The Church and Fostering

Have you ever tried to imagine a world where children are loved and valued? One where vulnerable children are placed in homes where they can be loved and nurtured. A foster family with a peaceful home, where every child feels safe because they have parents who protect them and care for them. Or how about one where society prospers because of strong families? This is not fairytale dream, but rather God’s plan for the church.

As followers of Jesus we are called to bring the kingdom of heaven on this earth. The scriptures offer some clear guidance in these areas: Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), man was created to rule over the earth (Gen 1:26-28) and live as God’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). As we are created in the image of God, we have a creative and restorative task in this world. Reconciling every vulnerable child to God our Father, is where fostering comes alive.

South Africa, a nation with millions of vulnerable children, needs the church to run with the idea of caring for vulnerable children. There are many studies that affirm the idea of placing a child in a family instead of an institution. Regardless of one’s position on church and society, playing a role in the fostering movement is the best place to start, how about doing one of the following:

• Make contact and/or register with your local Designated Child Protection Agency
• Get your police clearance in place
• Go through the screening process with the relevant social worker in your area
• Find a foster family and ask them how you can help.
• Start a fostering focus group at your church

This blog comes from an article written by The World Needs a Father called Fostering is a mark of the church truly alive. They are one of our partner organisations focussing on the role of fathers in the family and society. Download the full article here.