The Heritage Adoption Assistance Ministry was established by people highly interested in seeing the body of Christ get behind adoption, whether as adoptive parents or as enthusiastic supporters. The primary way this ministry seeks to help is by providing financial assistance to approved applicants. Adoption costs can range anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000 depending on the process. That fact alone discourages many willing families from pursuing adoption. With the existence of this fund, the ministry’s hope is that a family will move from thinking adoption is impossible to thinking it is possible with help. Another way the Heritage Adoption Assistance Ministry desires to help is by raising awareness of adoption and, over time, build a culture of adoption where adoption is embraced and celebrated by the church. By building a culture of adoption locally the ministry hopes to raise awareness for the plight of 143,000,000 orphans around the world. Nearly 6,000 children become orphans every day according to one study. They are among the world’s most vulnerable and oppressed. By getting behind adoption, the body of Christ can make a difference for time and for eternity. Five Reasons the Church Should Get Behind Adoption By getting behind adoption, the body of Christ demonstrates the reality of our faith to a skeptical world. Our society commonly sees Christian opposition to abortion and pro-choice legislation but often misses the positive contribution we make in children’s and women’s lives. What an incredible statement Christians make when children, even seriously handicapped children, are adopted into a family that values every human life. The pro-abortion world, which kills 3,000 babies daily, needs to see that every “unwanted” or “unplanned” pregnancy is wanted and is planned in God’s economy. Getting behind adoption is also an incredible way the body of Christ can come alongside couples who desire to adopt but often feel isolated in the church. Many factors contribute to a family’s sense of isolation such as issues with infertility, unfair characterizations or ignorance concerning adoption, and the overwhelming cost just to name a few. By getting behind adoption the church is able to encourage, support, and build families. Fewer families would feel isolated if they knew their church has pledged to help them during this time in their lives. Getting behind adoption whether by adopting an orphan or by supporting those who wish to adopt, is an application of God’s command to the church in James 1:27: “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to assist orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” It is also an application of God’s instructions to Old Testament believers in Deuteronomy 14:29: “And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” Simply put, the church is commanded to act on behalf of orphans and adoption is one of the most important ways we can obey that command Getting behind adoption is a godly pursuit because it is in God’s own character to help orphans. Psalm 146:9 says: “The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow.” And it seems, according to Matthew 25:35-36, adopting or assisting adoption is a ministry to Christ Himself: “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” As Christians we are called to imitate God as His adopted children and to imitate His Son who gave up his life for us: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…” 
(Ephesians 5:1-2.) Finally, by getting behind adoption the church is advancing the kingdom of God and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to children who might not otherwise hear or understand without Christian parents. “The good news that orphan children need to hear is not only the fact that they will be adopted by a loving family, but also the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make it possible for them to become adopted children of God. Our adoption by God is the ultimate expression of His love, and was the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ life on earth and death on the cross. This is truly the Gospel of Adoption, and it is written in Galatians 4:4-5 and John 1:12. If orphan children never experience a family’s love, how can we expect them to comprehend God’s love? Adoption by a Christian family is the best way for orphan children to become adopted children of God.” (Home For Good Foundation) The Heritage Adoption Assistance Ministry is convinced that getting behind adoption whether as adoptive parents or as enthusiastic supporters is important and part of God’s plan for the church. Anyone can help by praying for orphans and adopting families, by prayerfully considering whether or not adoption is right for them, by encouraging adoptive families with kind words of support, and by donating to funds like this one that seek to off-set in some way adoption’s overwhelming financial cost. May God guide you as you consider how best to get behind adoption. If there are questions regarding adoption or the Heritage Adoption Assistance Ministry, please contact one of the following team members: Team Members Joy Fischer 947-2901 yojhump@cox.net Debra Lee 341-4608 ourrbl@aol.com Gary Riffey 840-4882 Praz2Him_1@hotmail.com Sally Riffey 840-4882 luv2tellsallyb@hotmail.com Important Websites www.oklahomaadoptioncoalition.org www.shaohannahshope.org mailto:yojhump@cox.netmailto:ourrbl@aol.commailto:Praz2Him_1@hotmail.commailto:luv2tellsallyb@hotmail.comhttp://www.oklahomaadoptioncoalition.orghttp://www.shaohannahshope.orgshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5

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