Witnessing Hearts being 'Handled with Prayer'

MIKAEL KRISTENSON/magdeleine.com

By Kenneth Grace

As a boy growing up near The Palmetto Campus of the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes, I had a first- hand experience in seeing how this ministry works. My childhood was greatly impacted by Sunday school teachers at Palmetto Baptist Church who worked at the local GBCH&FM campus.

I was amazed at their willingness to sacrifice their entire lifestyle for the sake of ministering to children in need. I still live near the Palmetto Campus and now attend Palmetto Baptist Church with my wife and children.

I have seen hundreds of Children’s Home children come and go through our church doors over the years. While I never knew their background, I knew that they often came from hard circumstances with fragile hearts. Despite their situation, it was amazing to see many of them accept Christ and receive a new hope and a new beginning!

Looking back, I realize that there were so many people praying for these kids. Their fragile hearts were being handled with prayer! It is overwhelming to think that if not for the ministries of GBCH&FM, many of these children may have never heard the Gospel or had the opportunity to make a decision of faith.

Being involved with the Children’s Home for most of my life, I can honestly say that my family and my church have received far more from the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes than we have given through the years. The impact from both the children and the leaders of the local campus is tremendous. It has helped shape the culture and character of our church.

I think about James 1:27 and consider it our calling to support the ministries of the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes. I now have the privilege to serve as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home and this responsibility allows me to experience the impact and life change that is occurring through each ministry on a more personal level.

Most of our Baptist churches support various mission organizations throughout the world.  I cannot think of a more worthy cause than to support the local families and children of the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes.  For many years, our church has supported the GBCH&FM directly from our operating budget. The Children’s Home does not receive funding from the Cooperative Program, so I ask that you strongly consider supporting this ministry through your prayers and financial gifts.

These fragile hearts need your prayers. I can share with you that the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes has made a great impact on my family and an even greater impact on the children that it serves!

Kenneth Grace serves as board chair for Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc.