| Get to Know Antioch Adoptions Why Eastern Washington?
At a summer morning service during the late nineties, our founder the late Dr. Ken “Hutch” Hutcherson preached on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, to His congregation. He stated, “God has entrusted much responsibility to His servants but that many of us don’t make the most of what we’ve received because of fear of failure or out of laziness…and that there are serious consequences in failing to make the most of what you’ve received.” The church then distributed $16,000 to those in attendance; Ages 5-17 were given $5; 18 and older were given $10 or more and asked to pray about what to do with the money as a faithful steward. At Christmas, through the faithfulness of the congregation, $280,000 was collected and used as seed money to establish Antioch Adoptions.
“Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matt. 25:23
For over 26 years, Antioch Adoptions has continued to be a part of finding forever homes for children. The ministry continues to grow through the faithful giving of individual donors, church support, and grants. Antioch Adoptions does not receive any support from the State of Washington or the State of Arizona and has been faithful to continue with the model of offering all adoption agency services fee-free to families.
Everything Antioch Adoptions provides exists because Christians and churches chose to carry one another’s burdens. Trauma-informed care. Adoption services. Foster-to-adopt support. Training for churches and pregnancy resource centers. Mentorship for families and vulnerable mothers and fathers in crisis. All provided free of charge because the Gospel compels us to remove barriers, not create them.
Biblical Antioch Adoptions is rooted and unapologetically committed to traditional and the inerrant biblical principles. The ministry does not seek to be arrogant or distracted from God’s calling with regard to the services it provides. Furthermore, the ministry craves the covering and collaboration of The Church within local communities it serves. Our staff are from local community churches; our adoptive families are from local community churches. Vulnerable lives we touch and serve require influence, discipleship, prayer, and more from local churches within the communities we serve. Antioch Adoptions seeks to make the gospel attractive to the State of WA and the unbelieving culture despite the obstacles that stand in the way of the ministry and families who are called to care for orphans in our community. That is our biblical mandate (James 1:27).
Recent Arizona Expansion In recent years, the opportunity and call came for Antioch Adoptions to consider expansion outside of the State of Washington. That invitation came from the leadership and community of North Phoenix Baptist Church. Antioch Adoptions is a partner ministry of The Hope Center. Since its arrival and establishment in Arizona, other local churches have chosen to put their hands to the plow to impact the local community with the Christ-centered message of adoption.
Antioch Adoptions has also partnered with a number of local pregnancy resource centers and women’s clinics to deliver an accurate depiction of the purpose, process, and the true message of adoption. Adoption is often viewed as the worst of three choices (aborting, parenting, and adopting) by women in crisis and unexpected pregnancies. The ministry has delivered excellent training and support to professionals and volunteers serving in pregnancy facilities and catering to women in need of services. Take for example this testimonial which came as a result of one of the training sessions.
“The training was very beneficial in providing better ways to have the conversations about adoption with all of our clients. I look forward to sharing what I learned with all of my client advocates and applying what we learned! I look forward to increasing awareness of adoption and leading clients to that option. This training was highly beneficial for my team and me. Every PRC should take this training.” Tricia P. (PRC Executive)
The Call to Eastern Washington Over the years Antioch Adoptions has built relationships with pregnancy resource centers and trauma-informed care professionals around Eastern Washington. The ministry has and will continue to develop those relationships, as well as deliberately seek opportunities to build relationships with local churches within the region. As a result, there have been repeated requests for the expansion and establishment of our model and services to the region.
Antioch Adoptions seeks covering and collaboration with local and influential churches to guarantee the success of such an undertaking. Why?
How Churches Can Partner Antioch Adoptions never seeks to become an additional ministry burden for any or our partner churches. Quite the opposite, Antioch Adoptions seeks to be a trusted and autonomous resource churches can refer to their congregation. Likewise, refer us to families and women (and men) in crisis. We are eager to learn how your congregation and leadership team's strategic mission matches our goals. Because we know you are already serving the vulnerable and facing head on the societal ills that are a part of your community, we feel that we are already aligned with you and your church's outreach ministries.
Many churches and organizations today are afraid to even speak clearly about adoption to abortion-minded women because they fear appearing manipulative or judgmental. Antioch Adoptions is strategically positioned to bring training and clarity to these circumstances. We have served such situations with unfailing biblical consistency for over twenty-six years.
What Does This Expansion Mean Eastern Washington is one of the most culturally diverse and rapidly growing regions, home to urban centers, agricultural communities, tribal populations, immigrant families, and multi-generational residents who all contribute to the strength of the region. In some instances, this also creates significant challenges affecting vulnerable children and families. As Washington continues to place thousands of children into foster care, let’s work together to provide permanent, Christian forever homes for them. Your church is uniquely positioned to help! Let’s pair Antioch Adoptions' unique fee-free model with the power and influence your Christ-centered community has established. This collaboration also opens an avenue for Christ-centered professional and business leaders to pour resources into the local community and see that impact go much further with transparency and consistency. It is a pure motive - free of barriers and distractions – to give hope and security to those who are desperately looking for a chance at abundant life.
|
