Still Standing Up for Faith-Based Values

Do you know what sets Sunrise Children’s Services apart from most other private child welfare agencies in Kentucky? While the abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes by the state must have their physical, mental and emotional needs met, they must have their spiritual needs met, too. We take that final responsibility seriously, believing that the opportunity for spiritual growth can only help hurting kids. Secular child care providers don’t take the same approach.

Does that mean we force children in our care to attend Bible studies, get baptized, or become Baptists? No. It means our staff provides opportunities for children to explore their own faith. If they want to attend church, whatever denomination, we make every effort to get them there. Faith, hope and love are powerful healing tools.

We also believe that our employees and foster parents should be good role models of Judeo-Christian values. Therefore, we don’t allow a couple living together without being married to work for Sunrise or become foster parents.

Our standards open us up to criticism and cries of discrimination, but we will not waver. Why? First, because we will not push aside the convictions our faith demands to placate those who want Christianity out of our culture. Second, because we are a ministry that believes Judeo-Christian values show broken kids the best way to live – with honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, fidelity, service, sacrifice and hard work. Stronger kids grow up to be stronger adults who have the ability to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. That leads to stronger families and stronger communities.

We know most Kentucky Baptists support our approach to ministry. We also feel most Kentuckians support traditional family values. But we are at odds with our culture, and we need to HEAR your voices countering the hateful calls claiming that Sunrise is intolerant. Otherwise, the winners are those who scream the most for tolerance but demonstrate it the least. And the losers are the children God has given us to heal. Our mission is to be the best professional child care ministry possible.

Will you stand up for our common values with us?