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December 6, 2018While the Catholic Church has an extensive history of providing care for orphans and the marginalized, Oklahoma’s protestant sector is bringing fresh ways to integrate the idea of fostering and supporting foster families into everyday Christian life.
A recent panel discussion comprised of Baptist ministry leaders shared their personal stories of fostering and adoption. Panelists offered suggestions on how congregations can better support children and families impacted by Oklahoma’s great need for foster care.
Breanna Brumley, creator of WRAP (Wrestle in prayer, Respite care, Acts of Service, and Promises of God), said people know exactly what to do when someone has a baby or is in the hospital, yet people rarely provide that same level of attention to families who choose to foster.
The panelists agreed that many people have excuses why they can’t foster, but there also are families who understand the importance of finding children homes. One panelist gave the example of a husband and wife with five biological children freely taking in a set of foster siblings. “We’re not too busy for this,” they said. “If anybody on the planet should be doing this, it should be the people of God.”
Rev. Alex Himaya, senior pastor of theCHURCHat in Tulsa, stressed the need of pastors to make foster care a priority within their own churches.
"This ministry will not take off in your church unless you promote it. It cannot be an 'also ran,'" he said. “There is an adoption culture being developed. We’re all adopted in Christ.”
After Rev. Himaya asked each person during Easter services to take a child home, whether through adoption or foster care, it became his mission to work with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to get his congregation certified to foster or adopt.
Even if families are not capable of providing foster care or adopting, experts said there are several things Catholics can do including volunteering as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate, no legal experience required), provide respite care, cook a meal, provide transportation, serve as a tutor or mentor, find ways to get the parish involved, hold a diaper drive, help families financially, host training, provide childcare at the parish for families during training.
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Foster Facts
- There are nearly 9,600 children in state custody in Oklahoma;
- More than 1,000 children in state custody want to be adopted;
- More than 60 percent of children in foster care are under age 12;
- More than half of children who come into state custody are reunited with their families.
- Find more information at https://catholiccharitiesok.org or www.okdhs.org.
Provided by Oklahoma Fosters
Photo: “The Gospel, The Church & Foster Care” rally was held Nov.13 following the Baptist General Convention Annual Meeting in Edmond. Panelists discuss ways churches can better support foster care. Photo Eliana Tedrow/Sooner Catholic.
