We Hear From Men: What Do You See As Your Role in Orphan Care?

What better way to celebrate Father's Day than to give voice to men who are advocating for vulnerable children in our community. It is a wonderful opportunity to hear from them and gain insight into their understanding and compassion for the fatherless and the hurting.


Brian King, Foster Parent and CFLM Staff

Danny Stevens, CFLM Board Member

Steve Archie, Foster Parent

Jake Parham, Adoptive Dad

Steven Brooks, Foster Parent and Youth Pastor

Kory Verdonck, Adoptee, Adoption Attorney, and Foster Care church Advocate

Caleb Brown, Adoptive Dad

Doug McFarland, Adoptive Dad and CFLM Board Member


AS A FATHER, OR AS A MAN, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR ROLE IN ORPHAN CARE?

Brian: Our role in orphan care is to be the hands and feet of Christ. The Bible is filled with evidence that God cares about orphans and vulnerable populations. As image-bearers of Christ, we are to be concerned for the things for which God is concerned. Particularly for children who do not have a father, we have the opportunity to be maybe the only reflection they ever see of Christ. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to introduce them to their Heavenly Father.

Danny: I see my role as defined in James 1:27, a mandate to serve orphans and widows according to my unique spiritual gifts.  There is not a question as to whether I serve or not; the only question is how can I serve best.  My role is to take advantage of the blessings available to me through service to the least of these. I get to serve as the hands and feet of our Heavenly Father as I reach out to the children in our community who need, value and desire the

Steve: First to train up any children that are in our home in the ways of the Lord and to continue sharing the gospel of Christ with them.  Jill and I have learned as we've fostered that a lot of these children do not have father figures in their life.  I want to be that father to them that they may never have had to love, nurture, protect, teach, help heal, invest and be there for them day by day. 

Kory: The Bible paints a beautiful picture of what fatherhood is in the example of our Father God. His love for us is infinite, and as men we should strive for that infinite love as well. So I see my role as doing whatever I can to love on people, and find that orphan care is an area of tremendous need, and thereby an area of tremendous opportunity. By serving children in need, we can give people a salient example of how great the Father's love is for them - not only these children and their families, but also the world in general. 

Caleb: To make myself and my home available to those in need and to provide a consistent, loving, godly, caring environment for children who often think no one loves them and the world has given up on them.

Jake: As a man, I should be ready to protect. Those without fathers are some of the most vulnerable in society; they need protection from harm, lies, discrimination and a false identity. Psalm 82:3 reminds us that to defend the fatherless is part of God’s plan. To defend the fatherless is kingdom work. My role in orphan care is to add warriors to the kingdom by defending the fatherless.

Doug: Men should be leaders and orphan care is no exception to that.  Involvement in orphan care can take many forms.  Maybe your family could open your home to adopt or foster or maybe you can serve on a foster care support team. Men should be leaders and find ways to help, starting with prayer and then by discussing it with your family.

Stephen: As a foster parent, I get the opportunity to invest in the life of a child and remind them that they have value and that they are loved. No matter how long I get to be a part of a child’s life, I want to reflect the love and grace of our heavenly Father so they want to know and follow him long after they are in my house.


Chosen for Life