Editorial

If we were to be honest with ourselves, we all would have to admit that there are times in our lives when we wonder if we are making a difference. Does what we do on a day-to-day basis have eternal consequences that matter in the Kingdom of God? What is the legacy that will remain when we leave this world?

These questions can be answered in many ways. How we love our spouses, raise our children, serve the Lord in our churches, minister to our neighbors and reach out to strangers will be parts of the legacy of we leave behind. Of course, in the Kingdom of God, only those things of eternal value—how we touch the souls of human beings—will ultimately matter (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

As we approach Mother's Day, ponder briefly the legacy of your mother and consider the role you may play in helping disadvantaged and spiritually lost children who are cared for by the Florida Baptist Children's Homes.

My mother's legacy will certainly be one in which the care of her children—both temporal and spiritual—was of primary importance. My wife's legacy as a mother will also show these qualities. Tragically, many children in our society cannot say the same. These are the kids that our Children's Homes minister to in seven facilities around the Sunshine State.

Last year, 649 abused, neglected and forgotten children were ministered to through FBCH. Adding to that, 195 developmentally needy young adults, maternity clients and other adults were served through campuses and social work offices across the state in Miami, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Cantonment, Plantation, Gainesville and Milton. That's 844 lives touched by the ministry of FBCH.

In recent years there has been much said in Washington and Tallahassee about faith-based organizations. FBCH is a faith-based organization in every sense of the phrase. Meeting the physical and emotional needs of children is coupled with ministering to their spiritual needs. Christian house parents and social workers take the kids to church and tell them about the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Last year alone, 44 children made Christian commitments.

Those decisions among the children to follow Christ are a direct legacy of the thousands of Florida Baptists who have contributed financially and spiritually to the work of the Children's Homes. Now, that's a legacy!

And speaking of legacies, Jimmy McAdams, the recently retired president of FBCH, made a significant difference throughout his years of service to children and families on behalf of Florida Baptists. Although I'm certain McAdams would rather that I not bring attention to him, Florida Baptists should cheerfully, generously and fully support this year's Mother's Day Offering as one means of honoring him for his legacy of ministry.

The goal for this year's Mother's Day Offering is $1.3 million, and follows two successive years in which the offering goal has been met. This offering is a key component in the FBCH's annual funding, representing 13 percent of the ministry's annual budget. (You can learn more about FBCH by visiting its Web site: www.FBCHomes.org.)

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.

Let's all do what we can assist the Florida Baptist Children's Homes minister to children this year. Doing so will result in a legacy that will stand the test of time.