GRACE in Action: 140 Years of Proclaiming Christ through Compassionate Care

For generations, Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH) has stood in the gap for children, families, individuals with developmental disabilities, and aging adults who need care, hope, and restoration. Our mission is simple yet profound: to proclaim the name of Christ and be instruments that He can use to see families restored, people cared for, and dignity maintained.

Our calling is twofold: to serve vulnerable populations and to serve North Carolina, the people who make this ministry possible through prayer and partnership. Together, we are On Mission Together.

At BCH, grace is more than a theological concept. It is the heartbeat of who we are. Every story of redemption, every act of compassion, and every family restored through Christ is an expression of His grace at work.

This year, as we continue to strengthen our foundation and clarify our focus, the word GRACE captures how God is moving in and through Baptist Children's Homes.

G – Gratitude: Thankful for God's Faithfulness

We begin with gratitude for the goodness of God, the partnership with NC Baptists, and the vital support of friends like you. Every prayer, every hour volunteered, every dollar given to BCH reflects the love of Christ in action.

Your generous support and partnership allow BCH to continue serving across every stage of life from newborns to aging adults.

When a child is welcomed into a home, when a teen accepts Christ, when an adult with developmental disabilities is celebrated for who they are, or when a senior receives care that restores their sense of belonging or independence, we see the hand of God at work through you.

We are also deeply grateful for our staff and volunteers who serve daily in the trenches of ministry. Their faithful labor is sustained by your prayers, encouragement, and generosity. Together, we display the grace of God to a watching world.

R – Resolve: Anchored in Truth

In a world of shifting values, BCH remains anchored to the unchanging truth of Scripture. Our Board of Trustees recently unanimously affirmed this foundation by adopting the Baptist

Faith and Message 2000 as our official statement of faith.

This affirmation was not just administrative; it was a declaration of identity. It proclaims that Christ alone is the center of all we do and that our care for people flows directly from our commitment to Scripture.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). These words define our purpose. Our programs and partnerships flow from this unwavering belief that the Gospel transforms lives. We hold fast to God's Word, confident that only through Him can true healing and restoration be found.

This same resolve keeps our staff steady and empowers them to serve with clarity, compassion, and conviction as they demonstrate Christ's steadfast love every day.

A – Alignment: Partnering with the Church for Kingdom Impact

At BCH, we are aligning more intentionally than ever to a Kingdom focus. Not only will we continue faithfully serving children, adults, and families, but we also want to equip churches as they serve their local communities. With 140 years of experience in serving vulnerable populations, we are developing Gospel-saturated, trauma-informed trainings and resources that help churches extend Christ's compassion beyond their walls.

When the local church reflects the heart of Jesus to the vulnerable, lives change, communities change, and the Kingdom advances. When we align with the church, our collective impact multiplies. Together, we can meet both spiritual and emotional needs while pointing people to the ultimate Healer, Jesus Christ.

C – Christ: The Center of All We Do

Everything at BCH begins and ends with Christ. He is not an addition to our mission. He is our mission.

His compassion drives our work. His Gospel fuels our hope. His example shapes our service. Whether we're helping a child heal from trauma, walking with a parent toward restoration, supporting adults with developmental differences, or caring for the elderly, every act of care is an opportunity to proclaim the hope of Jesus.

Christ is the thread that unites us, sustains us, and calls us forward.

E – Every Child. Every Church.

This commitment comes to life through the launch of our newest initiative: Every Child. Every Church.

Building on our legacy of care, this movement invites churches across North Carolina to step boldly into the mission field, not just to the nations, but to the neighborhoods and mission fields within our own state to ensure that every child, every family, every person in need has access to the hope of Christ.

Through this initiative, BCH will:

• Train churches to become Gospel-saturated, trauma-informed ministries ready to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families in your communities.

• Equip congregations to care well for those within their walls--children with challenging behaviors, families in crisis, families raising children with special needs who long to be included, and aging adults who may feel forgotten.

We are also asking North Carolina churches to send missionaries to BCH. It is a mission call. We pray that the Lord will bring

• Christian adoptive and foster families.

• Cottage parents to nurture children in residential homes.

• Direct-care staff to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Compassionate caregivers to serve through our aging and family care programs.

• Prayer warriors and professionals leveraging their gifts for the Gospel

• Church members ready to welcome those we serve.

The fields are ripe for harvest right here in North Carolina. When you serve through BCH, you are living out the Great Commission.

When every church is a missionary-sending church, every believer recognizes the mission field in front of them and North Carolina becomes a place where every child knows safety, every family encounters grace, and every person experiences the love of Christ.

Jesus changes everything.

This year, we've seen grace in children giving their lives to Christ, staff walking through hardship with renewed strength, and in volunteers giving sacrificially of their time and resources.

When we walk in grace, we become the instruments God uses to restore what is broken, to bring light into dark places, and to see His Kingdom come—one child, one family, one church, and one missionary at a time.

Our mission is clear. We will stand firm in truth, align every program with Kingdom purpose, and equip every church to reach every child.

Thank you for your commitment and your prayers. We are truly honored to be On Mission Together.

David Melber

CEO, Baptist Children’s Homes of NC