Leading Families of First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama, to Participate in Orphan Care Through Foster Care and Adoption

Abstract

Marshall S. Henderson, DMin.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Anthony W. Foster

This project was designed to lead families in First Baptist Church of For Payne, Alabama (FBCFP), to participate in orphan care through local foster care and adoption. The leadership process began by assessing how members of FBCFP understood their theological role and responsibility in caring for orphans. Next, church members were equipped for caring for orphans through a five-week teaching series. At the end of the series, church members were given “next steps” for either becoming foster or adoptive parents or for ministering to the families who become foster or adoptive families.

Chapter 1 introduces the ministry context of FBCFP, along with the rationale, purpose, goals, research methodologies, definitions, and delimitations of the project. Chapter 2 provides a biblical and theological foundation for orphan care ministry. Chapter 3 provides a practical and theoretical basis for church-based orphan care ministries. Chapter 4 describes the development and implementation of the project. Chapter 5 provides evaluation of the project and its goals, suggestions for improvements, and further reflection.