Children’s home provides ‘a place to call home’

LITTLE ROCK – According to Psalm 84:3, “even the sparrow has found a home. …” That’s why the ministry of the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home (ABCHomes) is so important – it provides children a place to call their own home. 

David Perry, ABCHomes executive director, shared a report Tuesday, Nov. 1, to messengers attending the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting.

“Many of the children that come into our care at the children’s home, boys ranch, or one of our emergency shelters are looking for a place to call home. Like the sparrow, they are seeking a place of affection, security, refuge and rest,” said Perry.   

“For 117 years, Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes have been providing places to call home for thousands of children.”

Through giving to support the ABCHomes ministry, Arkansas Baptists make a difference. 

Perry said 78 children called the Arkansas Baptist Home for children in Monticello “home” last year. At the Arkansas Baptist Boys Ranch, another 43 boys had a home. 

“You might think the 192 children cared for in our emergency shelters would never call those places a home, but they do,” said Perry. “Children like 14-year-old Michael. After living in one of our shelters for a few weeks he told his housefather, ‘I wish you would stop calling this a shelter.  I’ve been in shelters, this is no shelter – this is a home.’”  

What’s more, Perry noted that 42 children “found an eternal place to call home as they accepted Christ as savior.”

Perry added that another important aspect of the ABCHomes ministry is the Promise Home, which is marking its 20^th anniversary in 2011. The Promise House is a home for unwed mothers.