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FOSTERING LOVE
We exist to provide loving homes, resources and support for orphaned children in order to model God's love for them to a watching world.
It is the vision of Redeemer Bible Church to see our families open their homes and hearts to orphans in sacrificial ways that model the love of Christ to our neighbors and lead to a Gospel-growing impact on everyone who is touched by this ministry.
We desire to see children rescued from abuse, abandonment and hopelessness and brought into homes where they can experience the love and compassion of Jesus Christ through his followers. We long to see church members working collectively to this end, bearing each other’s burdens in ways that foster genuine fellowship and meaningful relationships.
We will carefully and intentionally leverage our abilities and resources towards the needs that currently exist for orphans locally and globally. And at every opportunity, we will demonstrate and speak the gospel of Jesus Christ in our persistent efforts to care for the ‘least of these’ in ways that glorify God and grow our faith and dependence on Him in all that we do.
The Pennington Family
Redeemer members, Ben & Trish Pennington, have already adopted one child (Abraham) from India. They are now waiting on another adoption from the same nation. We love their desire to give these kids a forever home. An undertaking like this, though, is a heavy financial lift, and we want to help them. Yes, with prayers and encouragement, but with tangible help as well.
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How to Help
1. Give to Redeemer’s Orphan Care Fund
Give online: Visit our Online Giving portal and select Orphan Care from the dropdown.
Give by check, made out to Redeemer Bible Church, with “Redeemer Orphan Care,” written in the memo line. (Please write exactly that)
100% of these funds go to support orphan care (adoptions, foster needs).
2. Give directly to the Pennington family.
If you’d like to know with certainty that your gift is going to this family to meet this need, give a gift directly to Ben or Trisha.
How to get Involved
Foster Care, By opening our hearts and homes to children in need, we embody Christ’s love and fulfill His call to protect and nurture those who are most vulnerable. It’s a tangible way to live out our faith and be a beacon of hope to children who need to experience God’s unconditional love and care.
By offering help, encouragement, and resources, by being a link from other families in the church to the foster family, you become a vital part of the foster family’s journey, strengthening them in their mission to love and care for the child. This support not only uplifts the family but also plays a key role in showing God’s love to the child and the community.
Foster Care Closet provides essential clothing, supplies, and resources for foster families and children in need. Open to church members, DSS and community members in need, this ministry ensures that foster families have quick access to the items necessary for a smooth transition when welcoming a new child. To keep this resource running smoothly, we need volunteers to help maintain and organize the closet, ensuring it remains a reliable source of support for those caring for vulnerable children. Your help makes a difference in the lives of foster families!
Our Foster Care Meals Ministry is a loving way to support foster families by providing them with a meal during their busy days. We are seeking volunteers who are willing to prepare/buy just one meal a month to help lighten the load for these families as they focus on caring for the children in their homes. Your contribution will bring nourishment and encouragement, showing Christ’s love in a tangible way to families who are making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children
Our Department of Social Services (DSS) Support Ministry is dedicated to praying for and encouraging the hardworking DSS staff who tirelessly serve vulnerable children and families. Through prayer, words of encouragement, and small acts of appreciation, we aim to lift their spirits and remind them they are not alone in their work. As they face the challenges of their demanding roles, our ministry seeks to be a source of strength and support, covering them in prayer and sharing God’s love in meaningful ways.
Our Values
Compassion and Care for Orphans
As God’s children who have been adopted into His family by grace and through His infinite love, we are called to demonstrate a similar love in how we care for orphaned children.
Sacrificial Love
Christian love demonstrated practically requires personal sacrifice.
Fellowship of Believers
Personal relationships and community bonds within the church are deepened and strengthened when ministry, service and sacrifice is a shared endeavor.
Biblical Principles
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God our Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
The orphan crisis is a reality in the world we live in, both internationally and here in our local communities. How we respond (or don’t respond) to this urgent need as Christians matters to God.
Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Using the resources we have been given by God to provide for the physical needs of others honors Christ and is one of the defining characteristics of biblical Christianity.
Mark 8:34-35
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s sake will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Following Christ demands that we willingly put aside our comforts and preferences in exchange for God’s purposes and priorities for our life. Practically speaking this means sacrificially caring for those in need.
Foster Care Contact Information
Fredericksburg
To be filled
Office Location:
608 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Spotsylvania
Foster Care Training Coordinator:
Beajor Stoddart-Johnson
Phone: 540.212.8582
Email: B.Stoddart-johnson@dss.virginia.gov
Office Location:
9019 Old Battlefield Blvd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Stafford
Foster Care Training Coordinator (temporary):
Cammie Robinson
Phone: 540.621.3700
Email: cammie.robinson@dss.virginia.gov
Office Location:
1300 Courthouse Rd, Stafford, VA 22554
Resources
Sermons
- “The Gospel & Adoption,” (Justin Woodruff, Redeemer Bible Church)
- “Adoption: Pondering the Privileges,” (Tony Merida)
- “Adopted for Life,” (Russell Moore)
- “I am Adopted,” (J.D. Greear)
Books
- Adopted For Life by Russell Moore
- Orphanology by Tony Merida & Rick Morton
- Ready Or Not: 30 Days of Discovery For Adoptive & Foster Parents
by Pam Parish - The Foster Parenting Manual by John DeGarmo
- Rethinking Some Common Foster Care Concerns by Jason Johnson
Blog Posts
- Losing Your Life for the Sake of Christ and the Love of Others
by Justin Woodruff - Foster Care: Loving A Child That Might Leave by Jason Johnson