PURE RELIGION
God’s heart for the fatherless is evident – and at East White Oak we assist orphans through our Adoption, Foster Care and Global Orphan Care teams.
Adoption Team
The adoption team assists in orphan care by encouraging pre-adoptive and post-adoptive families with resources and support.
The process of adoption can be a daunting task. From the beginning phases of inquiring about a child or filling out an application, to the completion of a required homestudy, the process sometimes can take years to finish and be filled with unexpected frustrations. The adoption team is here to provide encouragement, guidance, and support during these times.
CONSIDERING ADOPTION?
Let us help remove some of the fear and confusion by directing you to the following information:
- East White Oak offers financial grants and interest-free loans to church members and regular attenders. You can download the application here. East White Oak Church Fund joint application.
- The adoption team has assembled a helpful list of resources. Resource List.
- Contact an East White Oak family who has adopted. Many adoptive families are ready and willing to answer any of your questions or listen to your thoughts regarding adoption. A list of names and contact information is available at the church office.
Foster Care
THE EAST WHITE OAK FOSTER CARE TEAM ASSISTS IN ORPHAN CARE BY PROVIDING RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FOSTER PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
About 400 children in McLean County are currently in foster care. The reasons for their placement vary – some are there because of abuse, others because of neglect or various addictions. The foster care team stands ready to take hold of this opportunity by assisting foster parents and children with resources and encouragement. It is the goal of our foster team to bring awareness and help to these often forgotten children.
INTERESTED IN FOSTER CARE?
The requirements to become licensed are:
- Must be over the age of 21
- Complete a background check and fingerprints
- Be a legal US resident
- Complete the application process
- Complete the required training (approximately 27 hours)
- Obtain a homestudy with a licensed social worker
- The licensing and training process usually takes from 2 to 6 months
LOCAL FOSTER CARE AGENCIES:
The Baby Fold 309.454.1770
The Center for Youth and Family Solutions 309.820.7616
Global Orphan Care
The global team assists in orphan care by praying for and providing care and resources for orphan ministries around the world.
With 99.99% of the world’s 150+ million orphans living beyond the borders of the United States, the American church must be strategic in how she helps these needy children. The reach of the worldwide orphan team currently extends to four countries: Guatemala (Kids Alive), India (As Our Own), Tanzania (Tanzania Children’s Rescue Center), and Zimbabwe (Empty the Orphanage Project).
The work we hope to continue doing in these places will largely consist of projects like providing necessary food and supplies, offering medical assistance, supporting indigenous families to take in orphans, and sending encouragement through correspondence and visits.
Guatemala
Teams from East White Oak travel have travelled to Guatemala. While visiting, they were able to deliver supplies and financial gifts to meet the general needs of the girl’s home. We received this kind thank you in response to a trip: “Your gift purchased school supplies for 33 girls to attend grades kindergarten to 6th grade. It also provided uniforms for the 7 girls who needed new uniforms this year. It was a tremendous help.”
India
One of our teams visiting India was able to deliver supplies and a financial gift to meet the general needs of the girl’s home. We received this kind thank you: “How grateful we were to receive the gift from the people of East White Oak Bible Church! These funds covered a large portion of last month’s food and toiletry budget. We were able to purchase items like: lentils, cooking oil, wheat, sugar, tea, Colgate toothpaste, bathing soap, and Indian spices. What a tremendous blessing!”
Tanzania
East White Oak has been affiliated with the Tanzania Children’s Rescue Center (TCRC) for more than 15 years. TCRC’s mission is “To glorify God by fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus (making disciples) and fulfilling the Great Commandment of Jesus (loving others) through specific ministry to orphaned and vulnerable children, responding by proclaiming the gospel to them, teaching them the Word of God and ministering compassionately to their needs.” Both individual and team opportunities for short term trips to serve at TCRC are available. Additional ministry information can be found here.
Zimbabwe
In 2011, 2012, and 2014 teams from East White Oak were able to visit orphanages in Zimbabwe and assist in strategies that move children out of the orphanages and into Christian families. Due in part to financial support from our church, 12 former orphans now live with new families. The history and mission of Empty the Orphanage as well as highlights from trips can be viewed here.
If you are interested in learning more about Adoption, Foster Care, or Global Orphan Care, please contact Abigail Waples at [email protected] or Pastor Justin at [email protected].