Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Has caring for orphans passed from the purview of the church to the state? If you’ve never considered adoption to be a “Christian issue,” Russell Moore would like you to reconsider! Listen in as he discusses this today on Home School Heartbeat, with host Mike Smith.

Bonus Interview Segments with Mary Ostyn and Dr. Russell Moore

Click the links to hear extra, online-only interview segments with our guests from the two weeks of this series on adoption, homeschooling mother Mary Ostyn, and author Russell Moore.

Mary Ostyn Interview >>
Russell Moore Interview >>

Mike Smith:
Dr. Moore, the subtitle of your book, Adopted for Life is, The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches. Now, why is adoption a significant issue especially for Christians?

Dr. Russell Moore:
Well, it’s because James 1:27 tells us that every Christian has a responsibility to care for widows and orphans. And that’s going to look different for different people. Not everybody’s called to adopt; not everybody’s called to foster children. But everybody’s called to care for orphans and for widows. So, the first step I think for any Christian is simply to start praying: “God, how would You have me to care for orphans?” Because we all were spiritual orphans ourselves.

And so, for some people that’s going to mean adoption. You’ve got room at that table for another person there next year. Or, for some people that’s going to mean mission trips or it’s going to mean providing financial resources to families who are adopting. For some, it’s going to mean just going and holding those babies and children who might not even be adoptable, but who need the presence of Christ!

And so, the first step is not a program, it’s not a new ministry. It’s simply asking, “Lord, how would you call me to show the same compassion that You showed to me in Christ in adopting me into Your family, to the orphans of the world?” And there are hundreds of millions of orphans out there that need the compassion of the body of Christ.

Mike:
Well, that’s such a great reminder of the compassion of God. Thanks for sharing that, Dr. Moore. Listeners, tune in next time to find out more how this could impact your life! And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.