Who We Are In 2009 a small group of adoptive families from Fellowship Baptist Church in Mt. Laurel, NJ, began meeting. Although there were many adoptive families at FBC, and many of us enjoyed friendships, we felt the need to connect in a more intentional way. Desiring a safe community in which to share the joys and struggles unique to our families, we formed an adoption and foster care support group. Our meetings allowed our adopted children to connect with their peers, and it allowed parents to share honestly. We wanted more. We wanted the miracle of adoption to reach beyond our families. We wanted it to reach the church. And so, Precious In His Sight was born. James 1:27 states, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” God’s heart is revealed throughout scripture, as he is “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,” “the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort.” And we are his body. As such, we are told to “defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4. Our purpose is simple, yet not easy. We want to support families in all stages of their adoption and foster journeys. We want to encourage families to grow in this way. But our overarching vision is to engage the church, even those who are not called to adopt or foster, to defend the orphan. This may take many shapes and forms, including giving, praying, supporting orphanages or families overseas, going on missions trips, or lending practical help to local adoptive families. The opportunities are endless.
What We’re Up To Currently, we are excited about several things we have going on! On August 30th, we had the opportunity to share the FBC facility with some special children in foster care. Seventeen children, elementary through high school ages, enjoyed an afternoon playing in the gym, eating pizza, and participating in a “photo shoot.” The photos of the children will be used to make profiles, with the hope that the promotion of the profiles will lead to their adoption into a forever family. Three professional photographers volunteered their time and skills to make this happen. We were thrilled to be able to help in such a simple way—sharing our building, providing a meal, and offering our smiles and encouragement. In partnership with Bethany Christian Services, we are planning the Adoption and Orphan Care Conference to be held on October 2nd, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Mt. Laurel. Many speakers, including adoption authorities from around the country, will share their knowledge and expertise in areas such as the “how-to’s” of adoption, attachment, transracial adoption, single parent adoption, adopting an older child, adopting after infertility, financing adoption, starting or supporting an adoption ministry in your church, and many more. Click here for more info. On September 18th, Fellowship Baptist Church will house a transracial training event hosted by Bethany Christian Services. This event is not limited to Bethany families. Highlights of the event include cultural issues, skin and hair care, and panel discussions. Click here for more details. Our next Adoptive and Foster Family event is a picnic at Freedom Park in Medford, on September 26th. Adoptive and foster families are welcome, as well as those who are considering either of these possibilities for their own families. For details, click here. After Christmas, we will begin a 7-week class for adoptive and foster parents, based on the Healing Families DVD series by Dr. Karyn Purvis, the Director of the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. For more details, click here. At Precious In His Sight, we are excited about the doors that
God will continue to open as we follow his lead for this ministry. Join with us as we “comfort those in any
trouble, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Precious In His Sight, Inc. is not a licensed adoption agency and does not provide adoption services or any other social services. |
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About Us |