Helping Children in Crisis Shine

By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO

Regretfully, there are thousands of children across the Commonwealth of Kentucky who are abused and neglected on a daily basis. It is estimated to be 7,000 per year. They suffer 24/7 from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. We wish these tragic circumstances would go away, but they do not. In fact, they are escalating resulting in the continued disintegration of families.

Fortunately, we Kentucky Baptists have a solution which includes providing these children a safe place to stay in the care of people who love them and give them hope, which in turn results in healing and the opportunity to mature and live fulfilled lives as adults toward a brighter future. Currently Sunrise cares for more than 2,000 of these children in crisis each year through its comprehensive scope of services.

Sunrise Children’s Services is the oldest Southern Baptist related children’s ministry dating back to its beginning in 1869 when the women of Louisville’s Walnut Street Baptist Church stepped out to do “more for Christ” and opened up a shelter for children left orphaned by the Civil War. It is the only agency of its kind in Kentucky that provides a comprehensive, continuum of care.

So many things have changed in the generations since 1869, including the kind of care most children need today. In the 1800’s there was care for orphans; in the early 1900’s there was care for poverty stricken and abandoned children. Today we face challenges best met through foster homes and residential programs. What hasn’t changed is the mandate for us Kentucky Baptists to provide solutions to children who continue to suffer from abuse and neglect. This is no easy task, and it can be accomplished best by cooperation. Indeed, we can do “more for Christ” together than we can alone. So, let’s do it.

How can you plug into being a part of this Christ-honoring solution? First, include in your prayers interim president Dale Suttles, the staff and the volunteer board members who give leadership to this vital ministry. Second, be sure to make a generous contribution through your church or directly to the special SHINE emphasis on Mother’s Day. Third, call toll free 855.334.2273 for information about becoming a foster parent. Finally, call toll free Laurie Valentine or me about making this vital ministry to children a part of your legacy through your estate plan. We look forward to your call.

For more information, please call us at (502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533.

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.

Refuge…Love…Hope…Healing

By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO

   

Regretfully, there are thousands of children across the Commonwealth of Kentucky who are abused and neglected on a daily basis. They suffer 24/7 from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. We wish these tragic circumstances would go away, but they do not. In fact, they are escalating. There is evidence the Commonwealth leads the nation in the number of deaths directly related to abuse and neglect.

Fortunately, we Kentucky Baptists have a solution which includes providing these children a safe place to stay ( a refuge), in the care of people who love them and give them hope, which in turn results in healing and the opportunity to mature and live fulfilled lives as adults toward a brighter future.

Sunrise Children’s Services is the oldest Southern Baptist related children’s ministry dating back to its beginning in 1869 when the women of Louisville’s Walnut Street Baptist Church stepped out to do “more for Christ” and opened up a shelter for children left orphaned by the Civil War.

So many things have changed in the generations since then, including the kind of care most children need today. The days of orphanages are past, and we now face challenges best met through foster homes and residential programs. What hasn’t changed is the mandate for us Kentucky Baptists to provide solutions to children who continue to suffer from abuse and neglect. This is no easy task, and it can be accomplished best by cooperation. Indeed, we can do “more for Christ” together than we can alone.

How can you plug into being a part of this Christ-honoring solution? First, include President Bill Smithwick, the staff and the volunteer board members who give leadership to this vital ministry in your prayers. Second, be sure make a generous contribution through your church or directly to the Thanksgiving Offering which benefits this ministry. Third, call 855.334.2273 for information about becoming a foster parent. Finally, call Laurie Valentine or me about making Sunrise a part of your estate stewardship plan.

Kentucky’s Abused Children Deserve Our Care

By: Barry G. Allen- President and CEO

Recently a friend showed me a souvenir of the 24th anniversary of the organization of the Louisville Baptist Orphan’s Home held on June 30, 1893. It included a letter from Mary Hollingsworth, superintendant since its 1869 beginning. It stated “A year ago we had fifty-eight children dependent upon our charity; today we have eighty-two children to care for, and children are coming almost daily. This means additional burdens for us as a people, and we must do this noble work God has placed in our care, for to Him we are indebted for all that we have, and we must help these dear children by giving liberally of our substance. Our work is increasing each day, and of course our expenses of necessity will increase. We appeal to the friends of our Home everywhere, to give liberally for the support of the Home, as we need that help now.”

Just last week I received a communication from Dr. Bill Smithwick, President/CEO of Sunrise Children’s Services, successor of the Louisville Baptist Orphan’s Home, with some startling statistics about children today. Did you realize thousands of Kentucky children go to bed each night and wake up in homes where proper love and concern are absent, where physical, sexual and emotional abuse is common, and where the hope for a brighter tomorrow grows dimmer with each passing day? There have been more than 15,000 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect, and Kentucky led the nation last year in the rate of child abuse and neglect deaths.

Since 1869 we Kentucky Baptists have been caring for children through this vital ministry. Last year more than 2,000 turned to Sunrise for help. Although the types of care required have changed since Superintendant Hollingsworth appealed in 1893 for financial support, the necessity of “giving liberally of our substance” has not changed. Please join my wife and me and make a liberal contribution to the Thanksgiving Children’s Offering on which this ministry depends. Make an impact for Christ’s sake and for the sake of these children.