Each foster parent in the state of Alabama is required to keep a book for each child they care for while in their home—a book of photos and small but significant memories the child can take with them on their journey to a permanent home. They are called “Life Books.

The Berrys had no idea God would lead them to Alabama Baptist Children's Homes (ABCH), but a few years later, here they are, regular donors to our ministry and also newly signed up to begin foster parent training

"My favorite part about ABCH is, not only are they making a difference in the lives of children and families, but these kids are hearing the Gospel and seeing it lived out!

Over the course of 35+ years, Jimmie and Martha Harris estimate they’ve been able to serve and care for around 300 children through Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH), in Gardendale for a season and then largely on our Decatur campus as they care for school-aged girls.

Quanicia and her daughter, Briella, recently graduated from our Family Care program in Gardendale. Upon leaving, she decided to write a letter to future residents.

Renee Cartlidge, Administrative Assistant in Dothan, shares about her experience at Camp of Champions as a former foster parent herself, as well as some of the testimonies she’s heard from other foster families throughout her time on staff.

Recently in Oxford, we had FIVE decisions made for Christ in our Shelter Care home! We had the opportunity to interview Debbie Thacker, recently retired house parent, who was serving these kids at the time. She shares in our excitement over their salvations!

We are excited for you to hear from one of our former employees who chooses to support children and families in need in Alabama, even though he lives states away!

Camp of Champions 2018 was a blast! This year was a huge success, and once again, it was our largest camp ever with 995 attendees (that's 162 more than last year)!

When we came in, though, there were bedsheets, blankets, clothes, towels, and Valencia even had a teddy bear waiting for my little girl on her bed. I didn’t think we’d even have our own room, so it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders to walk into our room.”

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Amy, a mom at Grace’s House of Hope, our Family Care home in Mobile, clung to this verse in a recent season of life.

It’s easy to think of going international when talking about missions—but missions can happen right in our own backyard. And that’s what one small group from The Church at Brook Hills is doing.

A Family Care mom shares her experience at our Family Care home.

“We don’t know all the abuses she’s really endured because she was passed around so much.” Kim McGainey Area Director of Southeast Alabama shares this about 15 year-old, Kari*

Alabama Baptist Children's Homes (ABCH) social worker, Elizabeth Williams, has been a tremendous blessing to our Dothan families for years. Beginning in 2017, she began serving children and families in the newest frontier of our foster care ministry, which has taken root in the Auburn-Opelika region!

For two brothers this year, Jaxon* and Luke*, years of instability came to an end. Because of mitigating circumstances that prevented them from being reunified with their parents, their stay in foster care was longer than expected.

Emily Lepper came into our care in Decatur as a hurting and angry 16 year-old. Not only did she finish high school and college with us, but she also came to know Christ

Missions had always been on Ricky and Debbie Thacker’s hearts, and going somewhere overseas had been something they talked about doing when they retired. God certainly called them to missions—but little did they realize it was just a few minutes away from where they lived.

Dru and Chereta are single moms who are hard working, bright, articulate, hopeful, and loving. And for each of them, for different reasons, they found themselves homeless and scared about their futures before getting connected to our Family Care ministry in Mobile.