Family Christian Ministries
• FCM is committed to hands-on orphan care both internationally and domestically. Stateside, one of our ministry partners is Goshen Valley Boys Ranch in Waleska, Georgia. • John 16:33 brings hope to the foster boys served by the Ranch: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” • The Ranch has been home and sanctuary to over 150 boys for over ten years. • Currently, the Ranch cares for 33 young men in 6 homes on their campus and 4 additional young men living in independent housing through the North Georgia New Beginnings Program. • Two Family Christian employees have adopted boys from the Ranch.
He experiences TRAUMA
in the custody of the State of Georgia
NOT BY CHOICE but by the circumstances of
TRAUMA ABUSE & NEGLECT.
• No matter how these relationships were broken, mended or severed forever, the blessing of relationships is the key for true healing.
FCM Mission Trips to Goshen Valley build lasting relationships between team members, the boys and GVBR staff members.
Remembrances from a mission trip‌
It was Thursday evening in communion service. Already the music was connecting us to God in worship. And then some of the house parents stepped forward and served. We dipped bread into the grape juice, and watched as the stain soaked deep into the morsel. Then we returned to our seats to eat, drink, reflect and pray. However, I moved to the back and side of the pavilion stepping onto the grass over by the edge of a tree-covered slope. Emotion was welling up inside of me and spilling over in tears running down my cheeks. As I stood there weeping silently, I felt an arm slip across my shoulders. It was Richie. Richie, who had gotten me up front to sing in talent night, and then abandoned me to sing a solo; Richie, who frequently throughout the week touched an arm or a shoulder and said, "How are you?" And now Richie, one of the boys whom we had come to comfort, console and encourage, was comforting me. On a Ranch of boys who were there because of angry outbursts or abuse, or abandonment, here was a young man of maturity and sensitivity to the needs of others. And he had the courage to actually reach out to an adult old enough to be his grandmother. Surely, here is a future counselor or minister / shepherd in the making!
On Monday evening, our team served dinner to the staff and children from the Ranch. I served food to a 17 year-old boy. A few minutes later, I returned and he had a soft drink. I told him in Mama G's house, you couldn't have anything to drink until you finished eating all your food. He laughed and told me I was mean mama. From that point on, he called me "Mama!" If he came to the barn and didn't see me, he'd ask everyone, "Have you seen my Mama"? People would come to me and say, "Your son is looking for you." We were together much of the time whether on work projects, during free periods, or eating meals. He told me about his childhood (that he didn't really have one), some of his interests and hopes for the future. I told him we had to pray together, to which he replied, "Oh, Lord!" I said, "That's exactly who I'm calling on!" I'm greatly impressed and affected by the boys and the staff at the Ranch. The boys pick "at" each other, pull pranks on each other, protected each other, just like brothers - regardless of race, creed, or nationality. The house parents and staff are some of the most selfless people you could ever meet. Goshen Valley is a place where castaway children are comforted and where they find compassion from committed followers of Christ.
• FCM’s first project was to convert horse stalls in the barn into classrooms for the boys and housing for visitors. • FCM mission teams have made improvements all across the Ranch: boys’ residences, gardens, ball fields, remodel of Fogel Lubert House for boys working toward independence… • Major source of funding for Permanency Initiative Staffing. • Major source of funding for Hope Program: creating a home for boys who’ve aged out of foster care. • Major source of funding for two respite couples and reconfiguration of their living quarters. • Purchase of two vehicles to transport the boys.
Our partnership embraces the character-based principles of , , and to serve the boys God brings our way.
Family Christian Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Family Christian to meet the needs of orphans and widows in the communities it serves and around the world. Family Christian partners with their customers in a shared mission; reaching out to orphans and widows, showing them the love of our Heavenly Father. Through the Foundation, Family Christian customers participate in various in-store promotions. Family Christian Ministries serves orphans and widows in four primary ways: • adoption assistance programs • hands-on orphan and widow care work • quality of life improvements for orphans and widows • encourage the Church to fulfill God’s commitments to orphans and widows