Every Child

Kris Faasse, Vice President of clinical services for Bethany, guests hosts the Every Child podcast, welcoming Steve Pemberton, author of A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home, for discussion on growing up in the foster care system and Steve’s personal story.

Darrell “D.J.” Jordan, a Senior Congressional Aide in the US Senate, has a candid discussion with Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere on the impact of stable families on society. They touch on critical issues such as foster care, adoption, and mentoring.

Scott Roley, pastor, musician, and author of God’s Neighborhood: A Hopeful Journey in Racial Reconciliation and Community Renewal and Hard Bargain: A Beautiful Place to Live, joins Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere for a discussion on a white pastor’s identification with an African-American community, the challenges in revitalizing a 100-year-old neighborhood into a vibrant community, and the role the ministry plays in a neighborhood’s rebirth.

When you think fundraising activities for a family preservation and child welfare agency, a long-range shooting competition probably doesn’t immediately jump to mind. Gary Larson, a former foster care child and current Bethany board member and long-range shooting enthusiast, joins Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere for a discussion on why such a unique fundraising event is a perfect way to raise awareness to the plight of vulnerable children among non-traditional audiences.

Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, speaks with recording artist Laura-Valentine about her own story as an adoptee, her commitment to orphans, and the upcoming release of her second album. Laura-Valentine, who also runs Laura-Valentine Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping raise awareness and funding for the world’s forgotten children to be adopted into loving Christian homes, talks with Bill about her passion for helping children and the contest she’s running in conjunction with her album release to award one lucky couple up to $20,000 to cover adoption expenses.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere hosts Cary Rayson, the executive director of Magdalene, a residential program for women who have survived lives of prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. Many of the children Bethany supports are victims or potential victims of sex trafficking, making them extremely vulnerable to the dangers and struggles Magdalene’s clients have faced.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere hosts Keith McFarland, coauthor of In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence and principal at New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family, an evangelical ministry in Uganda. Bill and Keith discuss the needs of orphans and how to best support vulnerable children around the world.

Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, speaks with Ryan Dobson, host of the radio program Grounded and son of Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson. Ryan discusses working with his father, his plans for the future, and what it was like to grow up as Dr. Dobson’s son.

Bill Blacquiere, Bethany’s President and CEO, talks with Dr. Susan Bissell, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF, about the recent crisis surrounding unaccompanied minors from Central America and the work the organization does around the world on behalf of vulnerable children. UNICEF and faith-based organizations like Bethany can work collectively to support children and families in crisis.

Jim Wallis, New York Times best-selling author and founder/president of Sojourners, a Christian organization committed to faith in action, joins Bethany Christian Services’ Bill Blacquiere on the Every Child podcast for a conversation about how Christianity influences concepts like social justice.

Mark Stutrud is board chair for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, or LIRS, an organization that has been a champion for migrants and refugees from around the globe for more than seven decades. LIRS’ legacy of courageous and compassionate service has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who have sought safety and hope in America’s communities. Since 2004, Mark has served as president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.

Bill Blacquiere, Bethany’s president and CEO, talks with Ruslan Maliuta. The recent turmoil between Russia and Ukraine has many in the field of child welfare concerned about the impact on orphans in Ukraine. Ruslan Maliuta is the International Facilitator of World Without Orphans, an organization in Ukraine working to create a better life for orphans by broadening the understanding of the problems they face and the potential ways people can effectively contribute to supporting vulnerable children. He joins Bill Blacquiere, Bethany Christian Services’ President/CEO, for an informative discussion on what’s taking place in Ukraine and how his organization is working to ensure the safe placement of vulnerable children with loving families.

Bill Blacquiere, Bethany’s president and CEO, talks with Ryan Bomberger, adoptee, adoptive parent, and co-founder of the Radiance Foundation, a non-profit pro-life organization working to inspire others to embrace their intrinsic value and live a life of meaning. Ryan’s biological mother was raped yet courageously chose to continue the pregnancy – making an adoption plan for him.

Bethany’s Bill Blacquiere hosts Shelly Radic, president of Project 1.27 in Colorado, for a discussion on inspiring and recruiting families to foster and adopt, and on working with local churches and organizations on how to best assist these families.

Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, speaks with Jedd Medefind, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), a coalition of 130 organizations and churches working together to inspire and equip Christians for effective adoption, foster care and global orphan initiatives. Jedd discusses his latest book, Becoming Home - Adoption, Foster Care and Mentoring - Living Out God’s Heart for Orphans, and the upcoming CAFO Summit.