In the last 12 months, an amazing 41 families have adopted babies into their homes through Christian Adoption Services, a ministry of Baptist Children’s Homes. Christian couples are boldly stepping forward responding to God’s call in ever increasing numbers.
More than 2,000 babies have been placed with Christian families through Christian Adoption Services (CAS) since its beginning in 1979. Today, God continues to bless the ministry in big ways. “We average about 30 domestic adoptions a year,” says Kevin Qualls, Director of Development, CAS and Young Leader Relations for BCHNC/CAS. “These past 12 months blew the top off.”
The 41 babies adopted this year signals more growth can be expected in the months ahead. New financial assistance awards are helping to reduce barriers couples face when responding to God’s call to adopt. CAS has assisted couples through the Jim and Doris Woodward Adoption Assistance Fund since 2017. The new Phillip Qualls Adoption Assistance Fund will begin making awards in 2024 for ministers who are adopting.
In addition, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina partners with cooperating churches, matching church funds at a 2:1 radio to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses of adoptive families, up to a maximum of $2,000 per adopted child. Families who adopt through BCH or CAS are eligible for an additional reimbursement at a 1:1 ratio, up to $1,000 per adopted child. Ryan and Amber Blue from Pleasant Garden Baptist Church are the fund’s first recipients.
Churches can apply for reimbursements on behalf of the adoptive families from their congregation and can apply online at ncbaptist.org/adoptiongrant. The fund was created after BSCNC and BCH NC partnered in 2021, creating the EVERY CHILD Foster and Adoption Ministry. “These are great days,” says Qualls. “Please pray as we work with interested families as they seek God’s will through adoption.”
Written by Jim Edminson, Editor of Charity & Children