lifeprints spring 2016

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS18912016

125 Anniversary

ISSUE

th

LP125 An

niversaryISSUE

th

Alabama BaptistChildrens Homes & Family Ministries

Lifeprints2

Alabama Baptist Childrens Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) has championed the statewide cause of children and families in need. Over the next few pages, you will see how God has grown our ministry from a small, farm-based community in Evergreen to one of the most diverse childcare and family ministries in Alabama. The face of our ministry may have changed over the years, but our desire to see children and families experience hope and wholeness through Jesus Christ will never change. That desire is at the very core of all we do.

1891 2016

For 125 years,

The pastor would stand in silence for what seemed to be several minutes. He would then approach the table and ignite another candle from the flame of the Christ candle. He then shared his light with the deacons, who then shared their light with the congrega-tion. Within minutes, the light would be shared with all of the faithful as we all sang Silent Night, and the church would be completely, beautifully illu-minated. It was then and remains one of my favorite sights.

Sometimes we might wonder how much good one little light can really do. If all your life is spent around others who already have the Light, your one candle may not make much of a differ-ence. However, there are many people

n C. S. Lewiss classic novel The Magicians Nephew, he states,

One moment there had been nothing but darkness; next moment a thousand, thousand points of light leaped out. I can clearly remember as a very young child enjoying my churchs Christmas Eve candlelight service. Our church would shut off all lights in the sanctuary, with the excep-tion of the Christ candle on the Lords Supper table.

To my young eyes, it seemed the sanctuary had been plunged into nearly total darkness. But if I looked toward the table, right in front of the manger scene, there was that single candle burning. I understood this can-dle to represent the Light of the World.

by ROD MARSHALL,President /CEO

125th Anniversary Issue 3

1863>>As the Civil War rages, the first attempt by Alabama Baptists is made to establish an Orphan Asylum for the State of Alabama, especially for the children of deceased soldiers. However, as the war ends, and funds disappear with the devaluing of Confederate currency, the dream of a Baptist home for orphans would have to wait almost thirty years.

bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. Like John, we know that we are not that Light, but also have been sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:79). For 125 years and for 30,000 children, we have proclaimed the great hope that comes only from the Light to those who have lived in darkness. Isaiah 9:2 describes this well, when the prophet says, The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Over the last 125 years, thousands of points of light have warmly illuminated the way for children and families who have found themselves in great darkness. It is my desire that our little lights and His Great Light continue to shine upon people in great darkness for the next 125 years. With Gods provision through the generous faithfulness of Alabama Baptists, I remain convinced that the best is yet to come!

Lets all let our little lights shine!

who spend their lives where the Light is hard to find, out on the edges. The middle-class margins that we have constructed (life insurance, emergency funds, social support networks, sav-ings accounts, health insurance, stable jobs, etc.) are not always available to everyone in our state. When you live on the edges, it can be very dark. One little light can make a great difference

in stark darkness. Thousands of little lights can turn darkness into daylight.

For the past 125 years, Alabama Baptists have been candle lighters in the lives of children and families who have spent far too much time in the dark. Over 30,000 vulnerable children have ben-efitted from the loving light-bearers who have given faithfully and some-times sacrificially to bring the Light into the darkness.

Like John the Baptist, Alabama Baptists

One little light can make a great difference in stark darkness. Thousands of little lights

can turn darkness into daylight.

1891>>Our ministry, originally named the Louise Short Baptist Widows and Orphans Home, begins through the efforts of Rev. John W. Stewart and a committee of six others with the registration of an official charter with the state of Alabama. Their collective dream of a childcare ministry, provided by Alabama Baptists, becomes a reality when the first home would open its doors in 1893 to three orphaned children.

Lifeprints4

OUR

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

What is your favorite flavor of cake?

Do you eat ice cream & cake together?YESNO

67%33%

CHOCOLATE 73%21%VANILLA

CHOCOLATE 42%30%VANILLA28%OTHER

6%OTHER

Since we are celebrating our 125th Birthday, we asked some of the kids in our care questions about their favorite birthday treats:

Celebrate with our PARTY PACKS!Host an ABCH birthday party for your church or associa-tion! Our party packs contain templates for invitations, trivia, party favors, cupcake wrappers, and more! Download this online-only pack at alabamachild125.org/parties.

1923>>ABCHs leadership recognizes the need for relocation and moves the organization to Troy, Alabama, where we would be based for 74 years.


OUR

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

What is your favorite flavor of cake?

Do you eat ice cream & cake together?YESNO

67%33%

CHOCOLATE 73%21%VANILLA

CHOCOLATE 42%30%VANILLA28%OTHER

6%OTHER

Since we are celebrating our 125th Birthday, we asked some of the kids in our care questions about their favorite birthday treats:

Celebrate with our PARTY PACKS!Host an ABCH birthday party for your church or associa-tion! Our party packs contain templates for invitations, trivia, party favors, cupcake wrappers, and more! Download this online-only pack at alabamachild125.org/parties.

1938>>The Louise Short Baptist Widows and Orphans Home is

renamed as The Alabama Baptist Childrens Home. Two years later, a potential foster care home is discussed, but wont become a substantial reality for another thirty-five years.

Lifeprints6

llison was nearly 14 the morning she walked into the bedroom of a shelter house on the Decatur campus of Alabama

Baptist Childrens Homes (ABCH). A year spent liv-ing with a teacher ended after Allisons constant cussing, yelling, screaming, and hitting became more than the pregnant mother of a two-year-old could handle. After a call to DHR, all of Allisons belongings were stuffed in a big green garbage bag and off she went to Decatur.

What she noticed was not the color of the room, or the bed or even how soft the carpet felt beneath her bare feet. What she did notice was a bunch of Jesus stuff all over the place; Christian knick knacks and some dumb cross with Jeremiah 29:11 stamped across it. She walked over and took every single knick-knack off the shelf and put them out of sight in the closet.

The time she spent living with her fourth-grade teacher was Allisons first experience with an

byRANDY

WINTONABCH

Trustee

,

A Love

1964>> A new campus home opens in Birmingham.


them away. Allison couldnt help but think how kind that was.

Allison sat on the floor of that room for hours, leaning up against the first bed in her life that would be her own. She felt numb and alone and just stared at nothing for hours. She thought back to life as a 7-year-old and the road that brought her to this place. As a child just trying to navigate first grade, Allison watched her parents, neither of whom finished tenth grade, become addicted to methamphetamine. They were living in a one-bedroom trailer in a run-down and dangerous area of town.

Because their parents mostly lived in a drug-induced stupor, Allison and her sister were on their own to wake up, get themselves ready, and somehow get to school on time. It was a matter of survival, since making it to school rewarded them with their only meal of the day. Weekends meant no food at all.

As the drug abuse escalated, so did the resulting physical abuse. Allison today wears the evidence of broken bones that never healed correctly.

When their mom left, the girls eventu-ally wound up living with an alcoholic aunt. At least they were experiencing better care, even if at such a tender age they began to realize what it felt like to be the property that nobody really loved or cared about.

When her fourth-grade teacher took her in, it was her first introduction to church and the Bible and this man

adult who truly seemed to care and was her first introduction to a man named Jesus. But because of the prob-lems Allison had caused, the teacher had little choice but to send her to fos-ter care. So, feeling unloved, unwanted, and unworthy once again, Allison was done: done with people, done with religion, and most certainly done with God. Jesus obviously hated her . . . and the feeling was mutual. At 14, Allison Looney never really wanted to hear His name again.

But in Gods humor, He sent her to ABCH, where she shares, ALL they talk about is Jesus. More than that, He apparently sent her to stay with, in her words, the biggest Jesus cheerleaders of all time! Nathan and Penny Campbell met her in the driveway. They were in their mid-50s and their biological grandchildren lived with them, alongside other kids placed in their care at the shelter home. The second every new kid walked in the door, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, as they were called, treated them the same and loved them as if they were their own. Penny took the bulging gar-bage bag, gave Allison a hug, and told her everything was going to be okay.

Allison looked at her like she was crazy. Wheres my room?

Penny walked her to her new room, and as Allison sat down on the floor beside the bed, she watched this woman very carefully pull her clothes out of the garbage bag, gently fold them, and put

1969>>The ministry further

expands to North Alabama by opening a campus home

in Decatur.

Lifeprints8

didnt work this time. After a month, she walked in and announced to her new house parents, Jim and Martha Harris, I dont want to be here. YOU dont want me here, so weve got to fig-ure some way to get me out of here.

Jim laughed at Allison. She stared at him in disbelief. This isnt a joke.

Were not going to make you leave.

Why not?

Jim smiled. Sit down, I want to tell you something. And for the first time in her life, an adult shared the gospel with this angry, frustrated teenage girl who thought her life had no value or didnt matter to anyone, most especially God.

Jim was patient and took his time explaining the gospel. When he was finished, he looked Allison in the eyes,

That is why we love you so much. Because Jesus died for you, we are going to die to ourselves every day for

named Jesus. And yet, it was at church where her anger burned the hottest. After all, if God loved her so much, why did she have to go through her ordeal and all those other people at church seemed to have it all? Her only con-clusion was that Jesus stunk, He hated her, and she never really wanted to hear His name again. So obedience and good behavior seemed a futile waste. In a matter of months, DHR stepped in and made the decision to put Allison in foster care.

During her six months living in the shelter house, Allison grew attached to Mawmaw and Pawpaw. When an open-ing came up at a cottage on campus, Allison all but refused to go. When it became apparent she had no choice in the matter, she decided to do what she always didtry to be the worst kid she could be, complete with screaming and cussing. To her amazement, though, it

1970>> The former Protestant Childrens Home in Mobile offers their facilities to be turned over to ABCH, strengthening the ministrys capacity to provide services statewide.


around and everything is perfect. You need to understand that. Allisons steely eyes met Andys. I dont need easy. I just want my life to be for some-thing more.

From that point on, everything changed. Over the next three years while living at the Childrens Home, Allison devoted herself to Bible study, her grades, and discipleship. She was blessed to spend a lot of time with Clint and Lesley Worthan, new youth ministers who replaced Andy Duncan after he left. Lesleys patience and willingness to

spend hours teaching Allison helped develop her understanding of the Word and Gods guidance in her life.

What transpired was a young lady who ended her high school career in the Top 10 of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. After scoring a 32 on the ACT, Allison accepted a full national merit scholarship to Auburn University and continues her studies there today.

This is an abridged story about Allison. A full version will be released later this year. Watch a video of Allisons story at alabamachild125.org/videos.

you and we are going to love you. This is the kind of love that will never turn you away.

Allison, you can do everything you want and it wont change anything. The love we have for you inside is far greater than the bitterness you have inside.

The light began to come on for Allison that night, but it wasnt until a few months later when Allison finally real-ized, at her churchs youth group Bible study, that sometimes suffering hap-pens for a greater good.

Andy Duncan, the youth minister, was teaching about Joseph and his story of sibling jealousy, neglect, abandon-ment and, eventually redemption. This piqued Allisons interest, for obvious reasons. When Andy got to the end of the story, 15-year-old Allison Looney broke down and gave her heart to the Lord.

I want to live like that, Allison told Andy, referring to Joseph. I want to live a life where bad things are not crip-pling things. I want to live my life for something that is good.

Andy understood. Its a 180 degree change, Allison. You die to yourself. The Bible doesnt depict it as a life turned

1975>>ABCH becomes a certified child-placing agency, introducing a brand new element in its ministryfoster care. Foster homes are not owned or rented

by ABCH like our campus care homes. Rather, they are private homes that are approved by our ministry as a good place for children, especially

young children, to live temporarily in the care of foster parents.

Lifeprints10

possible to Cullman, Alabama through his OB-GYN practice, it was apparent that this was more than just a job for himit was a ministry. He intentionally took the time to listen to his patients needs and pray with them.

In addition to caring deeply for his patients, Dr. Ensor was a vision-ary. He was very persistent with other doctors to bring them on board with his vision for the Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC).

We probably wouldnt have the hos-pital that you see now if not for him, shared Danny McAfee, close friend of the Ensors. Doc led a drive to vacate the old property and purchase 70 acres on the perimeter of town and build there. Today, there are 3 three-story professional office buildings surround-ing it. When you consider the scope of what CRMC does, its phenomenal for a

hose who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Herman and Janie Ensor will tell you about

their humble and gracious hearts. Dr. and Mrs. Ensor represent the salt of the earth type people who have qui-etly and effectively made a difference in the lives of others, shared Dr. Rick Lance, Executive Director of Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who also served as the Ensors former pas-tor at First Baptist Church Cullman.

They were passionate about Christ, shared Steve Sellers, Church Relations Officer at Alabama Baptist Childrens Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH). It was evident that they loved Jesus, and out of that passion, they just naturally loved people.

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITYAlthough Dr. Herman Ensor diligently worked to bring the best medical care

by NICOLE WALKER

1983>>The first emergency shelter for children opens on the Troy campus. Today, emergency shelters are provided on the Decatur and Oxford campuses.


Though Dr. Herman and Janie did not have children of their own, they often referred to the

children in our care as their children.

thank you note sent to them from our children, shared Michael Smith, ABCH Regional Vice President North Alabama.

Each Christmas when I visited them, these mementos from the children were prominently displayed around their home.

LEAVING A LEGACYEven though they are no longer with us, the Ensors legacy lives on. Their fin-gerprints are all over the community in Cullman and Decatur, ranging from the

medical community to the children in our care. After their passing, the Ensors left their estate and a significant gift to ABCH to care for their children, a gift that will impact lives for years to come.

In all that they gave, they wanted to make sure that God received all of the acknowledgment and glory, and that they were just humble servants carry-ing out His mission. If you asked either one of the Ensors who owns what they have, they would tell you that God owns it, shared Steve Sellers. They wouldnt hesitate about that answer. Everything they did, it was to glorify God.

town of 15,000 and a county of 80,000 to have the (amazing) kind of hospital we have.

THE ENSORS CHILDRENThe Ensors first became connected to ABCH through friends who shared with them the need for furniture at our Decatur campus. Because of their giv-ing hearts, they immediately helped fill our homes with sturdy, Amish-built furniture. It was after fulfilling this need that their passion for the

children in our care blossomed. The Lord put them in the right place, at the right time, and just used them! shared Bobby Joe Smith, former Area Director, Decatur.

Throughout the years, the Ensors also helped build a playground, renovate the recreational courts, paid for cottage repairs, and provided literally hun-dreds of meals for the children in our care at the Decatur campus. Though Dr. Herman and Janie did not have chil-dren of their own, they often referred to the children in care as their children. They treasured every small gift and

1995>>In an effort to further serve the mental and emotional needs of the chil-dren in our care, Pathways Professional Counseling opens its doors in 1995. Although initially created to serve children, Pathways has expanded its ser-vices to the general public, serving men, women, youth, and children. Today, there are over 40 locations across the state.

Lifeprints12

protect, nurture, and restore them as they navigate through this transitional time. While in Family Care, mothers receive educational services, job place-ment services, counseling, mentoring, spiritual enrichment, financial man-agement courses, and more.

I left Mobile on a tank of gas and $5, taking a step of faith to come to Alabaster, shared Valencia Pritchett.

A few years ago, Valencia lost her job and home while living in Mobile and needed a fresh start for her and her

hrough the years, weve seen many families torn apart due to job loss, financial difficul-

ties, substance abuse, domestic abuse, or other life circumstances. While serv-ing at-risk children and their families (often led by single mothers), we saw a great need to help them get back on their feet. That was why we started the Family Care program.

Through Family Care, we are able to help mothers with dependent children rebuild their lives by providing a safe, stable, and homelike environment to

*Seen here are renderings of what the new Family Care home in Mobile will look like.

1997>>ABCH leadership acknowledges a need to be in a more centralized location for our statewide services. The historic Troy campus is closed, and the organizations headquarters moves to Birmingham.


were helped, many are waiting to enter the program because we are at capac-ity. Recognizing this great need, steps have been taken to grow this program, and we are breaking ground in Mobile in 2016, building a state-of-the-art facility to accommodate more families. Several acres of land with an existing home have been acquired, and we are nearly halfway to our fundraising goal to launch this project. With the expan-sion of Family Care, we anticipate that we will be able to triple the amount of families served through the program in that region!

To learn more about our Family Care Program and ways you can help, visit alabamachild.org/FamilyCare

daughter. Thats when she decided to go through our Family Care program in Alabaster. She shares, When you think about your children, and how this is going to benefit them in the long run, you do what you need to do. Family Care is a new start for you and your family if thats what you want it to be.

Valencia was not only able to pro-vide stability for her family through the program, but today she is helping other mothers like herself by serving as Family Care Case Manager at our Gardendale location.

Last year, ABCH was able to serve 70 mothers and children through Family Care homes in Alabaster, Gardendale, Mobile, and Oxford. Although several

1999>>Expanding again! Childcare services are offered in two new locations: an emergency care shelter is opened in Oxford (called the Friendship House), and a campus care home is opened in Dothan.

Lifeprints14

community, but they also participated in a variety of efforts to support state and world missions. Although my mother always resided in a small farm-ing community, her faith was anything but small. She taught us to have a worldviewespecially when it came to our faith and believing what God could do for and through us.

My parents most actively supported Alabama Baptist Childrens Homes (ABCH). In the summer when we were harvesting and canning vegetables, my mother bought extra-large jars to fill for the children. In the fall, my family would join with other families in filling a railroad car with canned goods, along

o you remember when you came to understand that as a Christian you have a respon-

sibility to let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16)? For me, it began in 1951 when I became a Christian and my mother started sharing with me the opportunities and responsibilities we have to demon-strate our love for Christ and others.

My family lived in a rural area in Alabama and attended a very small Baptist church. We were very involved in church activities and my parents ministered to many needs in the

by PAUL MILLER

2016>>ABCH celebrates 125 years of ministry to more than 30,000 children and families in Alabama!

Thank you to all of the churches, donors, volunteers, and supporters for helping us reach this milestone! View more of our history and ways to celebrate at alabamachild125.org.


The success of the Childrens Homes can be attributed to many factors, but none more important than the love of Christ shining through the faithful house parents, foster parents, social workers, counselors, support staff, vol-unteers, and financial supporters.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join this dedicated group of people in 1972, and to have had the joy of observ-ing first hand the impact the ministry has made in the lives of thousands of children and families.

It is entirely appropriate to celebrate what has been accomplished with Gods blessing during the past 125 years. However, with the deterioration of fam-ilies and rampant abuse and neglect of children, the need for this ministry is greater than ever before.

The growing needs provide greater opportunities for you to let the light of Jesus shine in your life. When those committed to Christ join together to meet these needs, they can more effec-tively light a path for hurting children and families out of the darkness they are experiencing into a bright future!

Paul Miller spent his entire professional career with Alabama Baptist Childrens Homes & Family Ministries, beginning as a social worker in 1972. In 1990, he became President/CEO of ABCH, eventually retiring in 2012.

with corn and hay for the milk cows and other livestock on the Troy campus. Our church also collected a cash offer-ing to help meet other needs of the Childrens Homes.

What my family and our little coun-try church did was what Rev. John

Stewart, the driving force for the founding of the childrens homes in 1891, had in mind when he attended a meet-ing of a new board of trustees that had been appointed to study the feasibility of establish-ing an orphanage. After much discussion, the board president asked Rev. Stewart what he

thought. Rev. Stewarts answer was brief and direct. I think it is practica-ble to start an orphans home in thirty days. When asked how he would do it, Rev. Stewart answered, Well, I would do it this way. I would locate the home temporarily somewhere, and get some motherly woman to be the Matron, and pick up some poor child to be the ben-eficiary, and let the Baptists know what youve got, and theyll do the rest. With the blessing from the trustees, that is what Rev. Stewart did.

From that humble and faith-stretching beginning, ABCH has grown to be the most diverse children and family min-istry in the state, serving thousands every year.

Here are 10 Ways you can celebrate!

One Participate in 125 ways to pray for ABCH (coming soon at alabamachild.org/pray)

Two Host a diaper drive for 125 packs of diapers. If you have a lot of involvement, try for 125 packs of each size!

Three Host a 125th ABCH birthday party and invite a speaker from ABCH to come and share with your church or association.

Four Celebrate at your associational meeting with an ABCH birthday cake!

Five Collect $1.25 a week as a family, and share it during the Christmas Open House event/season.

Six Sponsor a child for Christmas for $125.Seven Set a prayer reminder for 1:25 PM every day to pray for children and families in need.

Eight Donate $125 in groceries and/or gift cards to help provide meals for the children on our campuses.

Nine Share your birthday by asking those who want to purchase a gift, to donate to ABCH this year instead.

Ten Host a paper pounding for 125 paper products, including paper towels and toilet paper.

See more at alabamachild125.org!

th

Ala

bam

a B

apti

st C

hil

dre

ns

Hom

es &

Fam

ily

Min

istr

ies

P.O

. Box

361

767

Bir

min

gham

, AL

3523

6-17

67

18

91

2

016

NO

N-P

ROFI

TU

S PO

STAG

E

PAID

PERM

IT #

2036

BIRM

ING

HA

M

lifeprints spring 2016

Documents