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To the Editor:
Christians love adoption the most of any religion. A Barna survey found Christians are more than twice as likely as other Americans to adopt a child. Tennessee can be proud that we are one of the easiest states to adopt from. Still the government should do more to lower the cost. Adoption certification can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, foster certification is usually free.
Adoption and foster care are both pleasing to God. Adoption is pro-life. Adoption provides a viable and real alternative to parents considering abortion. Adoption is a loving act to the children and to God. Sadly, according to Bethel McGrew some states don’t allow Christians with Biblical values to adopt or foster children in their states. Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington State have denied the right to adopt or foster to those not approving of their state religion of LGBTQ. I think they lied about being a religion or movement for tolerance!
The Bible in Matthew 25 says, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Christian Alliance for Orphans says to adopt to let every child experience God’s unfailing love. For years they have recognized Orphan Sunday every year on the second Sunday in November which this year is Nov. 12, to bring worldwide attention to the needs of orphans. This year they have changed the name to Pure Religion Sunday.
Also, November is National Adoption Month and it’s too important for one day. God is the Father (Psalm 68:5) of the fatherless and we are to follow His example by practicing true or pure religion in putting a priority on reaching out to orphans and widows according to the Bible in James 1:27.
When the Christian church began they showed their love by rescuing and raising babies left by the Romans to die. The New Testament book of James tells us to, “visit (help) orphans and widows in their affliction and keep oneself unstained from the world.” God cares deeply for orphans and those without a family. (Deuteronomy 10; Psalm 68). God calls people to share this work and bring needy, vulnerable children the love of Jesus in word and deed. As Christians respond to God’s call to care for orphans and children without families, lives are positively transformed. Pray that there will always be more families waiting for children than children waiting for families. I know two wonderful Christian families in Elizabethton that adopted brothers and sisters and kept their family together. One adopted three children in the same family and another adopted five in the same family. They showed the love of Jesus and grew the church.
Christians have started more orphanages throughout the world than any other religion. Christian George Muller ran an orphanage and recorded thousands of answered prayers that proves God’s great love for orphans. Christianity isn’t a self-focused religion. Every child deserves a chance to be raised in a loving home and benefits from a loving family. Sadly, there are over 391,000 children in the American foster care system and 117,000 eligible for adoption with no permanent family to call their own. Locally we should pray for and give to Ronda Paulson, Isaiah 117 House. It is just as important for Christians to foster children. The average time a child waits in foster care to be adopted is over three years. Over half of these children have had three or more placements. One study found that one third of children in foster care had changed schools five or more times, losing relationships and falling behind educationally. The majority who “age out” of institutional care with no family and no place to call home become criminals unless they become Christians. Over one thousand age out in Tennessee every year.
A new way to adopt is a Christian snowflakes embryo adoption program. Snowflake baby is a term used by organizations that promote the adoption of frozen embryos left over from invitro fertilization. Embryo adoptions allow you to adopt embryos, experience pregnancy and then give birth to your adopted baby. Adoption is a central metaphor or picture of our salvation in Jesus. The Bible says only Christians are children of God. In Romans 8, Paul beautifully writes that those (Christians) who are led by the Spirit of God are “children of God,” having received the “Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father!” We Christians spiritually are no longer orphans but are by the blood of Jesus covering our sins and the Holy Spirit in us, “children of God” now and forever. Because Christians are adopted by God we can’t lose our salvation and thanks be to God, it’s irreversible and eternal!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton