The Open Door

Mother’s Day among Georgia Baptists is a very special day of worship and celebration of our mothers and the importance of the Christian home. It is also a very special day because it is on Mother’s Day that we receive an offering for the outstanding ministry of our Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. I encourage you to read on through this article and you will see why it is important that you give generously to this great ministry.

In 2007, Dr. James S. Harper was selected by the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. to serve as the successor to Dr. Kenneth Dobbs as the president and chief executive officer of this unique ministry. Dr. Harper has served in numerous positions throughout his twenty-three years with the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for maintaining all financial functions of the agency. I have great confidence in James Harper and believe that we will continue to see the superb ministry that we have seen in previous years through our Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes.

I want you to be aware of all that is being done in this ministry, so I will list for you the various programs that so positively impact the children and young people. As you read through these, I want you to be aware that we served 447 children through the statewide residential programs and, in 2007, 64 of the children made professions of faith in Christ.

Campus Residential Programs: These ministries provide residential care for troubled children, youth, and families. The focus on the three campuses is to provide for basic physical needs and assistance with personal development and spiritual growth.

Group Home Residential Care: These group homes are located across the state and have the capacity to serve five to eight children.

Maternity Care: This ministry provides a safe place for pregnant young women and their children.

Emergency Shelters: These are located in Thomaston and Douglas in order to respond to immediate placement needs for children and youth.

Diagnostic and Assessment Program: This program meets the needs of children and youth with more severe mental health and behavioral issues.

Camp Hawkins: This is a summer camping program designed to meet the needs of children with developmental disabilities. Also provided is weekend respite care called “Matthew’s Time” for children with more severe disabilities.

The Nelson Price Treatment Center: A ministry for teenagers and their families who are struggling with the problem of drugs and alcohol. A program is designed for teens and their parents through residential treatment.

Good Shepherd Therapeutic Center: Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this unique farm-based residential program for boys provides both short and long-term care and offers an outpatient therapeutic riding program.

Adoption Services: The agency is licensed to provide adoption services for infants and children. The Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries is partnered with Buckner Baptist Benevolences of Texas to offer adoption services for children living in foreign countries. These services are provided on a cost recovery basis.

Community Child and Adolescent Services: The agency offers a full range of coordinated mental health and community support services including individual counseling, family counseling, psychiatric services, nursing services, and pharmacological services.

Foster Care: The agency is licensed to place children in foster families throughout Georgia.

My prayer is that Georgia Baptists will give to this faithful ministry with a generous and caring heart on this Mother’s Day.