Latest / Community Spotlight / Fostering Hope
Transcript
- 1 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:02.850 <v 0>The Light FM presents Community Spotlight,</v> 2 00:00:02.940 --> 00:00:06.810 a program designed to focus on what's important to you in your community. 3 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:10.170 Now here's Braxton with today's Community Spotlight. 4 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:14.040 <v 1>Alright, thanks for being here on the Light fm.</v> 5 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:16.410 We're going to spotlight the Greenville South Carolina. 6 00:00:16.530 --> 00:00:20.100 Upstate South Carolina today with Brenda Parks. 7 00:00:20.130 --> 00:00:25.080 She is from Miracle Hill Ministries and their family ministry center, 8 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:29.490 and excited to talk to her because there is a huge need, 9 00:00:29.850 --> 00:00:34.560 not just in the Greenville, Spartanburg, upstate South Carolina area, 10 00:00:34.570 --> 00:00:39.000 but all across the country, all across the world. But specifically today, 11 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:42.870 we're going to hear about how she and her team are able to impact their 12 00:00:42.870 --> 00:00:46.500 community through what they're doing in foster care. So Brenda, 13 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:47.370 appreciate you being here. 14 00:00:47.970 --> 00:00:50.400 <v 2>Thank you, Braxton. We're excited to be here too,</v> 15 00:00:50.400 --> 00:00:54.870 and especially during this season because this is foster care awareness month 16 00:00:54.870 --> 00:00:56.970 and so it makes it even more special. 17 00:00:57.150 --> 00:00:58.680 <v 1>Yeah, that's right. Good timing. Right.</v> 18 00:00:59.610 --> 00:01:00.443 <v 2>Right.</v> 19 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:01.770 <v 1>So tell me what you do,</v> 20 00:01:01.770 --> 00:01:06.480 and I understand that the Family Ministry center is kind of a new thing. 21 00:01:07.530 --> 00:01:12.300 It's so share what the need was and how this is able to help fit 22 00:01:12.300 --> 00:01:13.133 maybe a need. 23 00:01:13.530 --> 00:01:16.200 <v 2>Okay, sweet. Well, I am Brenda Parks.</v> 24 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:19.650 I'm the vice president of Children's Ministry at Miracle Hill Ministries. 25 00:01:19.650 --> 00:01:23.850 As you have stated in the state of South Carolina and the Family Ministry Center 26 00:01:23.880 --> 00:01:28.770 grew out of a desire to serve even deeper god's children and families. 27 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:33.780 We know brass thing that the children and families we serve many times are 28 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:34.613 estranged. 29 00:01:34.770 --> 00:01:39.720 So adult ministry offers care and support to our homeless 30 00:01:39.730 --> 00:01:44.460 and to those individuals who are experiencing substance abuse. And they, 31 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:45.480 of course, like I said, 32 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:50.250 are estranged from their families and we wanted to know what could we do to 33 00:01:50.250 --> 00:01:52.260 support them? How could we go deeper? 34 00:01:52.260 --> 00:01:56.250 And we felt that with the Family Ministry Center, we could provide counseling, 35 00:01:56.730 --> 00:02:01.260 we could provide parenting classes, we could provide an opportunity, 36 00:02:01.270 --> 00:02:05.880 a space, a warm and inviting space for children to visit with their parents. 37 00:02:06.240 --> 00:02:11.130 Here's a unique thing, Braxton. When children are removed from their families, 38 00:02:11.160 --> 00:02:13.530 it is required that they have visits, 39 00:02:13.530 --> 00:02:17.250 but sometimes those visits are held in sterile environments, 40 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:20.850 not warm and inviting. So one of the things we wanted, 41 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.500 we wanted kids to be kids and so we've created in the 42 00:02:25.710 --> 00:02:30.450 Family Ministry Center, which is located at 15 Regency Hill in Greenville, 43 00:02:30.720 --> 00:02:32.460 we created a room just for that, 44 00:02:32.850 --> 00:02:37.140 a warm and inviting room where parents can come and just relax, play kids. 45 00:02:37.260 --> 00:02:39.120 We even bought some very softballs. 46 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:43.620 They can throw games and we provide light refreshments. 47 00:02:44.070 --> 00:02:48.870 Kids can we invite them to take a book home with them because we want to 48 00:02:49.140 --> 00:02:52.320 be what God would have us to be. We want those parents to learn. 49 00:02:52.590 --> 00:02:55.320 The word of God tells us, train up a child the way they should go. 50 00:02:55.320 --> 00:02:58.920 So one of our efforts is to, while parents are loving on their children, 51 00:02:59.440 --> 00:03:01.450 we're staring them in how to connect, 52 00:03:01.990 --> 00:03:04.900 how to train those children up the way they should go by providing an 53 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:06.310 environment of that sort. 54 00:03:07.030 --> 00:03:07.720 <v 1>Yeah.</v> 55 00:03:07.720 --> 00:03:12.280 So tell me about the kind of needs that are in the 56 00:03:12.790 --> 00:03:17.620 community there specifically and what kind of stories 57 00:03:18.010 --> 00:03:22.930 or impact have you already seen God be able to do through these kind 58 00:03:22.930 --> 00:03:23.763 of things? 59 00:03:24.070 --> 00:03:24.903 <v 2>Yeah,</v> 60 00:03:25.210 --> 00:03:29.170 it's really exciting because one of the thing at the Family Ministry Center, 61 00:03:29.170 --> 00:03:30.280 I want to stress again, 62 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:34.180 is that we also offer a parenting class and we have 63 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:40.060 join together, collaborated with a local congregation, fellowship Greenville, 64 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:44.620 who have helped us with families count ministry and it's 65 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:45.670 a effort. 66 00:03:45.670 --> 00:03:50.320 A parenting class is a faith-based parenting class that helps families and helps 67 00:03:50.320 --> 00:03:50.980 parents. 68 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:55.750 And so one of the things that happens is that when children are removed again 69 00:03:55.750 --> 00:03:57.370 from their families, their parents, 70 00:03:57.370 --> 00:04:01.240 many times are required by the court to attend classes. 71 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:05.200 And so we're excited to report that we are getting ready to complete our very 72 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:07.960 first class. We had 15 in attendance, 73 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:11.290 a tremendous role call there, 74 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:15.160 and at the end of this roll call, what will happen is that we've now, 75 00:04:15.160 --> 00:04:19.630 mothers can go back and fathers too can go to the court and say, I did it. 76 00:04:20.140 --> 00:04:24.070 I feel stronger. Please consider the return of my children to us. 77 00:04:24.430 --> 00:04:29.260 And not only have we given them the tenets of what to do and how to parent and 78 00:04:29.290 --> 00:04:30.160 how to say no, 79 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:34.480 but we've taught them the importance of trusting God in this and of praying and 80 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:37.180 we've prayed with them, they've had mentors throughout it, 81 00:04:37.210 --> 00:04:38.890 so it's been good there as well. 82 00:04:39.580 --> 00:04:43.180 <v 1>And you'd say that's the ultimate goal is to return the children?</v> 83 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:46.900 <v 2>Right. Stability and resilience.</v> 84 00:04:47.530 --> 00:04:50.440 We want that children and families with Connect, 85 00:04:50.830 --> 00:04:53.380 they could be strong in the community, 86 00:04:53.710 --> 00:04:57.160 they could have their needs met and they could do what's necessary. 87 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:58.150 And that's another reason. 88 00:04:58.150 --> 00:05:02.590 If I could go on here at Braxton and tell you about providing for the children 89 00:05:02.590 --> 00:05:07.060 even when they're removed from their families. We have a foster care community. 90 00:05:07.810 --> 00:05:10.930 It's in Pumpkin Town in Pickens County. 91 00:05:10.930 --> 00:05:15.910 I like to describe it as a petrous area in the upstate lush 92 00:05:15.910 --> 00:05:16.743 green. 93 00:05:17.890 --> 00:05:22.330 And we provide that to families who are willing to have a love for the Lord 94 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:24.520 certainly and move into one of these houses. 95 00:05:24.520 --> 00:05:28.840 I've got two homes for whom I'm looking for families and take care of his 96 00:05:28.840 --> 00:05:29.470 children. 97 00:05:29.470 --> 00:05:34.390 The unique thing about the foster care community is that we ask families to be 98 00:05:34.400 --> 00:05:37.690 willing to take sibling groups. We know a lot of folks have siblings, 99 00:05:37.690 --> 00:05:41.470 brothers and sisters. I have brothers and sisters and I grew up with them. 100 00:05:41.470 --> 00:05:46.330 And even though we may have had some sibling rivalry as brothers and sisters, 101 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.450 we still wanted to be together and stay connected. 102 00:05:49.630 --> 00:05:51.190 And when kids come into foster care, 103 00:05:51.830 --> 00:05:54.430 it is not unreasonable that they're not placed together. 104 00:05:54.440 --> 00:05:58.100 So we saw it in our spirit and heart that we would do that we would provide a 105 00:05:58.100 --> 00:06:02.840 place where families can come. I like to think of it as domestic missionaries. 106 00:06:03.110 --> 00:06:07.730 It's a term I coined because I think of how individuals go to 107 00:06:07.730 --> 00:06:10.910 multitudes of countries and caring for God's people. 108 00:06:10.910 --> 00:06:14.690 But right here on these sacred soils in the United States, 109 00:06:14.870 --> 00:06:17.600 there are opportunities to serve and to care. 110 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:21.890 And we're looking for families who have a love for the Lord and a willingness to 111 00:06:21.890 --> 00:06:26.300 care for his children. We know that sometimes sibling groups, we actually, 112 00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:26.750 Braxton, 113 00:06:26.750 --> 00:06:31.700 listen just about two weeks ago we got a referral for a sibling group 114 00:06:31.710 --> 00:06:36.710 of seven seven. And so we were pleased that we had 115 00:06:36.710 --> 00:06:39.290 a family that said they could take five 116 00:06:40.820 --> 00:06:44.240 and we had another family that took the smallest two. 117 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.360 So both of the sibling groups, 118 00:06:48.110 --> 00:06:50.690 five or eight with one family and two are with another. 119 00:06:50.690 --> 00:06:55.370 So it gives us great pleasure to be able to 120 00:06:55.370 --> 00:06:58.520 fulfill God's call to care for his children in that community. 121 00:06:58.520 --> 00:07:00.650 And so if there's anybody listening, 122 00:07:01.640 --> 00:07:04.640 feel the need to maybe not go so far, 123 00:07:04.640 --> 00:07:08.630 but fulfill a call of loving God and being a domestic missionary, 124 00:07:08.640 --> 00:07:12.260 I'd love them to give me a call and just talk with me about it and at least let 125 00:07:12.260 --> 00:07:13.100 us pray about it. 126 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:17.840 <v 1>Yeah. So what all do you help provide to those domestic missionaries?</v> 127 00:07:17.840 --> 00:07:19.100 I know you said housing, 128 00:07:19.110 --> 00:07:23.420 but what are some of the other things that you kind of help take off their plate 129 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:24.253 or off their mind? 130 00:07:25.130 --> 00:07:29.900 <v 2>I appreciate you asking that too because one of the things that is we provide</v> 131 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:32.750 is we've got our from God to you ministry, 132 00:07:33.110 --> 00:07:35.300 which is our food warehouse, 133 00:07:35.750 --> 00:07:40.250 and so we afford the families the opportunity to go there twice a month and that 134 00:07:40.250 --> 00:07:42.080 helps certainly there they each, 135 00:07:42.080 --> 00:07:45.710 they have a care coordinator that's an individual that walks alongside them 136 00:07:45.710 --> 00:07:50.690 throughout the process when they've got a placement, advocating for them, 137 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:53.270 appealing for them, supporting them. 138 00:07:53.780 --> 00:07:56.180 We provide provisions for the children as needed. 139 00:07:56.390 --> 00:08:00.890 We have our thrift stores and we also provide for them through our thrift stores 140 00:08:00.890 --> 00:08:03.800 monthly at their request as well. 141 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:08.450 We also have churches who come around and wrap around them who support them also 142 00:08:08.450 --> 00:08:13.340 with going in and providing provisions for the families and for activities. 143 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:16.370 And twice a year we have a major event. 144 00:08:16.370 --> 00:08:20.900 We have our spring length for the families and we have our worship night as well 145 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:25.730 because we believe God would have us to support them and to 146 00:08:25.730 --> 00:08:28.790 pray with them and to enjoy them and to fellowship as well. 147 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:29.893 <v 1>Yeah.</v> 148 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:35.540 How long of a commitment is this and I guess some of those kind of things that 149 00:08:35.810 --> 00:08:36.980 parents might be thinking about? 150 00:08:38.150 --> 00:08:40.250 <v 2>So we ask, the one good thing,</v> 151 00:08:40.250 --> 00:08:43.010 as I love to think of it as it really is a great provision. 152 00:08:43.190 --> 00:08:45.620 If you have it in your spirit to do it, you can move in. 153 00:08:45.890 --> 00:08:48.260 We do ask for a minimum of two years. 154 00:08:48.770 --> 00:08:53.660 Notice I said minimum because it's endless as long as God would allow us 155 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:56.850 to provide, we've got great donors who see fit to do this. 156 00:08:58.290 --> 00:09:01.620 The house is there and they can have it as long as they're willing to care for 157 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:05.490 God's children. So a minimum of two years. One thing, like I said, 158 00:09:05.490 --> 00:09:08.430 it's minimum cost. There's only an administrative fee, 159 00:09:08.520 --> 00:09:12.810 only an administrative fee of $150 per month. 160 00:09:13.140 --> 00:09:14.070 And the Ministry, 161 00:09:14.070 --> 00:09:18.600 miracle Hill Ministries incur all of the other expenses for utilities, 162 00:09:18.930 --> 00:09:22.830 but we do not pay for your internet services and your cell phone. 163 00:09:23.070 --> 00:09:27.960 But everything else we take care of and we lovingly provide for 164 00:09:28.260 --> 00:09:28.830 the family. 165 00:09:28.830 --> 00:09:33.300 So we do ask for a minimum of two years, 166 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:37.500 just a minimum of two years in that they would take siblings or older children. 167 00:09:37.890 --> 00:09:42.810 <v 1>Wow. I mean that's huge. I feel like that's huge for families.</v> 168 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:48.000 What does someone need to do to contact you if they'd like to learn more or I 169 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:52.590 know that there's plenty of other things that you guys are willing to take 170 00:09:52.590 --> 00:09:57.420 in if they can't do this for now. I'm sure there's other things too. 171 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:59.190 So what are some other things too as well? 172 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:02.100 <v 2>So some other things. Of course, one of the things,</v> 173 00:10:02.110 --> 00:10:06.810 we are a private nonprofit organization and we 174 00:10:06.810 --> 00:10:11.280 exist by the grace of God and the good generosity of those who love him and give 175 00:10:11.280 --> 00:10:14.700 to us. So funding is always important, monetarily, donations. 176 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.740 But think about it this way, 177 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:20.520 a basic need for the community and for those families. 178 00:10:20.520 --> 00:10:25.050 We have about 140 licensed foster families. 179 00:10:25.650 --> 00:10:28.200 Think about your own home and the things that you need. 180 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:31.440 Basically you take for granted, paper towel, 181 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:34.290 and you take for granted toilet paper and cleaning items. 182 00:10:34.530 --> 00:10:38.400 Those are things that a youth group could say, let's get together, 183 00:10:38.400 --> 00:10:41.910 let's do that. Those are things that we could use for our families. 184 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:47.700 Just items just that you use every day is so important. 185 00:10:47.730 --> 00:10:52.200 Activities an opportunity to go to big air 186 00:10:52.230 --> 00:10:54.210 or top golf or, 187 00:10:54.570 --> 00:10:57.630 because one of the things that I think a lot of times people say, well, 188 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:03.270 they've got a hot roof. No, they want to be just like you and me. 189 00:11:04.260 --> 00:11:08.850 They need experiences as well. Socialization is important too. 190 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:13.350 So anything that a person themself would enjoy, I'd like to put that in some, 191 00:11:13.650 --> 00:11:17.070 if I was a child or if I was a family, what would I need? 192 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:19.140 And then that you give. 193 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:21.390 <v 1>And how do they get in touch with you.</v> 194 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:24.000 <v 2>Yeah. Thank you. Again,</v> 195 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.630 my name is Brenda Parks and there are two ways to get in touch with me, 196 00:11:27.900 --> 00:11:32.430 certainly via email, B as in Brenda, boy, B, parks, 197 00:11:32.430 --> 00:11:33.450 parks and Recreation, 198 00:11:33.450 --> 00:11:38.370 bParks@miraclehill.org or 199 00:11:38.610 --> 00:11:41.610 that could call my office number 200 00:11:41.610 --> 00:11:46.610 eight 201 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 six 202 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 three 203 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 one 204 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 zero 205 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 one 206 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 two 207 00:11:46.610 --> 00:11:46.610 four 208 00:11:48.630 --> 00:11:53.070 or the easiest ways may also just calling Miracle Hill 209 00:11:53.710 --> 00:11:58.660 8 6 4 2 6 8, help. 4, 3, 5, 7. 210 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:03.340 That's what it spells because we're about helping at all times. So it's 211 00:12:03.370 --> 00:12:08.370 8, 212 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 6, 213 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 4, 214 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 2, 215 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 6, 216 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 8, 217 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 4, 218 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 3, 219 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 5, 220 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:08.370 7. 221 00:12:08.870 --> 00:12:13.240 And that's 8, 6, 4, 2, 6, 8 help. Yeah. 222 00:12:13.570 --> 00:12:18.220 <v 1>You said B as in Brenda? Yes. Is that like B as in Braxton?</v> 223 00:12:19.540 --> 00:12:24.020 <v 2>You're right too. You're exactly right. That's true. That is true.</v> 224 00:12:24.250 --> 00:12:25.083 That is true. 225 00:12:25.390 --> 00:12:29.050 <v 1>Well, listen, you guys are making an impact on the community,</v> 226 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:34.000 and so hopefully folks there in the community can help you do that. 227 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:38.500 Thank you for that ministry. That's very good stuff. 228 00:12:39.490 --> 00:12:40.870 <v 2>Thank you. Thank you so much.</v> 229 00:12:40.870 --> 00:12:44.350 And thank you for those folks who are listening and I pray God's blessing upon 230 00:12:44.350 --> 00:12:45.183 them. 231 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:46.420 <v 1>All right. Again,</v> 232 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:50.920 she's Brenda Parks with Miracle Hill Ministries and their family Ministry center 233 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:52.450 there in Greenville, South Carolina. 234 00:12:53.290 --> 00:12:55.900 If you want to listen to previous episodes of Community Spotlight, 235 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:59.110 you can right now on a lightfm.org. Also, 236 00:12:59.110 --> 00:13:02.890 special thanks to our sponsor of Community Spotlight. 237 00:13:03.070 --> 00:13:05.320 That's Turner Business Appraisers in Matthews, 238 00:13:05.330 --> 00:13:08.440 North Carolina and online@turnerbusiness.com. 239 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.830 <v 0>We hope you enjoyed today's community spotlight,</v> 240 00:13:11.830 --> 00:13:14.770 covering issues that matter to you in your community. 241 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:17.650 If you have a suggestion for a future program, 242 00:13:17.650 --> 00:13:21.580 just call 803 3 0 96 48. 243 00:13:21.760 --> 00:13:25.690 That's 803 3 0 9 6 4 8. 244 00:13:26.110 --> 00:13:30.220 Be sure to join us next week for another community spotlight with Braxton on the 245 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.060 Light fm.