Adoption and Fostering
WE LOVE ADOPTION AND FOSTERING...
Del Rey Church is very passionate about our calling to care for orphans. In James 1:27 we are instructed by God that “pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress…”
The best way to care for an orphan (as well as a widow) is to give them a home and a loving family. Because of this, Del Rey Church is a passionate advocate for fostering and adoption. We have relationship with three organizations that are in the field rescuing the orphaned. We recommend to you:
AMERICA WORLD ADOPTION
http://www.awaa.org
America World Adoption is a charitable Christian-based organization, dedicated to building families according to God's design of adoption. This is a great organization for international private adoptions. (We have a family in our church who has adopted internationally through AWA and we host information nights for them – we love AWA!)
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
http://www.bethany.org
Bethany Christian Services is a wonderful organization that helps pregnant mothers place children into good families. This is a great organization for local and national private adoptions. (Pastor Matt has adopted through this agency and personally recommends it)
KOINONIA FAMILY SERVICES
http://www.kfh.org
Koinonia Family Services is a premier foster and adoption agency with over 29 years of experience with offices throughout California and over 80,000 children waiting for good foster and adoptive homes, the need is tremendous. This is a great organization for public fostering and adoptions. (Pastor Matt and Pastor Mike have fostered children through this agency and personally recommends it)
At Del Rey Church we take great joy in our God. In Scripture we are taught of His love for us. The Bible tells us about how God has adopted us into His family by the work of Jesus Christ. Because the Father adopted us through the work of His Son, we feel called to be a community that models what He has done for us by reaching out to the orphaned and reenacting His grace by fostering and adopting. Of course, not everyone in our church is able to foster or adopt, for some are not yet married, some do not have a home, some have major emotional brokenness or moral failings, some are physical unable due to injuries, and some have certain life circumstances that prevent it. In such cases, we still encourage everyone to be a part of fostering and adopting in our community.
EVERYONE CAN HELP IN THE MISSION OF ADOPTION…
While a person may not be able to personally adopt or foster, they can still give money to help those who are and give energy to help those who are. So, if you would like to give, just let us know. You can give personally to families in the church who are fostering and adopting or you could direct your gifts to the above charities mentioned. If you have time, you could volunteer for these charities or volunteer to help an adoptive/foster family in our church.
We understand that there are lots of great organizations out there doing work to help the orphaned. Our list of 3 is not a minimization of other groups, it is simply our way of being strategic with limited resources and time. If you want to help or give, then we encourage you to do so with one of these groups. We would spread ourselves to thin trying to support every charity and at the end of the day, time is wasting, kids need help, so just do something sooner than later.
In adittion to adopting and fostering, there are other fronts that are vital to the care of orphans, specifically work directed toward helping pregnant women and work aimed at helping children exiting the fostering system. This is the before and after of fostering. Because this is so vital, we recommend that you consider lending a hand and/or making a donation to help:
Westside Pregnancy Clinic
http://www.wpclinic.org/
The Westside Pregnancy Clinic (WPC) was established in 1977 as a counseling and support center with the purpose of bringing resources to those wanting to make informed decisions regarding unexpected pregnancies.The WPC operates as a non-profit, community-based organization run completely by private donations and, in recent years, small grants. The clinic is located in West Los Angeles, California, and primarily serves clients from Los Angeles and surrounding areas; however, internet services reach more than 165 countries. All services are complimentary.
NextSteps
http://www.nextstepsla.org
NextSteps is a ministry that provides assistance and mentoring for teens in foster care and existing the foster care system. The director of NextSteps is April Warfield, and she has an amazing passion for helping kids in our city. If you would like to volunteer or give, just let us know and we'll get you in contect with her and the NextSteps crew.
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD:
In you the orphan finds mercy.
Hosea 14:3
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27
Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.
Exodus 22:22-23
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:14-16
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-6
You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.
Psalms 10:14,17-18
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.
Deuteronomy 24:19
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9