By Jocelyn, Director of Church Engagement
Before we ever stepped into foster care, we were just your typical Christian family. Our days were very full—raising two little ones, settling into our first home, finding rhythm in the routine. But something stirred in us. We couldn’t shake the conviction that Christian families and foster care belong together—and that God was calling us to live that out in real time.
Some close friends of ours had started fostering, and we watched them adopt two little girls. Being part of their support system grew the desire in us to get more involved. Conversations started. Hesitation lingered. Prayers follow. And God continued to bring peace and encouragement to keep leaning in.
Our Introduction to the Foster Care Journey
When we moved back to San Antonio, Ricky and I were praying for direction. God led us to Grace Point Church—right as they were launching a foster care ministry. That wasn’t a coincidence. That was God flinging the door wide open to take the leap.
Christian Families Can Face the Fear and Step In
At the time, our kids—Noah and Naomi—were still little and we were nervous. The unknowns of how fostering might affect them weighed heavily on us. On top of that, we faced of pushback from our families. Why bring pain into your home? Why expose your kids to trauma? Standing firm in obedience wasn’t easy when people we loved questioned our decision.
But God surrounded us with people who had already walked this road. Jennifer and her family, our trainers like Linda—they didn’t sugarcoat it. They told us the truth and gave us wisdom. That’s what helped us feel equipped. That’s what helped us trust God in the unknown.
Foster Parenting Is a Call to Surrender
Then came Mikey, our first foster placement.
I loved him like my own. I held onto him tightly as we cared for him his first year of life. But as his case progressed, God made it clear—he was meant to be with his biological father. Letting go felt like being torn apart. But God softened my heart. He gave me peace. He helped me love Mikey’s father. That kind of surrender doesn’t come from us—it comes from the Spirit.
I didn’t think I could do it. And I was right, I could not, but He could. Only God. That moment changed everything in me. My heart, my posture, everything.
When Foster Care Pushes You to the Edge
Later, we fostered two boys—N and C—who had been through severe abuse and neglect. It was the hardest year of our lives. They didn’t know how to receive love. They fought against every act of care. The trauma showed up daily. And it drained us.
Ricky and I had to learn how to tag team everything—emotionally, physically, spiritually. We prayed constantly for wisdom and endurance. The case dragged on and on. Just when we thought it was ending, we were told they would need adoption.
We didn’t feel called to adopt them—but we loved them deeply. That tension nearly broke us. But God made a way. Their aunt and uncle stepped forward. I built a relationship with their aunt, flew with the boys and their caseworkers to New York, and helped them settle into their new home. It was painful. It was right. And God was in every detail.
Faith and Foster Care: What Our Family Learned
Our families fostering journey and later adopting three kids has shaped Noah and Naomi in ways we never could have taught them with words. Compassion. Maturity. An understanding of pain and hope that most teenagers don’t have. Their view of people and the world around them is through a lens of love not judgement. They’ve been a part of walking through hard things as a family and leaning on Jesus in the process.
Christian families and foster care are a powerful combination—not because we have it all together, but because we know Who holds us together. We’ve learned to live on mission as a family. And God has used that to bond us, stretch us, and mature us.
A Message for Christian Families Considering Foster Care
If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of fostering, that’s okay. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. You’re just supposed to obey the next step. These children are worth it. Your family’s obedience matters. And God will walk with you every step of the way.
This journey has been messy, painful, and deeply holy. It’s brought us to the end of ourselves—and deeper into the heart of God.
