ALL GLORY TO THE GIVER OF GOOD GIFTS!

 Have you ever received a gift from someone who has clearly been gathering things for you over a period of time? With every reach into the gift bag, there is yet another item perfectly folded in tissue paper, and as you open it, the sense of amazement grows in the creativity and thoughtfulness the giver has. The giver clearly sees you and knows your heart.That is how I feel about my new role as the central lead of our Adoption and Foster Care Ministry.  

Over many years, God has been collecting moments, relationships, and conversations that are now being fully realized, each one like a treasure coming out of the gift bag. For me, the passion to care for vulnerable children and families truly ignited in 2013 when our family stepped into loving children and their biological families impacted by foster care. In doing so, we quickly found ourselves partnered with EveryChild and leading out initiatives to care for vulnerable children by supporting the families, organizations, and state workers that were on the front lines. It was in our partnership with EveryChild, while in ministry at another local church, we often found ourselves collaborating and serving with leaders and volunteers from Willamette's AFC ministry. And throughout our foster care and adoption journey, Willamette's AFC ministry cared for and supported our family in a way that continues to fuel my desire to extend wraparound care and support to all of our foster and adoptive families.

Our now family of 8 has been so blessed over the last 2.5 years as we have folded into Hope City Church, where my husband, Jeremy, is the Campus Pastor. During this time, I have had the great joy of getting to join worship teams across all four campuses, as well as lead worship for our women's events and, in that, the feeling of family has only expanded. And it is with great excitement that, as the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry Lead, I now get to partner with leadership and volunteers at each location to support and care for our current foster and adoptive families and inspire and facilitate our church body to engage with the community organizations and initiatives that serve vulnerable children and families.

I am looking forward to what God has in store as we join His heart to care for the least of these. All Glory to the Giver of this good gift!!!!

May we know, love, and follow Jesus together,

Kristina Thom
AFC Ministry Lead