7 Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month!
As the Church, we should be stirred by God’s heart for adoption. Let’s not forget that we ourselves are an adopted family of brothers and sisters! We were once estranged, but now we are adopted into God’s family.
This should have pretty big implications on how we view earthly adoption. We believe each member of God’s family is called to participate. And yes, there are ways you can participate that don’t involve adopting.
Here are some ways you can celebrate this month!
1. Learn.
Everyone has to start somewhere. If you don’t know much about adoption in our country, take some time this month to learn. Here are some facts to get you thinking.
Adoption is rare. In 2011–2015, less than one percent of women aged 18–44 in the U.S. had ever adopted a child (1).
In 2019, there were 1,934 children in foster care waiting to be adopted in Virginia and 122,637 nationwide (2).
On average, a child will wait three years in foster care awaiting adoption. About 55 percent of these children have had three or more placements with foster care families, and 33 percent had changed elementary schools five or more times (1).
2. Listen.
Don’t stop after a few facts. Listening to stories is a great way to come closer to the world of adoption. Put on one of these podcasts during your next commute or road trip.
3. Share your story.
If you have been impacted by adoption, engaging your story is a worthwhile endeavor and can be a powerful tool for God’s kingdom.
Start a conversation with friends or family who may want to consider adoption. Or if you would like to share your story with Project Belong to encourage the church, reach out! We would love to hear from you.
4. Offer practical support.
Do you know someone who has recently adopted? Offer to help in some way. Arrange a meal calendar, mow their lawn, offer to babysit, or do a load of laundry. These simple tasks can go a long way. Would a team of people from your church be interested in serving an adoptive family together?
But here’s one piece of advice: Be intentional and specific.
DON’T send a generic text message telling the parents that you are “available to help whenever.” This places the burden on them to respond to your text.
Instead, offer specific help at a specific time. Get it on the calendar right away. Put a plan in place and act on it right away!
5. Offer spiritual support.
Help doesn’t stop at physical needs. Maybe your gifts present themselves by sitting with tired or hurting parents or children and listening to them. You can offer prayer, encouragement, or just a lending ear.
6. Engage your church.
Are you itching for your church to do more? You can be the pebble that causes the avalanche to start. That might be starting a book club to engage interest. Or it could be meeting with your church leaders to ask them what plans they have, if any, to support vulnerable children through adoption.
Project Belong’s mission is to equip the church to serve vulnerable children. Reach out and we can guide your next steps!
7. Consider.
What’s stopping you from taking the next step? What if God would use you and your family to welcome in a child who is waiting for a home?
