A timely letter refreshing my soul!

Baptist Children’s Homes in Alabama

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

A timely letter arrived today in my office.  I say timely because this month we are celebrating the work of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries here at Rockford Church and this week is the annual Camp of Champions at Shocco Springs in Talladega, Alabama.

For us June is the month we dedicate to taking a special offering for the work of the ABCH&FM.  Some churches in the state take an offering on Mother’s Day, while others give a one-time gift or designate a small line item for the cause.

We did the same thing for years.  Each year we would give an allotted amount from the unified budget, albeit small token, because we knew that the children’s homes belonged to us and we wanted to give something, anything, to help them with their work.  We felt good about it until…

My heart has always been big toward the children’s homes in Alabama.  The ties I have trace back to the first homes in Troy, where Dr. Hobson Shirey was Superintendent from 1955 to 1975.  Hobson was a native of Fort Payne, served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, taught school at DeKalb County and Talladega, and was a principal of Winterboro High and DeKalb County High.  His place in the history of Alabama Baptist is his leadership of the children’s home, manager of the Shocco Springs Baptist Assembly and Alabama Baptist Brotherhood Secretary.

His brother Doyle Shirey was a dear friend, who invited me to do a revival for him at Nazareth Baptist in Rainsville when I was still in high school.  He introduced me to his brother and for years we spent time talking, visiting and I gleaned more from them than from anyone.  As for Alabama Baptist, it was Hobson Shirey who humbly taught me what it meant to be a true Southern Baptist, a minister of the gospel and a warrior for the work of supporting our children.

Through the years of ministry in churches in Alabama, the children’s home was always a top priority.  Serving on the State Board of Missions gave me greater insight into the work and needs of the homes.  Looking through the budget each year, I would always find myself drawn to the work for the children.  Each year we allot a small amount, enough to carry them through the first two or three weeks.  This is the reason the ABCH&FM are given the permission and blessing of the Convention to go to the churches and to individuals, as well as businesses to raise the bulk of the money they need to support themselves through the year.

This was something that troubled me.  Yet I have learned that Alabama Baptist have a desire to champion the cause and support this great work. 

In the early days of the 21^st Century I met and became fast friends with Steve Sellers.  Steve’s gentle spirit, loving kindness, prayers and wonderful sense of humor became a staple for life.  As we would spend time talking I learned more and more about the place of the ABCH&FM among our Baptist churches in the state.  It is a joy to share the concerns, prayer needs and support of such a fine friend and feel somewhat connected to the daily work.

Therefore, you can see why my heart is so touched by the work of this great ministry of our church and why I am so “warrior like” regarding support for our ABCH&FM.

This is the reason we do what we do each year at Rockford.  A few years ago someone stepped forward and proposed that whatever we can raise during the month of June should be our support and not to worry about a set amount in the budget.

With Ran Wilson, who is an Ambassador for the ABCH&FM, at the head of the march, we have seen improvements to our giving each year.  We take a small offering each Sunday, with the children filling two buckets with change from the adults.  Our Vacation Bible School offering is designated for the children’s homes.  There is a Sunday School class of adult ladies who give a special offering during the month.  Yes, of course, we have those who give above and beyond the tithe for the Children’s Homes.

We feel it is important!  We feel that it is vital!  We want to help our homes be successful!

This is why the letter which arrived today is so timely.  Rod Marshall, the President/CEO of the ABCH&FM, wrote regarding the great things going on in the first six months:

·       In Dothan, a home was donated to further the ministry in the Wiregrass area.

·       The Mobile Family Care Homes house for homeless mothers and their children was sold.  Last year there were 119 referrals with only 14 being served; therefore the sale of this property will open the door for a new Family Care Home in Mobile which will serve even more families.

·       Eight foster families were trained in Madison and seven in Jasper.  This allows for an expansion of foster care ministry in Decatur and Walker County.

·       There is rapid growth of the foster ministry across the state.  In 2011, 156 children were served through foster care; in 2012, 209 were served; in 2013, 261 children were served through the foster ministry of the ABCH&FM.

·       Growth continues to take place through the counseling ministry, with locations throughout the state.

·       Three children graduated from high school in May and will be attending college, with the children’s home helping with educational expenses and continuing to be family for them.

·       There was a 1% increase in individual gifts during the first six months.

·       Camp of Champions was held this week with a record number of campers-over 650!

How wonderful it is to be a part of such exciting times!

It was a breath of fresh air to read Rod’s letter and reflect on the joy of sharing Jesus with these precious souls.  Each Sunday, this month, we have been focusing on a special number and reminding the children in VBS of the same number.  It is the number 6,400!  That is the number of children in foster care; individuals we are reaching with the love, grace and mercy of Jesus.  How wonderful!

Yet, this ministry continues to need workers and money, regularly.  Rod writes:

“In the first five months of 2014, our Birmingham foster care program was only able to accept 15% of the church referred to us because all of our Christian foster homes were full.  There is a great need for more Christian foster homes…Though giving is up over the same period last year, it is not nearly keeping up with our rate of growth.”

From the ABCH&FM web page, I found these gems:

“Many changes have occurred during our history, but the core commitment to love children and youth and to bring them to know Jesus Christ has never changed. Today, we proudly continue our legacy as a ministry that ‘protects, nurtures, and restores children and families through Christ-centered services.’”

A ministry which is well led and God honoring to secure the future today!  I am so thankful to be an Alabama Baptist and to have as a ministry of the Rockford Baptist Church the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries.

My challenge to you is that you would be moved to inspire your church and enlighten them as to the great work of Alabama Baptist.  Do something special for the Children’s Homes.  There are a number of ways you can be involved, but the best of all is to give “folding money” so they may be able to serve the least of those among us.

If you need any information, feel free to contact me at 256-377-4900 or by email at rbccoosa@gmail.com.  You may also go to the website at www.alabamachild.org and find resources, speakers and more information to educate and assist in becoming a warrior for children in Alabama.

 

“...let the Baptists know what you’ve got and they’ll do the rest.”

- ABCH Founder Rev. John W. Stewart (1890)

Rockford Baptist Church, Rockford, Alabama