What is Spokane127?
Spokane127 is a program of the Spokane Fatherhood Initiative that is rooted in the biblical principles of adoption and hospitality found in James 1:27:
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27 (NLT)
The goal of Spokane127 is to connect families within the Church to agencies that serve the needs of broken families so that there is a family waiting for every child in need. Additionally, Spokane127 seeks to connect, encourage and equip those families called to serve. It is our passion that the Christian community serve lost and broken families in Spokane by sharing the love and hope of Christ.
Spokane127 believes that God has chosen at least 100 families in Spokane County to serve as a safe family, a foster family or an adoptive family. With over 400 churches in this region, the goal of recruiting 100 families will be easily met if just one church in four lifted up a family to answer this call. Spokane127 seeks to convert the current shortage of supportive families into a surplus. We believe Spokane will become known as a community with more families than children in need.
How does Spokane127 work?
Spokane127 encourages Christians and churches to connect to local agencies that serve children and families in Spokane. These three organizations have been selected as key partners:
Safe Families
Temporary, emergency care for children; family coaching.
Fostering WA
Recruit and retain state-supported foster families.
What can your church do?
Spokane127 is asking churches for the opportunity to share our message so the Holy Spirit can move and reveal the families God has already chosen. We pray that churches adopt a church-wide culture of orphan care, rather than create a new ministry that appeals to just a few.
While not every family can serve children in need by opening its home, every member of every church can do something. Within a culture of orphan care, those families that host children are supported by a team that offers financial help, transportation, respite care, child care, home repairs and assistance in many other ways.