New Christian conference on adoption and fostering

Christian adoptive parents in Dorset have got together to host two one-day conferences in the south-west next month on fostering and adoption.

Glynn and Tory Barrow and Steve and Lydia Boorman – who between them have adopted seven children from the Far East – have invited USA-based Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries to explain what it understands as God’s view of adoption and fostering to a UK audience.

Other groups speaking or exhibiting at the event will be CARE’s adoption and fostering team, OASIS (Overseas adoption support and information service), adoption book supplier Academy, experienced adoptive parents and social workers.

Glynn said: “The conference will cover what we believe to be the Lord’s heart for children and adoption/fostering – and it will help interested people to explore options and choose what might be right for them.

“It will highlight a wealth of long-term resources to assist parents in raising adopted or fostered children. We want to help people understand the processes and issues they face and at the same time give them a vision for ministry to all the world’s hurting children.”

The Kingdom Kids Adoption Conference is ideal for couples thinking about adopting or foster parenting and for existing adoptive or foster parents – and also for people and church leaders interested in supporting them.

Workshops will include:
- the biblical basis
- how to get started
- the reluctant spouse
- blending biological and adopted children
- adopting physically-challenged children
- attachment issues
- adoption and fostering as a ministry
- the home study process
- financing international adoption.

Steve said: “We have learned that the Lord brings the right child to the right family and there is a wealth of support available in the UK from other adopters, from the medical profession and from medical and adoption support groups.

“Now our house is nearly full and we continue to hear of children needing families, our desire is to encourage other believers to make a similar step of faith – for families, with or without existing children, to prayerfully consider adding a child to their family.”

And Steve, Lydia, Glynn and Tory would like churches to take adoption and fostering more seriously – and even to see adoption as one of its ministries.

Lydia said: “Churches could support by providing opportunities for members to hear about adoption/fostering, give support for interested families, then cover each adoption progress with prayer – and perhaps provide financial support.”

• The conferences cost just £15 per individual. They take place at Alder Road Baptist Church, Poole on October 9 and at Winchester Family Church on October 16. You can register online at www.kkadoption.com or telephone 01305 860991.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.