Adoption. We who were once not a people have been adopted by the creator of the universe. Christians are now sons of God and Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers. John Piper talks about adoption being at the heart of the gospel and his church are loud advocates theologically, politically and practically in the realm of human adoption. Their stance on adoption makes sense considering their stance on abortion. I can't remember where I read it or heard it (it was in one of the sermons or articles on desiringGod.org), but there are some 80 families that have adopted Children in the church that Piper pastors. That's exciting.

I'm the youth ministry champion in our church. I wonder if part of championing youth ministry and reaching out to teenagers on the Central Coast involves adopting teenagers. Teenagers are the hardest children to find families willing to adopt... there are many issues with adopting teenagers... and from what I understand it's more likely for them to be fostered as opposed to adopted.

It would be important that the teenager being fostered is younger than the youngest child in that family. I also think that the fail rate is high in fostering teenagers. So expectations and difficulties would need to be realistically communicated to potential families. It would take special parents to pull this off. I would love to see this start happening in our church. It would be great way to love teenagers who need to be loved and God-willing we'd see teenagers come to know Jesus who has loved them supremely in his death for their sins.

Do you know of any churches that are actively involved in encouraging families to adopt/foster teenagers? Any other thoughts?

PRAYER FRIDAY:

• Pray that lost Central Coast teenagers would be found.
  
• Thank God for 11 years of CCEC. Big party tonight!
  
• Working on a 5 year plan for ccecyouth. Pray that lives will keep being changed by the goodnews of Jesus.