The energy at the Assemblies of God General Council 2025 was high. In our “backyard” booth, we had the privilege of gathering around patio furniture with hundreds of pastors and church leaders and, if we’re being honest, having a little fun along the way.
One special friend who stopped by was a young boy in foster care. He was a little guy with a big story, and his trauma showed up in some challenging behaviors. His mother, a church leader, vulnerably shared how heavy this season had been. They were overwhelmed and exhausted. But God led her to our booth at just the right moment. While her son gleefully hit golf balls, our team was able to listen, encourage, and remind her she wasn’t alone. This brief encounter was a powerful reminder that foster and adoptive families need more than a calling. They need the steady support of the local church through prayer and practical care. When churches step in this way, families can remain where God has called them, and children can experience safety, love, and healing.
Alongside moments of encouragement, we also had the opportunity to engage more than 200 church leaders who are ready to take their next step in orphan care! Over the next couple of years, these relationships hold the potential for 120 new foster and adoptive families, and as many as 240 children cared for each year. Every connection matters because children matter. The Church is full of people who care deeply about orphan care; what many are missing is a clear pathway forward.