One of the unique ministries in our state that I am proud of is the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH). This is a great example of specific ministries that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) depends on state conventions to operate with Cooperative Program (CP) funds because the SBC does not operate children’s homes. The amount that BCH receives from CP is only a small portion of funds required to operate this ministry.

For more than 130 years, the Baptist Children’s Homes has served families and communities across our state and beyond through 21 different locations in North Carolina and an orphanage in Guatemala.

Please consider praying and supporting the BCH annual offering later this month. Thanks to your prayers and gifts, the BCH is able to provide children who have endured untold difficulties and hardships with a place of peace and hope. Additionally, the Baptist Children’s Homes is a place where the gospel is shared. Last year alone, more than 32,500 lives were touched through the ministry of BCH, and over 200 decisions for Christ were recorded.

Through the BCH, you and your church can play a part in reaching the next generation for Christ. Of those individuals who come to BCH, 80 percent are unchurched. What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has provided to house parents and others who love and care for these boys and girls to introduce them to Jesus.

“Come to Me, I Will Give You Rest,” is the theme for this year’s BCH annual offering, based on Matthew 11:28. Randy Stewart, pastor of the Mills Home Baptist Church, located at the center of the BCH’s Mills Home campus in Thomasville, says that’s exactly what happens through this ministry.

“Jesus says, ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’” Stewart says. “This verse speaks to the heart of what we give to the girls and boys who come to us at Baptist Children’s Homes.”

During his 26 years as the Mills Home pastor, Stewart has preached, counseled and befriended many children through the years. He’s seen many trust Christ as Savior.

“These pews — where so many children have sat over the years — they have stories to tell,” Stewart says. “They are stories of children who have come to us out of chaos.”

Stewart shares some of those stories and his heart for BCH in a series of videos that are available to promote this year’s offering. The videos and other information, materials and resources about this year’s offering is available online at bchoffering.org.

The goal for this year’s offering is $1.5 million, and Nov. 11-18 has been designated as a week of prayer for the offering and the ministries and families it supports and serves. Daily prayer prompts are also available online.

Thank you N.C. Baptists for your partnership, prayers and support of the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina.