Editorial

A few weeks ago, my parents retired from full-time Christian work after many years of ministry and they’re moving to Florida (of course!). Thinking about their retirement has caused me to remember all that they have done to serve not only the churches in which they have ministered, but also myself and their six other children.

I will always believe that one of the greatest blessings the Lord has given me was Floyd and Ann Smith as my parents. Like their son, they were not perfect parents. But among the things I never doubted was their love for me and, as importantly, for the Lord. I pray that Linda and I will leave the legacy for our children that my parents left with me and my siblings.

Legacy. It’s an appropriate word to use when also thinking about the work of our Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. As FBCH celebrates its centennial this year, Florida Baptists need to be reminded of the century of caring our agency has given children in Florida. Because many children do not have the blessings that I have enjoyed by having good, Christian parents, FBCH stands in the gap for hundreds of children in the Sunshine State – offering the best care possible to those in need.

For 100 years, Florida Baptist Children’s Homes has served more than 23,000 children without discrimination and based solely on need. Children are helped in seven campuses from Pensacola to Miami with both their physical and spiritual needs through the ministry of Christian caregivers.

Last year alone, nearly 800 children and developmentally challenged adults were shown the love of Christ and given shelter in the midst of crises. Further, FBCH has a network of foster homes throughout the Sunshine State and provides adoption services, maternity care counseling, continuing education, follow-up care, developmental disabilities care and referrals.

One of the most exciting ways FBCH helps children is through its Sanctity of Human Life emphasis – where children are truly given life. Through this ministry, the Children’s Homes helps churches minister to women in crisis pregnancies, urging them to allow their unborn children to live by rejecting the false and harmful “solutions” the purveyors of the Culture of Death promulgate at abortion clinics. Last year, four new pregnancy care centers were opened with the assistance of FBCH.

My children have not known the needs experienced by the children under the care of FBCH. Perhaps, however, your childhood experience was not as blessed. If so, you would know better than others how important it is to serve the needs of children.

All of us, then, should understand and value the critically important role Florida Baptist Children’s Homes serves the little ones of our state.

Because the Children’s Homes is a ministry of the Florida Baptist State Convention operating under a board of trustees elected by Florida Baptists, you can be certain that FBCH is managed with the highest integrity.

Like most ministries, Florida Baptist Children’s Homes operates by virtue of the financial support of benefactors and churches. Because FBCH is an agency of the Florida Baptist State Convention, a major source of funding for the Homes is the Cooperative Program. Another key stream of funding comes through the annual Mother’s Day Offering. For its centennial anniversary, the Children’s Homes hopes to raise $1.5 million through the offering, representing more than 13 percent of the ministry’s annual budget.

Every Florida Baptist has a role to play in meeting the financial needs of the Children’s Homes. Every church can set aside time for prayer for its ministry. Every Florida Baptist can give to support this critical ministry.

Especially in this centennial year, Florida Baptists should show our gratitude and support for the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes in more than words, but in tangible ways – both with our prayers and financial support. Please give generously to the Mother’s Day Offering this year.