November is National Adoption Month. Through the next few weeks we will be sharing resources, stories and insights from our adoption team and other partner organizations. As we talk about the different facets of adoption, please join us in prayer for families who are considering adoption. Through well-researched information and the support of the local church, we pray that many more vulnerable children will be brought into a loving family through adoption!
Let’s take a look at the broad adoption picture:
Who is adopting?
According to Barna Frames: Becoming Home, practicing Christians are more than twice as likely as the general population to adopt and significantly more likely to consider adoption or fostering. That being said, while nearly two in five practicing Christians have considered adoption, only 5% have actually done it.
Barna Group (2014) “Used by permission.”
How can I get started?
If you are considering adoption, no doubt the stats above have crossed your mind. How can we afford this? Where do we even begin? What if we get in over our heads with a special needs child?
If these questions sound familiar, I’d encourage you to check out our Adoption Resources Program. Our adoption team, Jen Schwartz and Jenny Bertsch, have over 20 years of combined experience in the adoption field. Their extensive research, networks both internationally and domestically are here to help you navigate the beginning stages of the adoption journey. If you have any questions as you even consider starting the adoption process, they are more than willing to help. Start here.
What if I’m not adopting, but want to get involved?
There are many ways you can support adoptive families in your community. Check out these great articles for some ways to get started:
- 10 Ways to Support New Adoptive Families – adoption.com
- 3 Ways to Support Adoptive Families – Show Hope
- Adoptive Families Need Help – thrivingfamily.com
We’d love to hear from you! Share your adoption story or how you’ve supported adoptive families yourself! What has your experience been?