Give Your Child Voice
by Empowered to Connect
Give your child a voice by being fully present to hear their words. Dr. Karyn Purvis encourages you to listen to your child.
03:06
Gift 2: Give Your Child Nurture
by Empowered to Connect
Comfort your children with loving nurture and take some time to explore their world.
01:20
Gift 3: Give Your Child Shared Power
by Empowered to Connect
Dr. Karyn Purvis shares 4 styles of parenting and helps you understand why parents should share appropriate levels of power with their children.
05:03
Gift 4: Give Your Child Predictability
by Empowered to Connect
Create environments where your children know what to expect and give them predictable ways to have their needs met.
02:26
Gift 5: Give Your Child Permission to Process Feelings
by Empowered to Connect
Imitate Jesus by embracing and celebrating the full range of your children's thoughts, emotions, and feelings!
02:58
Gift 6: Give Your Child Playfulness
by Empowered to Connect
Play is fundamental to the healing and connection your child will make in your family.
02:00
Give a WISE Answer
by Bethany Christian Services
How can parents of racially diverse adoptive families better prepare their children for comments and questions?
God Is Both Whole and Holy
by Jacqui Jackson
When the hard things that some Modern Orphans experience disrupt the comfort of our ignorance, we need to remember that the world is broken. God, however, is not!