Children have a plan, hope for the future

Are you ready to be astonished? Last year, you and I as North Carolina Baptists touched more than 94,000 lives offering hope and refuge through the ministry of Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH). And, in the past five years, we praise God for 669 professions of faith!

These numbers represent children, family members, single moms, aging adults –– countless people who have been ministered to throughout BCH’s 23 statewide locations and orphanage in Guatemala.

You aren’t the only one who is astonished. I rubbed my eyes several times making sure these incredible numbers weren’t simply a dream –– but we serve a God who is able to make the biggest dreams come true.

God has grown BCH from a single orphanage in Thomasville to a network of ministries that reaches the tiniest baby at Good Shepherd Children’s Home in Guatemala to the aging adult served through North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM).

Baptist Children’s Homes is many ministries beating with one heart –– the heartbeat of Christ. Jesus is at the center of everything accomplished.

Throughout 134 years of ministry and growth, we’ve depended on North Carolina Baptists –– people like you –– for prayer and financial support. During these years, you have helped offer hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been shattered by neglect, abandonment, abuse, drugs, alcohol, and family crisis.

Each fall is our Annual Offering season. It is a vital time for our ministry. During these months, BCH staff members speak in hundreds of churches sharing how God, through your support, is changing lives.

Our scripture for this year’s offering, Jeremiah 29:11-14, is a favorite of our children:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

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