Kirk in the Hills

Christ calls us to His ministry - the Holy Spirit works among us to do God's work. He touches our hearts and we are humbled to serve Him gladly.

How can we learn about foster care and ways that we might reach out to show a foster care child God' s steadfast love?

1. Faith-Based Communities Coalition for Foster Care Children.

Members of the Outreach and Mission committee attend meetings held by the Faith Based Communities Coalition for Foster Care Children under the direction of Rev. Kate Thoresen at the First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. This organization was formed almost 2 years ago and invites people from all congregations and professions with various skills and experiences to share information and ideas on what might be done to reach out to help children in foster care.

2. Several members of our Kirk family have vast experiences and in-depth knowledge about foster care.

3. The Kirk has been a partner in ministry with CARE House in Pontiac for many years.

CARE House - Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County serves the immediate needs of neglected and abused children in our community while also reaching out with advocacy and prevention programs. CARE House is also the organization that supervises the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program for foster care children.

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.  Proverbs 21

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.   Ephesians 6:4

What can we do as Christians to reach out to the children in foster care? Is there hope for these children's future that they can become responsible and self-reliant adults someday?

YES!!! Of course, there is hope! With God at our side and His loving, guiding hand at our backs, all things are possible…

Interestingly, these are a some famous people who were once foster care children who later achieved much success as adults:

*  Art Linkletter - Comedian and author
*  Dave Thomas - Founder of Wendy's, a national chain of fast food restaurants
*  Tom Monaghan - Founder of Domino's Pizza and former owner of the Detroit Tigers 
*  Daunte Culpepper - member of the Detroit Lions NFL Team
*  Alex Chivescu - Oakland County resident who recently began his studies at Harvard

How can we teach children in foster care how much God
loves them when they may have never known or felt His gracious gift of love?

Many children in the foster care system have a list of real and immediate needs that must be fulfilled to become successful in
school and later in life, although their greatest need may be to
know how much Jesus loves them and that He has never forsaken them even in their darkest and scariest moments. We can show His love by getting involved as tutors, mentors, friends and partners in prayer for the children in foster care.

These are ways that you, or the Kirk small group that you belong to, can become involved in the Kirk Foster Care Ministry:

1. A Place of Refuge is a home in Southfield where 3 boys live in a supervised transitional home that is an outreach from the Riverside Church in Detroit. These boys may live at A Place of Refuge for 2 years. During this time they must graduate from high school or earn a GED and learn life skills so that they can become completely independent once they leave A Place of Refuge. Several members of the Outreach and Mission Committee joined the boys and their supervisor for lunch in August.  I can provide a list of items that the boys need such as clothing, hygiene items, furniture for their home and small appliances. They also need tutors to help them with their schoolwork and mentors to help guide them through career decisions and setting goals. They also need someone to teach them basic life skills such as cooking, budgeting and shopping.

2. Help to raise awareness of foster care children and their needs.

3. Sponsor a drive to collect items that children in foster care need. This can be done any time, not just around holidays - the need is always there. The Outreach and Mission Committee can help you with the collection of items and provide a list of recipient organizations. When a child enters foster care, they often leave their home with nothing but the clothes they wear. Filling baskets or canvas bags with soap, books, a fuzzy stuffed animal, etc. is always a welcomed gift for a child entering foster care. There are many agencies that can help to distribute these bags/baskets. Additionally, we are happy to share a list of items that the boys at A Place of Refuge need.

4. Sponsor an event for children in foster care such as a house-warming gathering for the boys at a Place of Refuge or any celebration of a major milestone such as a graduation party.

5. Pray for the children in foster care. Pray for their foster families that invite these children into their homes to be cared for and loved. Pray for all those who reach out to give hope for a better future to children in foster care and pray that we can bring these children to Christ, our Lord and Savior, our Beacon of Light.

Where do we go from here?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.   Proverbs 3:5

Please, join us!

Contact Stephanie Ranney at (248) 539-2990 or by email at smranney@aol.com to learn more about how you can become involved in the Kirk Foster Care Ministry. A group of core leaders will be meeting soon so let Stephanie know if you would like to be a member. Whether your commitment is one hour a month, one hour a week, a donation of food or clothing or your daily prayers - every contribution is greatly appreciated and always welcomed.