LifePoint Church celebrated orphan care this past Sunday. The day was a powerful time of glory in worship, proclamation, celebration and testimony as the Spirit was very strong in our services. A hundred and twenty people attended a luncheon immediately following services that included more testimonies, a panel discussion, and a time of Q & A. The day ended in Community Group by sharing and asking more questions on how we can encourage and better engage orphan care.
The day was one of overwhelming joy to the Lord, as I was frequently overcome with tears by all that was taking place.
Allow me to share a few highlights and reflections for your encouragement as well.
Dr. Todd Chipman preached a powerful message from Luke 14:1-14. Upon expounding the text he offered this poignant statement, “But the Kingdom of God is different. We demonstrate our participation in the Kingdom by our social activity.” He pointed to three benefits for the local church of engaging in orphan care ministry; the theological benefit of thinking more deeply of God, the benefit of engaging people to broaden ministry, and the societal benefit, how the church impacts the culture at large for good, like confronting sex trafficking, through this ministry. These are three of the six benefits he identifies in his recent book, Until Every Child is Home: Why The Church Can and Must Care for Orphans. I strongly commend this great resource to you and your church. You can find it here.
Dustin and Gina Tompkins, LifePoint Covenant Members, shared their present adoption testimony. I was awestruck by God’s power shared in so many ways through their testimony. Their adoption journey glorifies God by addressing the struggle of infertility, the joy of childbearing, and a decisive choice to value human life in their son who they learned would not live long outside the womb but chose to carry to term anyway. Then, Dustin shared their intentional decision to build “margin” in their life to know and do God’s Will. With powerful vulnerability he spoke of dealing with the shame and guilt often experienced in the decision to adopt. Then, they shared wisdom in the way they are praying for their son. You MUST take 10 minutes to hear the Tompkins adoption testimony and SHARE IT!
Matt and Rachel Burch hosted the luncheon panel. They began by sharing their own adoption testimony with refreshing vulnerability and honesty. The Tompkins provided more detail and insight into their journey, even to leaving in the next couple of weeks to bring their son home. Finally, the Black family shared their journey from zero to five children by fostering to adopt a sibling group. You can follow along as they vlog their journey at www.wearezero2five.com.
I began to record the impact of orphan care among LifePoint. (I hope I have not missed anyone.) By God’s grace, LifePoint has been deeply and powerfully impacted by orphan care. We have more than a dozen families engaged in some form of orphan care, totaling 25 children. Even more amazing is the diversity within these families. The range of orphan care includes adoptions that are international (5 countries), Native American, domestic, foster to adopt, and embryo. At the end of the day a family shared with me that they will begin foster care training classes this Spring. Their goal is not adoption, but to serve as a “help” in the lives of children and families. I count that as a sixth dimension to our orphan care diversity. My response was a resounding “YES! Jesus, do this more!”
Adoption for my wife and me is deeply personal. The Lord built our family by adoption. We have adopted twice internationally from different countries. Adoption has been a work of God for which we are eternally changed and grateful. After we adopted our daughter, our second, we sought the Lord’s will on two more occasions. Both times the Lord made it very clear that we were not to move forward. But He has never removed the burden. After our last time of seeking it became clear that our priority would be to expand and multiply orphan care among LifePoint. Prioritizing, promoting, encouraging, and being a catalyst for orphan care remains a significant part of our influence as a family, testimony and leader among LifePoint. We are committed that this be a priority, not a project. As long as the Lord allows us to serve,
LifePoint will labor for children and families through orphan care with a strong and readied “YES! Jesus, do this more and more!”
Considering orphan care and want to talk to someone? Let LifePoint help and encourage you! Contact us at info@lifepointozark.com or by calling the LifePoint Office at (417) 581-6572. We would be honored to serve and help any way we can.
Want to INVEST to help others with Orphan care? Give to LifePoint’s Orphan Care account and strengthen our resources to help families and children, and make an impact through orphan Care.
- Go to https://give.egive-usa.com/App/Giving/lpc.
- Choose “Orphan Care” in the drop down menu.
- Complete your investment. And, thank you!