Welcome is in our DNA

“We want to be a part of what God is doing, placing the lonely in families,” says Tim Nelson, associate pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Tim and children’s pastor Angela Douglass share how biblical teaching about hospitality guide how they structure their ministries, so foster families and children in foster care feel welcome.

One specific way they do this is by talking to kids about what foster care is and helping them think about ways they can be a kind friend to a child in their church, school, or neighborhood who is in care. In addition to providing children’s ministry volunteers with trauma training, the church has invited Bethany staff to speak with their kids about what foster care is and answer their questions in an age-appropriate way.

“The Bible calls us to care for the most vulnerable,” says Angela. “Church ministries should be making it evident that all are welcome and cared for—including foster families.”