Georgia Baptist Children's Homes offer hope for a lifetime

The story is told of an orphanage years ago where life was cheap, compassion was non-existent and brutality and abuse were commonplace. A little boy who resided there was seen by one of the guardians throwing a piece of paper over the wall. The boy was immediately taken to the office of the superintendent of the orphanage to await certain punishment for such an act was considered an offense requiring disciplinary action.

In a harsh voice the superintendent directed an employee to go find the paper. Within moments a folded piece of paper was delivered to the stern, unyielding superintendent. He unfolded the paper expecting to read some plaintive plea for help or a request to be rescued from the confining institution he managed.

To the implacable superintendent’s astonishment the words scribbled on the paper were: “To whoever gets this paper, I love you.”

The note certainly verifies one of the basic needs of the human soul – to love and to be loved. Tragically, some of the social institutions of the past were not known as citadels of love and hope.

Thankfully, times are different and things have changed, but our Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes have always been known for providing children loving care in a wonderful Christian environment. In fact, the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. have been reaching out to hurting children and broken families since 1872 and serve over 1,000 children and families each year.

Kenneth Dobbs, president and CEO of this ministry, said, “The children in our care come to us from many different circumstances. Our mission is to provide hope and healing in the name of Jesus Christ to those who need a place of safety and shelter.”

In a telephone interview, Chris Hobbs with the agency reported that 54 of their residents made professions of faith last year. The staff rejoices in what God is doing in the lives of the boys and girls who reside on all three campuses.

I had the privilege of visiting the Meansville campus of our children’s home for Ken Dobbs’ ten-year anniversary celebration. The staff and the children were responsible for the event’s planning and production and I was impressed with the way the children took ownership of the celebration and the obvious affection they had for him and other staff members. This ministry not only proclaims a message of love and hope, but they provide and practice what they preach.

When I was growing up as a Royal Ambassador in our church a popular slogan for the organization was “It is better to build boys than mend men.” Our Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes are rescuing boys and girls from some rather desperate situations and helping to build them into young people with a bedrock faith and Christian values.

One sterling example of what God has done through our children’s homes is Mary York. She was a resident in the home in Baxley from 1953 to 1962. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior while she was there. Mary went on to Berry College, married, graduated, and got a good job with Panasonic Corp. as an operations manager.

Mary is now retired and living with her husband in Toccoa and serving faithfully in Grace Church as a member of the missions team, kitchen team, and goes witnessing with her FAITH team. The Yorks have two grown sons and four grandchildren. Mary says, “I would not have had much hope without the Baptist Children’s Home.”

The glowing grandmother, who has served on the board of trustees of the children’s homes, adds, “Baptists have never spent a better dollar than the dollars they spend supporting the ministry of the Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. I am so very grateful for what the people in the Baxley home have meant to me.”