One of the ministries in our state that tugs at my heartstrings is the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina. I’m thankful for the long and rich partnership between Baptist Children’s Homes and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

North Carolina Baptists have been faithful supporters of BCH through the Cooperative Program (CP) and other means, as well. The Baptist Children’s Homes is one example of the unique ministries that the Southern Baptist Convention depends on state conventions to support through CP giving. However, CP support alone is not enough to fund all of the work that Baptist Children’s Homes engages in through its ministry.

That’s why I’m inviting you to once again consider praying for and supporting this year’s BCH annual offering, which is typically received around Thanksgiving. The week of Nov. 15-22 has been designated as a week of prayer for the offering. More details, including prayer prompts, videos and other promotional materials, are available at bchoffering.org. The theme of this year’s offering is “Chosen,” and the offering goal is $1.5 million.

Your prayers and gifts not only provide safe homes to hurting children, but they also make it possible for them to hear the gospel. Through its ministry, Baptist Children’s Homes welcomes children who are the victims of abuse or neglect into caring cottage homes and foster care families where compassionate adults care for them and share with them the unconditional love of Jesus.

BCH is making an eternal impact in the lives of these children and families. We are blessed and fortunate to have the very capable and committed staff of BCH employees who love children and are passionate about helping broken families. Each of us believes these children deserve a chance to find a better life and a new beginning through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Under the stellar and unparalleled leadership of President and CEO Dr. Michael Blackwell, BCH has ministered to and served more than 185,000 children and families in the last five years alone. Statistics show that 70% of these children arrive at BCH with no connection to the local church, but we give praise to God that more than 700 professions of faith have been made by individuals in the last five years thanks to this vital ministry.

Nathen and Tyler are just two examples of children who now have a home, a family and eternal hope, thanks to Baptist Children’s Homes. The brothers were homeless and living in a tent without a father to depend on when they came to BCH. Now they have been adopted into a loving home, and they also know their Heavenly Father after trusting in Jesus as Savior. And thanks to a recent merger that brings Christian Adoption Services under the umbrella of BCH, we pray that even more children and families will experience the joy of adoption. Your gifts to the offering will aid in those efforts.

Nathen and Tyler’s story is one of several being highlighted as part of this year’s offering to show the impact that BCH is having and continues to have across our state. A video of their story is available at bchoffering.org.

Parents, please watch this uplifting video about Nathen and Tyler (and other videos that are accessible) with your children to help them understand how God is working miracles in the lives of children who are being cared for by the Baptist Children’s Homes. You will understand without question why we ask you to support this special offering during the Thanksgiving season.

Thank you North Carolina Baptists for making a difference in the lives of children like Nathen, Tyler and numerous others through the Baptist Children’s Homes.

“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.” — Psalm 68:5 (NKJV)