Inspired by the powerful true story, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace children in the foster care system who needed adoptive families, proving that steady, determined love can transform the lives of vulnerable children.
In West Virginia, the issues with foster care are particularly dire, much like they were in Possum Trot, TX. West Virginia leads the nation, on a per capita basis, in both the number of children in foster care and the rate of removal of children from homes. The involvement of the local church is needed now more than ever in the Mountain State.
The good news is that, throughout West Virginia, there are incredible churches, organizations, and advocates working to care for children and families before, during, and beyond foster care. Some of them are working to provide adoptive families for children who need them (like the children in Possum Trot). Some are working to keep biological families together so kids never enter foster care, or to rally around these families as they seek to reunite with their children. Others are stepping up to serve as foster families, providing kids with a safe, temporary home. And others are providing relational and practical support for all of these families—including foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological families—and for former foster youth.
Everyone can do something to make a difference for children and families in foster care.
When the church is finding families for children, rallying around biological families, supporting child welfare professionals, meeting adoptive family’s needs as soon as they arise, and caring for youth who have aged out of foster care, it is living out its true character. And in every stage of foster care—before, during, and beyond—local churches can help lead and provide the relational and practical support vulnerable children and families need.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and based on the vision and unique makeup of your congregation, your church’s engagement in foster care will look different than a church down the street.
And that is a good and beautiful thing. No single church can transform foster care on its own.
It would be a privilege to walk alongside you and your church as you explore how your church is uniquely called and equipped to love our neighbors in foster care. Contact Chestnut Mountain Village today to join the FIGHT for kids in your community!!
Contact us at thevillage@chestnutmountainranch.org, by calling 304 943 7412, or by clicking below.
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