Stand Saturday - An Opportunity of a Life

Stand Saturday - An Opportunity of a Life

During a gathering at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els introduced a significant message centered around the concept of "Stand Saturday," an extension of "Stand Sunday," aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need to support vulnerable children in foster care. The teaching drew on biblical principles and personal testimonies to encourage the congregation to actively engage in addressing this critical issue within their community and beyond.

The core of the message was delivered through the powerful story of Susie Boyle, a regional manager for Fostering the Family and a guardian ad litem. She recounted her personal journey of becoming involved in the life of a young neighbor, Kennedy, who was placed in foster care after her family was separated due to abuse. Boyle’s narrative highlighted the systemic challenges and emotional distress faced by children in the foster care system, including frequent moves, multiple caseworkers, and a lack of consistent adult advocacy.

Boyle’s experience ultimately led her to become a guardian ad litem, serving as a voice for children in court and advocating for their best interests. Her work with Fostering the Family further amplified her commitment to this cause, leading to meetings with state officials to work on improving the foster care and adoption system. Her personal "tattoos" of life’s challenges, contrasting with her children’s chosen tattoos bearing meaningful verses, symbolized the enduring impact of life experiences and the power of faith-based principles. Her daughter's tattoo, "Be the Light," encapsulated the call to positive action, while her foster child’s tattoo of Jeremiah 29:11 reflected hope and a future.

Following Boyle's compelling testimony, the teaching shifted to a direct call to action for the congregation. Matthew Vander Els emphasized that as Christians, they are called to love and engage with those who are suffering, rather than remaining at a distance. He pointed out the widespread foster care crisis, suggesting that if every church in America supported just one foster family, the crisis could be significantly alleviated. He acknowledged that becoming a foster parent is a profound commitment but stressed that there are numerous other ways to support foster families and vulnerable children.

The teaching explored the biblical basis for this call to action, referencing James 1:27, which defines true religion as looking after orphans and widows in their distress. Furthermore, it drew parallels with the early church’s actions in the Roman Empire, where Christians rescued and cared for abandoned children, demonstrating a historical precedent for this kind of compassionate engagement. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 was also invoked, urging listeners not to be "lazy servants" who bury their gifts but to actively invest what they have been given to expand God’s kingdom on earth. The message underscored that the kingdom of heaven is not just a future hope but a present reality that should manifest in care and action for the vulnerable.

The speaker challenged the congregation to consider how they would respond to the reality of the foster care crisis, emphasizing that foster children are present in their communities every day, often unseen. The call was not based on guilt or pity but on a sense of responsibility to act on the information presented. Several avenues for involvement were proposed, ranging from raising awareness to becoming foster parents, guardian ad litems, or members of care communities that support foster families.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Pray for foster families and vulnerable children regularly. Recognizing the emotional and practical challenges they face and asking for God's intervention and support.
• Become an ambassador for foster care awareness. Share information about the foster care crisis with friends, family, and on social media to educate others about the need.
• Explore the possibility of becoming a foster parent. Attend informational meetings to understand the realities and requirements involved in opening your home to a child in need.
• Consider serving as a volunteer guardian ad litem. Advocate for the best interests of a foster child in the court system, providing them with a consistent and caring adult voice.
• Join or create a care community to support a foster family. Offer practical help such as providing meals, childcare, transportation, or assistance with household chores to alleviate the burdens on foster parents.
• Be open to doing anything possible, no matter how small. Even seemingly small acts of kindness and support can make a significant difference in the lives of foster children and their caregivers. This could include donating to organizations that support foster care, offering occasional babysitting, or simply offering words of encouragement.
• Educate yourself about the local foster care system. Understand the specific needs and challenges within your own community to identify the most effective ways to help.
• Support churches and organizations that have foster care ministries. Contribute your time, talents, or resources to established efforts that are already making a difference.
• Show empathy and understanding towards foster children and foster families. Recognize that these are often complex and emotionally challenging situations, and offer compassion and support without judgment.
• Live out the principles of James 1:27 in practical ways. Actively seek opportunities to care for the vulnerable in your community, reflecting the heart of true faith.

References

Bible Verses

• James 1:27
• Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)
• Mark 1:15
• Jeremiah 29:11

Books and Resources

• The Bible by various authors
• Fostering the Family (nonprofit organization) - no specific book mentioned, but information about the organization was central to the teaching. A general search might be relevant for the user to find out more about them: Fostering the Family
• FitFam (Founded in Truth's foster and adoption ministry) - this is a ministry within the fellowship, not an external resource available on Amazon.

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