Foster Care & Adoption Ministry

Foster and adoptive parent training:

We have had two groups of seven families each complete the GPS (Group Preparation and Selection) class required to become foster and adoptive families.  These classes are ten weeks long and are taught by the Department of Human Resources.  In an innovative program, DHR employees came to our church to conduct the classes; this has been a more convenient and comfortable environment.  These classes help prepare us to foster and adopt these children as well as provides cohesive and supportive friendships with our classmates so that we can help each other with the hurdles and share the joys of fostering and adopting.

Small group support:

Having gone through GPS together, we can lean on each other for support, encouragement, information and wisdom.  We get together socially throughout the year and we stay in touch through phone calls, emails and at church.  We also have opportunities to continue learning together through attending classes provided by Alabama Post Adoption Connections and other resources.

Impact on community:

Our first GPS class graduated seven families.  This increased the foster family capacity of Shelby County (who taught the class) by 17.5%!  Jefferson County, who taught our second class, has a larger foster family base as well as a larger need.  The seven families that graduated through them increased the capacity by almost 3%.  While this number is far less stunning than the Shelby number, we are beginning to work with other churches to have a bigger impact on the Jefferson County numbers over time.  It is our prayer that the body of Christ will rise up and answer the call of God in James 1:27 to care for widows and orphans in their distress. 

Coordinators:

Charity Havercroft and John and Stacie Gates work together on this part of the ministry.