From time to time I am asked about the spiritual impact that Sunrise Children’s Services is making in the lives of the children we serve. Every day we work to meet very real needs. We provide warm meals, a soft bed, counseling, and loving care from our staff. We also celebrate amazing adoptions every year and help young people as they move toward independence. All of these things truly matter!

However, what is even more important is the spiritual impact that takes place in the hearts of the children we serve.

Last Sunday was a special day.

Two boys at Sunrise, whom we will call John and Travis to protect their privacy, made the decision to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Marcus Rogers, who serves in mission outreach at Southeast Christian Church Bullitt County Campus, spends time each week mentoring the boys. Through that relationship and the faithful presence of the church, both boys publicly declared their faith through baptism last Sunday.

What made the moment even more special was that Sunrise was able to reach out to family members. John’s parents came to church, and Travis’s grandparents made the trip to be there as well to witness the baptisms while also hearing the gospel. I have noticed from my time at Sunrise that when God changes a child’s heart, He often begins changing an entire family’s trajectory. It is an incredible thing to be a part of.

On the same day, the girls from our Glen Dale campus in Elizabethtown attended worship at Severns Valley Baptist Church where they heard a powerful message from Pastor Matt Beasley. After the service, one of the girls said, “I really like this church.” Another girl exclaimed, “What! This is their music band? I really like it.”

This is not just a Sunday morning story.

Every week, Sunrise foster children have the opportunity to attend church with their foster families. Churches and volunteers come onto our campuses regularly to bring devotionals. Seeds are planted every week.

It is true that God is working at Sunrise. You see, Sunrise is a different kind of agency. We care deeply about meeting physical and emotional needs, but we also believe the greatest healing moment happens when a child encounters the love of Christ. And in God’s kindness, like last Sunday, we received a glimpse of that eternal impact.

Written by Jake Pelfrey, Sunrise Vice President for Marketing and Advancement