Every Child

For nearly 40 years, Mercy Ships has been providing medical care in developing nations aboard a fleet of ships—essentially floating hospitals—sharing hope, healing, and Christ in 581 ports in 57 nations to date. The services their medical volunteers provide are valued at more than $1 billion, impacting more than 2.48 million of the world’s most desperate people.

Before Jamie Schwandt was a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve—before he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, earned his Doctor of Education degree, published a book, gave a public lecture, or became a husband a father—he was a vulnerable child in foster care. Brian DeVos, Bethany’s Senior Vice President of Child and Family Services, spoke with Jamie about what it takes to overcome a turbulent childhood and achieve personal and professional success. Jamie Schwandt is the author of Succeeding as a Foster Child: A Roadmap to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Success.

Dr. Curt Thompson, founder of Being Known and author of Anatomy of the Soul, explores connections between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spirituality. In this episode, he speaks with Kris Faasse, Bethany’s Senior Vice President for Clinical Operations, about how he has applied his research to help parents develop healthy attachments with children who enter their families through adoption or foster care. The key, he says, is for parents to be in tune with their own need for healing, restoration, and relationship. Parenting a child who has experienced trauma requires considerable patience and empathy—which can only be given in proportion to what parents already possess.

With the recent influx of unaccompanied minors from Central America, Dona Abbott, branch director of Bethany Christian Services Grand Rapids, holds a timely conversation with Sonia Nazario. Sonia is a journalist, advocate, and author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Enrique’s Journey, the story of a Honduran boy’s struggle to find his mother in the U.S. Dona and Sonia discuss the book and how Enrique and his family are doing today, as well as the current refugee crisis involving Central American children.

Kevin Riedel had a tumultuous childhood in foster care. He spent his teens at a residential treatment home before aging out of the foster care system. With the right support at the right time, he was able to begin thinking about his future. Now a college student studying social work, Kevin’s desire is to mentor and support teens in foster care and help them find their forever families. Kimberly Offutt, Bethany’s National Foster Care Liaison and Project Manager for Operation Forever Family, speaks with Kevin about older youth in foster care and their need for hope, security, and love.

From age 7 through 17, Flowers childhood was spent being shuffled between foster homes, detention centers, reform schools, state youth facilities, and hospitals. He was labeled “beyond parental control” and was diagnosed with behavioral and learning disorders. Today he is the founder and president of Higher M-Pact, a 501(3) community-based organization dedicated to ministering to high-risk urban youth leaders. Listen as Tyrone shares his story and why Bethany believes it is crucial that we raise the bar for youth in foster care, allowing them the success and future they deserve.

Bill Blacquiere, President and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, delves into a meaningful conversation with Justin Lee, Founder of the Gay Christian Network and author of Torn, a book that examines what it means to be a gay Christian. Bill and Justin discuss how families and individuals cannot only help gay Christians in their struggles of acceptance by the church but also understand those struggles and strengthen their relationships through showing love as a representation of Christ.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere is joined by Acacia Bamberg Salatti, Director of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Acacia highlights free preventive health care services available through the Affordable Care Act. The resources she shares are a critical benefit to the single mothers and families Bethany serves. Local churches and organizations can help create awareness in their communities about these affordable health care options.

Bethany president and CEO, Bill Blacquiere is joined by Rik Swartzwelder, director of the film Old Fashioned and Gord Toering, executive producer about old fashioned values and how strong families benefit every child.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere is joined by Dr. Rhonda Littleton, Minister of Children for First Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and leader of the Home for Me foster/adoption ministry, for an engaging discussion on family reunification to help hurting children in foster care.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere hosts Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, adoptive parent, author and associate professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Bill and Dr. Jones discuss how churches can, and should, support couples struggling with infertility, birthmothers and adoptive families, as well as Dr. Jones’ latest book, Family Matters. Proceeds from Family Matters will be donated to Bethany to support the organization’s mission of finding a loving home for every child.

Join Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere and guest U.S. Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania for an informative and engaging conversation on protecting religious freedoms and the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act.

Bethany’s Amylynn Warners shares a personal story through which she gained unexpected blessings, a new passion for helping to meet the needs of others, and a new perspective on the experience of giving—God’s way.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere hosts Greg Smalley, vice president of Family Ministries at Focus on the Family, radio show host, and author of 12 books on marriage and parenting. Bill and Greg discuss the challenges and rewards of raising a family according to biblical principles.

Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, and Dr. Dave Anderson, executive director of Lydia Home and founder and executive director of Safe Families for Children, discuss the life-changing work Safe Families is doing across the country, how Safe Families is different from traditional foster care, Bethany’s involvement with the organization, and why having a community safety net such as Safe Families is so important to vulnerable children and families.