The crowd waited patiently at the international arrivals gate, holding signs and posters, whispering to each other and frequently shifting left or right like a giant caterpillar. A group of 50, young and old, were eagerly awaiting their first glimpse…
Adoption services offered by Virginia Baptists’ HopeTree
SALEM — Virginia Baptists' HopeTree Family Services is one of several agencies that provide adoptive home studies and supervisory visits. HopeTree is licensed to accept children from their birth parents with the purpose of agency adoption. Adoption Services also facilitates…
Family completed through foster-to-adopt program
SAN ANTONIO — Timothy and Karen LeRoy of San Antonio realized fairly quickly after having difficulty getting pregnant that God was leading them away from infertility treatments and instead toward adoption. And the LeRoys' long journey to parenthood ended in…
Adoption and the Church
Pastor W.C. Martin heard God's commandment loud and clear. If God had adopted us into his heavenly family, why shouldn't we emulate him through adoption on earth? “God is the one who started adoptions,” he said. “Jesus went out of…
Parents of adopted child seek to help him learn his blended heritage
ROUND ROCK, Texas — A family's heritage can be a great source of pride — something parents carefully pass down to children so they know and embrace their culture. But adoptive parents of children with mixed ethic heritage face special…
Christians have opportunities to shape lives through foster care
While Scripture advocates taking care of orphans and widows, the church has abdicated that responsibility to the state, some Christian child-advocates insist. “It shortchanges people and the church,” said Robbi Haynes, of marketing and recruitment for MBCH and Family Ministries,…
Hispanics aim for $1 million Lottie Moon Offering this year
RICHMOND (BP) — Members of Vida Nueva (New Life) Baptist Church know all too well about sacrifice. Many of them are immigrants making low wages. But the congregation of fewer than 100 has found reason to celebrate and to give…
Oldest IMB emeritus missionary dies at 102
RICHMOND (BP) — The International Mission Board's oldest emeritus missionary, Howard McCamey, was honored in a memorial service in Dallas Dec. 5. He died Nov. 26 at age 102. Longtime members of Gaston Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas, Howard and…
Study says churches with WMU stronger supporters of SBC
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Southern Baptist churches that have Woman's Missionary Union organizations support the denomination's missions programs at significantly higher levels than congregations without WMU, according to an analysis of reported church giving. Tensions over several issues surfaced in…