ONEfamily
God has always had a “tender spot” in His heart for orphans. In fact, He calls himself a “father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5). The Bible calls Christians to care for orphans, to “vindicate the weak and fatherless” (Psalm 82:3) and “visit them in their distress” (James 1:27). ONEfamily is an initiative of Frazer to expand our response to that calling.
One way we respond is by supporting orphanages, children’s homes, child sponsorship agencies, and similar ministries that provide aide to orphans. For example, recently Frazer has supported the United Methodist Children’s Home, Visiting Orphans, and Stella’s Houses in Moldova. Many of our members sponsor children through Compassion International or World Vision.
Now, there is a growing movement throughout the worldwide church to supplement these forms of orphan care with an even more radical response: bringing orphans into our very homes and families through adoption, foster care, and support teams.
Adoption
Adoption Bringing a child permanently into your family is a big decision; at least as big as having a child biologically. There are financial, legal, and relationship issues to consider. However, scores of Frazer families have sought the Lord and followed His guidance to adopt, both internationally and domestically, and found that the rewards are incalculable. ONEfamily will partner with an experienced private Christian adoption agency to help our members along the journey of discovering if adoption may be right for their family.
Foster Care
Foster care Providing a temporary home to a child during a difficult time in life has its own set of challenges, but it is hard to imagine a way to minister to children that could have more impact than life-on-life investment in your own home. OneFamily will work with Montgomery County DHR to provide training for those exploring becoming foster families.
Support for Families
Support For some families, the right move is not to bring a child into their own home, but rather to provide “reinforcements” to other families who are adopting or fostering, whether in informal ways like helping with a birthday party or doing laundry, or formally by becoming qualified to give “respite care” (short term childcare assistance for foster children). ONEfamily will coordinate support teams and offer respite care training with DHR.
Check out the ONEfamily blog at www.frazeronefamily.blogspot.com
If you are interested in learning more about how you can become involved in the ONEfamily initiative, contact coordinator Leslie Word at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call the Discipleship Office at 334.495.6391
