By Ryan Ropp, LCSW, ABCFM Director of Connected Families
“God in His holy dwelling is a father to the fatherless and a champion of widows. God provides homes for those who are deserted.” – Psalm 68:5–6
“Watch to see where God is working and join Him in His work.” – Henry Blackaby
What if I told you there’s a place where God is always at work—and you can join Him? Would you be bold enough to step into that work?
Most of us are familiar with this quote from Henry Blackaby and are drawn to the challenge it offers: to join God where He is already moving. God is working in the lives of the fatherless and the widow. He’s moving in the brokenness of families who have been deserted. He is present with those who are longing for family. I promise you—God is at work in the most difficult corners of Arkansas, in the lives of children and families who are often, and sometimes even intentionally, overlooked by our communities. God works there.
He is working in the life of the grandmother who is unexpectedly caring for her two grandchildren.
He is working in the life of the 20-year-old sister stepping up to raise her 16-year-old brother so he can stay with family.
He is working in the life of the young mother choosing to parent through uncertainty, after being met with grace and support by our staff and the church.
He is working in the adoption of a medically fragile baby girl who spent 580 days in our care.
He is working in the reunification of siblings with parents who have found sobriety—and Jesus—after two years of walking with our team.
Connected Families exists to see where God is working in these stories—and to join Him every day through foster care, adoption, and family services.
“There may be no clearer sign of our society’s need for Jesus than the brokenness we see in so many families today. God created the family to be a place of safety, love, and nurturing—a reflection of His unconditional love for us. But the reality is, many of the families and children we encounter are deeply hurting. Some are navigating unimaginable trauma, including all forms of abuse.
At ABCFM, we are committed to being a source of hope and healing. Through our professional services, we work to restore families and help them move toward wholeness. Our dedicated frontline staff tirelessly remind children that they are valuable, loved, and worthy of care. We are also blessed with incredible volunteer families who open their homes to children who come to them scared, anxious, and sometimes even terrified.
Together, we are showing these children what it means to be seen, loved, and safe—this is where God is at work.” ~Ritchie McFarland, ABCFM Director of Placement
Will you consider joining Him—and us—in His work? Start today at abcfm.org/info.