Called to Care: Opening Your Heart to Vulnerable Children through Foster Care, Adoption, and Other Life-Giving Ways

Individuals, families, and churches are seeking ways they can respond to the biblical mandate to care for the least of these. The desire to help children coming from difficult situations is a necessary starting point, but what comes next? This book gives tips for assessing your readiness and offers advice on foster care, adoption, and caring for refugees.

More and more individuals, families, and churches are seeking ways they can respond to the biblical mandate to care for "the least of these." The desire to help children coming from difficult situations is a necessary starting point, but what comes next? You need to know the steps for getting involved and what will truly help.

Filled with real-life stories and practical advice, Called to Care starts by helping you honestly assess your motivation to help--sometimes the wrong motivation sets the stage for an unsuccessful experience. From there, the book shows what adoption and foster care really look like in a variety of situations, from domestic and international adoptions to short-term foster care and foster-to-adopt arrangements. Also included is how churches and individuals can minister to refugees. Rounding out this comprehensive yet concise book are tips for assessing your preparedness, how to meet common emotional and physical challenges, and the most effective ways to help families stay together and thrive.

Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive.  We believe every child deserves to be loved, connected, and empowered through family.