By Marc Eichelberger, LBCH Communications
MONROE – “Where are the children who need us and how can we meet their needs?”
This question expresses the heart and vision of the leadership of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries.
In May, Children’s Home trustees voted to expand the current network of foster care and adoption ministries across the state. The first strategic steps have been taken to reach greater numbers of Louisiana children who need love, care, and a positive Christian witness.
Alice’ McCullin Harper and Courtney Eichelberger have been added to the Children’s Home ministry team. Alice’ and Courtney will serve as full-time Louisiana Baptist Foster & Adoption Network regional social workers.
Alice will cover the central Louisiana region and work out of Alexandria/Pineville. Courtney will cover the south Louisiana region and work out of Baton Rouge. Other social workers will be added in the future to provide complete statewide coverage.
Alice’ completed her Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University. She has extensive experience working with children in clinical, non-profit, and faith-based settings. Alice’ has served as a Children’s Ministry Intern at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, where her husband, Derrick, serves as Media Assistant.
Courtney completed her Master of Social Work degree from Kennesaw State University and is completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has extensive experience working with children and families, recently serving in Georgia as social worker/counselor at the Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb County and the Cherokee County Family Violence Center.
Alice’ and Courtney are available to assist churches in developing foster, adoption, and orphan care ministries. They will recruit and train prospective foster and adoptive families and complete their home studies. They will also provide support and encouragement to certified foster and adoptive families.
Specialized training will be offered for maternity foster families caring for girls 17 and under who are facing a crisis pregnancy.
Additional trauma care training will be provided for foster families ministering to children victimized by human trafficking.
Alice’ and Courtney are committed to networking Louisiana Baptist churches and families in their regions of the state to answer God’s call to care for hurting children.
There are 4,500 children in Louisiana state foster care with only half that number of adequate placement homes available. Over 300 of those children need an adoptive family.
These are very real children who desperately need the love and hope that Louisiana Baptist churches and families can provide!
Please consider joining the Louisiana Baptist Foster & Adoption “Network” of churches and families. You may contact Alice’ at 318-307-2528 or aharper@lbch.org or Courtney at 225-454-4648 or courtney@lbch.org. Through Foster Care, Adoption, and Orphan Care ministries, you and your church can change a child’s life – forever!