Jaime Finn & Luke Cameron: Opening Hearts and Homes to Children in Need | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron

October 13, 2025 | S E | 54:32

Kirk Cameron is joined by Director of Foster the Family, Jaime Finn and Co-founder of Together As One, Luke Cameron, to share the options and blessings of being a foster parent and adoption.

#Faith #Family #Adoption #Author #PersonalStory #Humaninterest #Culture #Children #Kids

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Takeaways with Kirk Cameron | Jaime Finn & Luke Cameron: Opening Hearts and Homes to Children in Need | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron | October 13, 2025

- have you ever thought about expanding your household?
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Maybe you simply want to help raise an underprivileged child
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Or you're struggling
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To have a child of your own at this time.
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There are many options today
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When it comes to having a family.
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To highlight some of these choices,
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We're talking to jamie finn about foster care opportunities
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And luke cameron about adoption.
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They'll be sharing on the realities and blessings
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Of opening your heart and home to children in need.
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So, let's get to it right now on "takeaways."
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- god's good plan for families
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Is for them to be places of love and protection.
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So, let's acknowledge where god is
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In all the parts of this story.
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- and i think a lot of adoptees or foster care kids
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Go through the challenges of finding that, who am i?
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What am i created to do? what am i created for?
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(bright upbeat music)
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(logo whooshing)
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- jamie finn is the founder and president
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Of foster the family.
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A national nonprofit charity that serves vulnerable children
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And the families who welcome them.
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She's also a mother of seven children,
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And she's authored a children's book
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Called "god loves kids."
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A gospel centered book about foster care.
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Jamie, thanks so much for joining us.
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- [jamie] yeah, thank you so much for having me, kirk.
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- i'm excited that you wrote this book,
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And my wife and i are getting back
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Into reading children's books
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Because our kids have grown up.
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Now, i have a little baby granddaughter-
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- okay. - for us to read books to.
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- yeah. - and this is one
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That i think is important for every family to read
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Because it's about foster care
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And god's really good plan for families.
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What inspired you to write it?
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- well, we are foster parents ourselves,
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So we have welcomed 30 kids into our home.
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And with each kid, added another book to the library.
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And so, our home was full of books
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That were about foster care.
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And they all sort of had this description
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Of what foster care was and how kids might feel,
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But lacked what i wanted my kids to hear,
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Which is god loves you, he has a good plan,
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He's writing a big story of redemption.
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- yeah. the big story of redemption.
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And that might be really hard, i would imagine,
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Because although my wife and i have adopted children
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And my wife
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Is an adopted child- - yeah.
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- we've never fostered children
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Through the foster care system.
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And i know that a lot of those kids
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Have been through multiple homes.
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- yeah. - because of brokenness.
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Not only with their original parents,
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But also the breakdown of some of the foster care-
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- yeah. - homes.
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- yeah. - so, how you reconcile
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God's really good plan and loves kids
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With this brokenness and this trauma
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That kids in the foster care system are experiencing?
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It's gotta be really, really tough.
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What are some of the feelings kids often have
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Coming into the next foster care home?
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- yeah.
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So, what we know is that when kids
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Are removed from their first families,
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We can come in with this,
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"okay, this child was just rescued from abuse and neglect."
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- yeah. - where for most kids,
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That day of being removed is probably
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The worst day of their lives.
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That that is probably the trauma
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That is most deep and and vibrant to them,
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Because all they knew was the home that they were in.
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- yeah. - so, the reality
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Is that when kids are even entering foster care,
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Even though we talk about the both end
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In foster care all the time.
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So, even though they're being protected,
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They're also afraid.
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Even though they're gaining this loving healthy family,
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They lost their family.
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And so, there are so many feelings,
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And i think the most important thing as foster parents,
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As those in the lives of kids in foster care,
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Is that we allow them to feel
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Whatever it is they're feeling.
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So, if they feel sad, confused, lonely, happy, grateful-
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- angry. - exactly.
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That we are not defining this is how you should feel,
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Because the experience is so complex and challenging.
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- the work that you're doing is so important
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Because little kids have to somehow make sense
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Of their world. - yeah.
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- and if we just throw cheap,
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Sugary sweet religion at them-
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- yes. - and say god loves you
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And has a wonderful plan for your life, they're like,
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"okay, explain the bruise on my face."
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- that's right. - explain the loss
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That i feel every time i get moved to a new home.
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And your book is really beautiful that way.
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And i hope that everybody reads it.
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Switching for a second to the concerns of families
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Who want to help kids.
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- [jamie] yeah.
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- through fostering them.
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What are some of their concerns
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As they consider foster care?
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- yeah, well, i know their concerns
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Because i had the same concerns.
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It was, i am going to get too attached.
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My heart will be broken.
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I don't know if i can handle that.
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- right. - so, that is definitely
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The most common thing i hear.
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I could get, i would get too attached.
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Well, the reality is that attachment
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Is what these kids need.
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That what they need is someone
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Who is willing to put their heart on the line.
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Someone who is willing to be hurt
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Because they've loved so deeply.
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So, when we love kids and parent them for,
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You know, could be a week, could be years,
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Of course, we're gonna be heartbroken.
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That is what these kids need.
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They need that kind of love. that kind of commitment.
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So, definitely i would get too attached.
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Another one is what about my kids?
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So we- - yeah.
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- you know, we're parents.
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We love our kids. we want to protect them.
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And so, i think there's this, again,
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The both end of our commitment to protect our children
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And remembering what god's word says
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About what it is to follow him.
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We're actually not promised happy,
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Protected little lives.
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We are called to a dying kind of living.
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We are called to take up our cross.
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And so, while i would never allow my children
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To be sacrificed to being foster parents, a foster family,
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I do want them to sacrifice.
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I want them to see that the world
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Is so much bigger than them.
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And you know, there're soccer games and plays,
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That there is suffering in this world,
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And that as jesus's followers, we are called to step in
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To that suffering and love with christlike love.
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- tell me, what is it about your book that you think
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Is different and distinctive that will help kids?
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- yeah. so, we're hoping that kids see themselves in this.
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So, this is for kids who are in a foster family.
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A family that's considering foster care
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Or for kids in foster care themselves.
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That wherever they are within the family,
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That they will see themselves in it.
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And they'll see that we're, i'm not ignoring their reality.
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That i'm not saying,
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Like- - right.
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- this was a happy day and now you feel good and safe.
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What i'm saying is,
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"let's look past just the day to day of the hard
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And see that god is writing
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A really big, really good story."
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So, i had a friend actually who grew up in foster care,
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Who read the book as i was reading it
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And spoke into it of like, this feels a little trite
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For a child who experienced abuse.
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Can we rework this so that they can see, "oh yeah.
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God wants families to protect their kids.
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That god's good plan for families
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Is for them to be places of love and protection."
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So, let's acknowledge where god is
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In all the parts of the story.
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In the hard and happy and all of it.
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- if you're even thinking about fostering children,
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You've got to get ahold of this book.
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As an adoptive father, i never had to deal with the trauma
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That children deal with coming into the foster care system
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Because we adopt our children when they were infants.
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And so, they never went through foster care.
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But my mom and dad have fostered children.
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And that's a whole different scenario.
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And this really speaks to the issue.
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Now, how do you address where things went wrong
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In god's really good plan for families?
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- yeah. - for these kids?
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- yeah. - what's the culprit?
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- sure. - that messed everything up
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For them in the book?
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- yeah. well, in one word, sin.
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So, very clearly, god had this good plan,
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And then sin entered the world.
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And now, we have a broken world with broken families
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And broken people and broken hearts.
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And the good news is that god didn't leave sin unanswered.
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So, that is why we can say that god has a good plan,
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Because in our sin, he sent jesus to rescue us.
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He has this big, beautiful redemption plan.
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- yeah. - so, when we start with,
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Not you had bad parents,
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Or you had this terrible thing happen, but we-
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- yeah. this wasn't your fault and-
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- and all the messages.
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Right. - yeah.
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- when we start with the problem here is sin
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And jesus is the answer
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To sin. - yes.
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- now we're taking it from,
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This was my experience, this was my
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- family, this is my feelings too.
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Where's god in this story?
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- yeah, that's so important.
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And you know, we even get this wrong in our churches
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From the pulpits when people are so seeker friendly
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That they're trying to meet the felt needs
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Of those in the audience that they want to start with,
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"how you feel?
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Who did this to you?
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This isn't your fault.
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God loves you.
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You deserve better than all of this stuff."
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Instead of starting with,
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"god created a really beautiful world
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And you get to be a part of it."
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And then through sin and rebellion,
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All of your guilt, all of your shame, and everybody else
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Says all heaps together and turns into this giant mess.
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But god has a rescue mission for you.
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- that's right.
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Yeah, the good news is really good,
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Because there's bad news that precedes it.
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- yeah. in fact, it doesn't even make sense
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Without the bad news. - that's right.
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Yeah, so we can't gloss over that,
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Especially for kids who are acutely aware
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Of the bad news in their story.
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We can't just tell them,
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"oh, there's good news for you."
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We have to admit and sort of allow them
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To sit in the bad parts of their story
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So that they can see the jesus who brings good news.
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- have you ever seen this book
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Read to a child who's experienced trauma
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And has it had a good effect that you can share with us?
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- yeah, i mean, without going into it too specifically,
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Just to protect his story.
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I have a child in my home who has,
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He first entered my home when he was a baby
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From the hospital.
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And i have been involved in his life for eight years,
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Working to help his mom
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And there be healing and restoration in their family.
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But he's been in our home again
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For the past year and a half.
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And so reading this story to him
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Is reading something that he is very aware of
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And acknowledging.
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I mean, we're teaching him the gospel every night,
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But to have it hand in hand
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With the realities of what he knows went wrong in his story,
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I think makes the gospel more real to him.
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It helps him see like, "oh, this is for me too."
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That jesus, his big good plan,
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Is for me in the middle of the heart of my story.
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So he saw himself in this.
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In fact, he even pointing at the pictures
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Wants to know which one is him.
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And he wants to know like, okay,
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Because there are lots of kids
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Who look like lots of different kids.
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And he wants to know which one is me
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Because he knows this story is for him and about him.
00:12:02.845 --> 00:12:07.817
- wow, this is so great.
00:12:07.817 --> 00:12:10.286
It even makes me think that kids
00:12:10.286 --> 00:12:12.655
Who have experienced really difficult, hard,
00:12:12.655 --> 00:12:14.490
Traumatic things, life-changing things
00:12:14.490 --> 00:12:18.794
Could maybe even grow up to be stronger,
00:12:18.794 --> 00:12:21.564
Wiser, more mature christians
00:12:21.564 --> 00:12:24.099
If they understand that all of that
00:12:24.099 --> 00:12:26.836
Can still be redeemed in god's great big, beautiful,
00:12:26.836 --> 00:12:29.672
Really great plan for them.
00:12:29.672 --> 00:12:31.240
Through the gospel at a young age.
00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.942
Just by being read a children's book like this
00:12:32.942 --> 00:12:36.812
And then growing up, understanding the gospel
00:12:36.812 --> 00:12:39.081
From a really young age in a really difficult spot.
00:12:39.081 --> 00:12:41.750
That's so important.
00:12:41.750 --> 00:12:43.986
I can't wait to dive in deeper.
00:12:43.986 --> 00:12:45.487
And we're going to continue talking with jamie
00:12:45.487 --> 00:12:47.623
About foster care right after the break
00:12:47.623 --> 00:12:49.925
And then later in the program,
00:12:49.925 --> 00:12:51.460
A very special guest that i know quite well will join us
00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:54.530
And give us some more insight on adoption options.
00:12:54.530 --> 00:12:57.433
So stay with us.
00:12:57.433 --> 00:12:58.934
- i think the basis of that is like when you love god
00:12:58.934 --> 00:13:02.171
And you have that love from god,
00:13:02.171 --> 00:13:04.073
You know how to give that to other people.
00:13:04.073 --> 00:13:06.308
And it's love that the father gives us.
00:13:06.308 --> 00:13:09.979
(upbeat music)
00:13:09.979 --> 00:13:15.009
(upbeat music)
00:13:15.009 --> 00:13:15.651
(upbeat music)
00:13:16.018 --> 00:13:22.391
- we're back with jamie finn,
00:13:23.025 --> 00:13:24.526
A sought after speaker and author
00:13:24.526 --> 00:13:26.262
Discussing her latest book for children, "god loves kids."
00:13:26.262 --> 00:13:29.598
Jamie, one of the sections in the book
00:13:29.598 --> 00:13:32.001
That i particularly like
00:13:32.001 --> 00:13:33.802
Is this section where you talk about
00:13:33.802 --> 00:13:35.404
All the different feelings that are experienced
00:13:35.404 --> 00:13:39.208
By those involved in adoption.
00:13:39.208 --> 00:13:41.710
And it's talking about the parents, about the kids,
00:13:41.710 --> 00:13:45.180
About the foster child,
00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.815
But also the children who were already in that family
00:13:46.815 --> 00:13:49.919
Before the foster child arrived.
00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.388
Why is it important to deal with everyone's feelings?
00:13:52.388 --> 00:13:55.224
- yeah, well, as parents,
00:13:55.224 --> 00:13:57.092
We love all of the kids at our home.
00:13:57.092 --> 00:13:59.895
And so my heart is for every child in my home,
00:13:59.895 --> 00:14:03.032
I have seven kids.
00:14:03.032 --> 00:14:04.600
Two are biological, four were adopted through foster care,
00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:08.470
And one is currently in foster care.
00:14:08.470 --> 00:14:10.272
So i am saying, i wrote this book for my kids,
00:14:10.272 --> 00:14:14.777
So for my kids who have been adopted
00:14:14.777 --> 00:14:17.046
And, you know, get to see that big redemption story.
00:14:17.046 --> 00:14:20.449
For my kids who are biological
00:14:20.449 --> 00:14:22.251
And have experienced the hard feelings of like,
00:14:22.251 --> 00:14:25.621
This kid just came in
00:14:25.621 --> 00:14:26.889
And has turned our lives up upside down.
00:14:26.889 --> 00:14:28.290
- yeah, who's this guy?
00:14:28.290 --> 00:14:29.525
Why does he get all these privileges?
00:14:29.525 --> 00:14:30.259
- right, right.
00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.727
And for the kids who very deeply know the suffering
00:14:31.727 --> 00:14:34.396
Of experiencing broken family.
00:14:34.396 --> 00:14:37.166
And then being removed and placed in foster care.
00:14:37.166 --> 00:14:39.835
My heart is for all of them.
00:14:39.835 --> 00:14:41.437
In my home and in the homes of all the kids
00:14:41.437 --> 00:14:45.374
Who i hope read this book.
00:14:45.374 --> 00:14:46.976
- yeah and i can imagine there are also thoughts of
00:14:46.976 --> 00:14:49.878
When this child leaves my home
00:14:49.878 --> 00:14:52.614
Because, you know, chances are maybe he's not going to be,
00:14:52.614 --> 00:14:56.085
Or she's not going to be adopted
00:14:56.085 --> 00:14:57.386
And stay permanently in our house,
00:14:57.386 --> 00:14:58.654
But move on to the next home.
00:14:58.654 --> 00:15:00.022
- [jamie] yeah.
00:15:00.022 --> 00:15:01.190
- how do i prepare them for that journey?
00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:04.093
How do i explain to them that i'm not abandoning them?
00:15:04.093 --> 00:15:06.628
- yeah.
00:15:06.628 --> 00:15:08.030
- that i am just a stepping stone on their path
00:15:08.030 --> 00:15:12.301
To god's really good plan for their life.
00:15:12.301 --> 00:15:14.169
- yeah, you are hitting at the heart
00:15:14.169 --> 00:15:16.638
Of every foster parent's, deepest hard.
00:15:16.638 --> 00:15:20.075
We love these kids.
00:15:20.075 --> 00:15:21.610
You know, i just think of how you worry about your kids
00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:24.646
And protect your kids,
00:15:24.646 --> 00:15:26.749
And then in a moment, you just have to take off
00:15:26.749 --> 00:15:30.986
All of that responsibility,
00:15:30.986 --> 00:15:33.389
All of the ownership of their day to day and their future.
00:15:33.389 --> 00:15:38.127
It's an impossible kind of love.
00:15:38.127 --> 00:15:40.829
And so you're right.
00:15:40.829 --> 00:15:41.997
That is what we're fighting for.
00:15:41.997 --> 00:15:43.565
- yeah, it's one of the hardest parts i think
00:15:43.565 --> 00:15:45.501
About being a parent is when your children,
00:15:45.501 --> 00:15:49.238
They spread their wings and they fly away
00:15:50.105 --> 00:15:52.007
Because you take off that responsibility day to day
00:15:52.007 --> 00:15:54.843
Of the decisions they make.
00:15:54.843 --> 00:15:56.111
And you're like, "oh, no, wait."
00:15:56.111 --> 00:15:58.147
And yet as a foster care parent,
00:15:58.147 --> 00:16:00.182
You're doing that over and over-
00:16:00.182 --> 00:16:01.650
- [jamie] that's right, yeah. - and over and over.
00:16:01.650 --> 00:16:03.352
And i imagine as difficult to do
00:16:03.352 --> 00:16:06.055
Is you start to get better and better at it.
00:16:06.055 --> 00:16:07.790
- [jamie] sure. - and that's why
00:16:07.790 --> 00:16:09.058
You're continuing to foster children
00:16:09.058 --> 00:16:10.626
And offer this seasoned help that you're able to give them.
00:16:10.626 --> 00:16:15.931
Can you share a moment from your own life
00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:19.535
That maybe inspired you to include a particular aspect
00:16:19.535 --> 00:16:23.972
In this book?
00:16:23.972 --> 00:16:25.307
- yeah, so when we welcome kids into our home,
00:16:26.275 --> 00:16:31.380
We have this level of enthusiasm, right?
00:16:32.247 --> 00:16:34.950
We get the call
00:16:34.950 --> 00:16:36.351
And all of a sudden your life is turned upside down.
00:16:36.351 --> 00:16:38.253
Okay, run and get the diapers
00:16:38.253 --> 00:16:40.189
And pulled up the crib again and all of that.
00:16:40.189 --> 00:16:43.625
But what i wanted, especially the kids
00:16:43.625 --> 00:16:46.762
Who are entering foster care to see is that
00:16:46.762 --> 00:16:50.132
They are welcomed into a home
00:16:50.132 --> 00:16:54.236
That is going to be there for as long as they need them,
00:16:54.236 --> 00:16:58.173
However they need them.
00:16:58.173 --> 00:16:59.875
So a for now kind of parent.
00:16:59.875 --> 00:17:02.945
So this tempering of the enthusiasm
00:17:02.945 --> 00:17:06.181
We sort of feel as parents
00:17:06.181 --> 00:17:07.950
With the understanding that these kids are afraid
00:17:07.950 --> 00:17:11.987
And probably heartbroken, exhausted, confused.
00:17:11.987 --> 00:17:16.058
That you're seeing the parents welcoming and expecting,
00:17:16.058 --> 00:17:20.429
But then you're seeing a child
00:17:20.429 --> 00:17:23.165
Feeling lots of different feelings
00:17:23.165 --> 00:17:24.800
As they're coming into the home.
00:17:24.800 --> 00:17:27.369
- this is fascinating to me.
00:17:27.369 --> 00:17:29.004
And it's something i wouldn't have thought about.
00:17:29.004 --> 00:17:31.807
It's sort of like,
00:17:31.807 --> 00:17:33.108
"you're here, we've been waiting for you.
00:17:33.108 --> 00:17:34.710
This is an exciting, joyous occasion."
00:17:34.710 --> 00:17:37.379
But from their perspective, this is terrifying.
00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:39.648
"who are you?
00:17:39.648 --> 00:17:40.616
Where am i going?
00:17:40.616 --> 00:17:41.917
I just lost the people that i was starting
00:17:41.917 --> 00:17:44.987
To feel comfortable and safe with."
00:17:44.987 --> 00:17:47.656
And so this can't be like missing each other emotionally.
00:17:47.656 --> 00:17:51.927
- right.
00:17:51.927 --> 00:17:53.061
- you've gotta somehow meet- - right.
00:17:53.061 --> 00:17:54.429
- with the fear and the worry and the excitement.
00:17:54.429 --> 00:17:57.699
- yeah, so i hope that this book,
00:17:57.699 --> 00:17:59.902
I probably wouldn't read it
00:17:59.902 --> 00:18:01.203
The night they're entering my home.
00:18:01.203 --> 00:18:03.405
But i hope that this book sort of is even used
00:18:03.405 --> 00:18:07.009
In that time, in this time of a child coming into the home
00:18:07.009 --> 00:18:11.013
And kind of knowing, hey, this is how we view your story.
00:18:11.013 --> 00:18:16.318
Especially because most of them really love their parents.
00:18:17.452 --> 00:18:19.588
- yep.
00:18:19.588 --> 00:18:20.989
- and we want to affirm the fact that god loves them
00:18:20.989 --> 00:18:24.860
And that we are fighting for your family to be restored.
00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:29.765
- yeah, i think with every good children's book,
00:18:29.765 --> 00:18:34.603
It turns out to be a book
00:18:34.603 --> 00:18:37.039
That maybe even teaches the parents more than the kids.
00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:40.375
Because if the principles are right
00:18:40.375 --> 00:18:42.277
And they are simplified to the point
00:18:42.277 --> 00:18:44.479
That a child can understand it,
00:18:44.479 --> 00:18:46.615
It really helps us as adults to get it.
00:18:46.615 --> 00:18:48.917
- yeah. - and that's what i love
00:18:48.917 --> 00:18:50.652
About your book is that it not only, well first of all,
00:18:50.652 --> 00:18:54.356
It's never going to be like,
00:18:54.356 --> 00:18:55.824
Read the story and your foster kids are fixed,
00:18:55.824 --> 00:18:58.093
All their problems are gone, no.
00:18:58.093 --> 00:18:59.761
But what it does do is it frames their pain and trauma
00:18:59.761 --> 00:19:03.799
And the confusion with a story that makes sense of it.
00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:08.270
And it also trains us as parents to know
00:19:08.270 --> 00:19:12.074
How to present this new world to the child
00:19:12.074 --> 00:19:16.378
In a way that fits with god's really good gospel plan.
00:19:16.378 --> 00:19:19.047
- yeah, yeah.
00:19:19.047 --> 00:19:20.182
And a note to that, i actually know
00:19:20.182 --> 00:19:22.784
That this book is going to raise questions.
00:19:22.784 --> 00:19:25.754
And i think foster parents, or even just parents of kids
00:19:25.754 --> 00:19:28.824
Who want to learn about foster care.
00:19:28.824 --> 00:19:30.425
- [kirk] yep.
00:19:30.425 --> 00:19:31.827
- are going to be presented with hard questions.
00:19:31.827 --> 00:19:35.430
There's no easy, trite answer in foster care.
00:19:35.430 --> 00:19:38.734
So i actually included a guide for talking to your kids.
00:19:38.734 --> 00:19:42.804
So at the back of the book,
00:19:42.804 --> 00:19:44.339
It'll lead you to sort of questions that could come up.
00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:47.909
And some answers that are compassionate
00:19:47.909 --> 00:19:50.879
And trauma informed
00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.547
And hopefully points to jesus.
00:19:52.547 --> 00:19:55.517
- what would you suggest as maybe a first step
00:19:55.517 --> 00:19:58.654
For families who are considering foster care?
00:19:58.654 --> 00:20:02.190
- i would encourage you to
00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:05.927
First, have a good understanding of trauma
00:20:05.927 --> 00:20:09.031
To learn about the way that trauma actually impacts
00:20:09.031 --> 00:20:13.468
The brains and bodies and beliefs of kids.
00:20:13.468 --> 00:20:15.704
That it's not just, "oh, they went through this hard thing,
00:20:15.704 --> 00:20:18.440
But now they're here and they're safe.
00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:20.409
So they will immediately feel safe."
00:20:20.409 --> 00:20:22.811
No, it actually changes brain chemistry.
00:20:22.811 --> 00:20:26.448
It actually changes the way that they.
00:20:26.448 --> 00:20:29.551
- experienced different things in life.
00:20:30.352 --> 00:20:31.520
And that was a huge shift for me
00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:33.488
As a foster parent.
00:20:33.488 --> 00:20:34.389
I had raised two kids
00:20:34.389 --> 00:20:36.024
With really simple christian principles
00:20:36.024 --> 00:20:39.261
Of parenting, and then i had these kids
00:20:39.261 --> 00:20:41.763
Who had experienced abuse,
00:20:41.763 --> 00:20:43.799
Who had experienced exposure
00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:46.935
To drugs and alcohol in utero,
00:20:46.935 --> 00:20:48.503
And there were things that we were dealing with
00:20:48.503 --> 00:20:51.206
That weren't traditional parenting issues.
00:20:51.206 --> 00:20:53.875
So the best thing i would say is
00:20:53.875 --> 00:20:57.145
Become trauma informed.
00:20:57.145 --> 00:20:58.714
Then i would say build your community
00:20:58.714 --> 00:21:00.816
Because you are stepping into something
00:21:00.816 --> 00:21:03.552
That is really hard.
00:21:03.552 --> 00:21:05.253
And you are going to need people who are going
00:21:05.253 --> 00:21:08.156
To point your eyes to jesus,
00:21:08.156 --> 00:21:09.558
Who are going to remind you of truth,
00:21:09.558 --> 00:21:11.360
Who are going to speak to the sovereignty
00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:14.963
And goodness of god as you walk
00:21:14.963 --> 00:21:17.499
Through really hard things
00:21:17.499 --> 00:21:19.167
And you're gonna need practical help.
00:21:19.167 --> 00:21:21.069
What i believe is that we are all called
00:21:21.069 --> 00:21:23.972
To this mission in one way or another.
00:21:23.972 --> 00:21:25.841
And it doesn't mean that we're all supposed
00:21:25.841 --> 00:21:27.409
To be fostering adoptive parents.
00:21:27.409 --> 00:21:29.845
It does mean that we are supposed
00:21:29.845 --> 00:21:32.247
To walk out this pure
00:21:32.247 --> 00:21:33.782
And undefiled religion that visits.
00:21:33.782 --> 00:21:36.518
And that word visit is just so rich.
00:21:36.518 --> 00:21:38.587
It's not just coming.
00:21:38.587 --> 00:21:40.088
It's coming and acting out of love.
00:21:40.088 --> 00:21:43.091
So when we invite people
00:21:43.091 --> 00:21:46.628
Into our foster care story,
00:21:46.628 --> 00:21:48.196
We're inviting them to be a part
00:21:48.196 --> 00:21:49.865
Of god's mission.
00:21:49.865 --> 00:21:51.266
- i love how all of life, even the really ugly,
00:21:51.266 --> 00:21:54.836
Difficult parts of life become part
00:21:54.836 --> 00:21:57.739
Of a great big, beautiful story
00:21:57.739 --> 00:22:00.575
When it's contextualized in the gospel.
00:22:00.575 --> 00:22:03.011
- [jamie] that's right.
00:22:03.011 --> 00:22:03.945
- and that's what's so beautiful
00:22:03.945 --> 00:22:05.080
About the gospel is that it can heal
00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:07.449
Every broken thing. - yeah.
00:22:07.449 --> 00:22:08.784
- eventually and wonderfully.
00:22:08.784 --> 00:22:11.219
It doesn't just patch it up,
00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:13.388
But actually transforms it into something
00:22:13.388 --> 00:22:15.424
Even more beautiful.
00:22:15.424 --> 00:22:16.758
- yeah. - i know that people
00:22:16.758 --> 00:22:19.494
Can become trauma informed
00:22:19.494 --> 00:22:22.264
By going to your website
00:22:22.264 --> 00:22:23.832
And reading some articles
00:22:23.832 --> 00:22:25.500
And clicking on some links.
00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.736
Foster the family, right.
00:22:27.736 --> 00:22:29.738
For churches, for teachers who are wanting
00:22:29.738 --> 00:22:33.341
To learn how to better serve foster kids
00:22:33.341 --> 00:22:37.112
In their congregation, in their school,
00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:39.281
Or wanting to learn how they can help parents
00:22:39.281 --> 00:22:42.317
Who wanna get involved,
00:22:42.317 --> 00:22:44.186
What advice do you have for them?
00:22:44.186 --> 00:22:45.420
- yeah.
00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.254
I love this question.
00:22:46.254 --> 00:22:48.356
I think that part of this,
00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:50.926
How do we all join in this mission,
00:22:50.926 --> 00:22:52.594
Is that we all have an understanding of trauma.
00:22:52.594 --> 00:22:56.164
And this will serve in so many different ways,
00:22:56.164 --> 00:22:59.768
Whether it's foster care or other things,
00:22:59.768 --> 00:23:02.871
We live in a broken world, which means lots
00:23:02.871 --> 00:23:05.474
Of people are walking through really hard things.
00:23:05.474 --> 00:23:08.243
So i love the question,
00:23:08.243 --> 00:23:11.079
And my encouragement would be to find resources
00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:14.316
That talk about trauma in a gospel centered way.
00:23:14.316 --> 00:23:17.953
That we are the both end,
00:23:17.953 --> 00:23:19.888
That we are holding onto the fact
00:23:19.888 --> 00:23:21.623
That we have this responsibility
00:23:21.623 --> 00:23:24.659
And we don't wanna just stay
00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.894
Where we are and we wanna grow,
00:23:25.894 --> 00:23:27.262
And the gospel can heal and transform,
00:23:27.262 --> 00:23:30.031
And we can be transformed by the renewing
00:23:30.031 --> 00:23:32.334
Of our minds.
00:23:32.334 --> 00:23:33.235
And that there are real,
00:23:33.235 --> 00:23:36.671
Real deep impacts on the brains
00:23:36.671 --> 00:23:39.608
And bodies of kids, of adults
00:23:39.608 --> 00:23:42.110
Who've walked through hard things.
00:23:42.110 --> 00:23:43.745
So there are many great resources out there,
00:23:43.745 --> 00:23:46.648
And i think just starting to ask that question
00:23:46.648 --> 00:23:49.384
And seeking some of those answers
00:23:49.384 --> 00:23:52.087
Is half the battle.
00:23:52.087 --> 00:23:54.322
When you google,
00:23:54.322 --> 00:23:55.757
"gospel centered, trauma informed,"
00:23:55.757 --> 00:23:57.792
You will begin to have resources
00:23:57.792 --> 00:24:01.329
At your fingertips.
00:24:01.329 --> 00:24:02.731
- what is the big takeaway
00:24:02.731 --> 00:24:04.399
For those who are gonna read your book?
00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:06.501
What do you want them to walk away with?
00:24:06.501 --> 00:24:09.037
- what i hope they walk away with is so much
00:24:09.037 --> 00:24:11.306
Of what we talked about,
00:24:11.306 --> 00:24:12.574
That the gospel is the good news for kids
00:24:12.574 --> 00:24:17.212
Who've experienced hard things, for the families
00:24:17.212 --> 00:24:20.315
Who are going to experience hard things
00:24:20.315 --> 00:24:22.217
If they welcome kids into their homes.
00:24:22.217 --> 00:24:24.419
I mean, nothing has brought more pain
00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:28.557
And trauma into my life personally
00:24:28.557 --> 00:24:32.193
Than being a foster parent.
00:24:32.193 --> 00:24:33.461
And so the big story of the gospel is the answer
00:24:33.461 --> 00:24:38.066
For every hard and broken thing.
00:24:38.066 --> 00:24:41.269
And the more that we see ourselves
00:24:41.269 --> 00:24:44.105
And how we play in this big story
00:24:44.105 --> 00:24:47.275
Of god's good plan and how sin marred it,
00:24:47.275 --> 00:24:50.445
And how jesus came to redeem,
00:24:50.445 --> 00:24:53.281
I pray that that's the takeaway
00:24:53.281 --> 00:24:54.783
For every kid and every parent
00:24:54.783 --> 00:24:57.085
Or adult who reads this book. - i love it.
00:24:57.085 --> 00:24:59.521
Thank you so much
00:24:59.521 --> 00:25:00.455
For sharing this with us today.
00:25:00.455 --> 00:25:01.656
- so happy to be here. - [kirk] yeah.
00:25:01.656 --> 00:25:02.657
Keep up the great work.
00:25:02.657 --> 00:25:03.892
After the break, we're gonna be joined
00:25:03.892 --> 00:25:05.160
By my son, luke cameron,
00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:07.696
And he's gonna be sharing his personal story
00:25:07.696 --> 00:25:09.564
Of joining our family and his ministry
00:25:09.564 --> 00:25:12.434
To help parents in the adoption process.
00:25:12.434 --> 00:25:14.636
So don't go away.
00:25:14.636 --> 00:25:16.271
(bright upbeat music)
00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:21.006
(bright upbeat music)
00:25:21.006 --> 00:25:21.843
(bright upbeat music)
00:25:22.344 --> 00:25:27.849
Together as one is a nonprofit adoption agency
00:25:28.750 --> 00:25:31.987
That helps families be able
00:25:31.987 --> 00:25:33.355
To afford adoption at a lower cost.
00:25:33.355 --> 00:25:36.091
They connect eligible adoptive families
00:25:36.091 --> 00:25:38.493
With the resources and the support
00:25:38.493 --> 00:25:40.195
That they need to create forever homes
00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:42.897
For children in need.
00:25:42.897 --> 00:25:44.633
My next guest is the founder
00:25:44.633 --> 00:25:46.301
And president of together as one,
00:25:46.301 --> 00:25:48.169
And he's my son, luke cameron.
00:25:48.169 --> 00:25:51.640
What's up, luke?
00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.907
I'm so glad that you're here.
00:25:52.907 --> 00:25:54.576
- what's going on?
00:25:54.576 --> 00:25:55.810
- hey, it is so cool that first of all,
00:25:55.810 --> 00:25:58.880
I love that together as one logo on your shirt.
00:25:58.880 --> 00:26:02.083
I remember when you were picking that out
00:26:02.083 --> 00:26:03.418
And you came up with this great name
00:26:03.418 --> 00:26:06.388
That these parents
00:26:06.388 --> 00:26:08.423
And the kids are together now as one family.
00:26:08.423 --> 00:26:12.127
- yeah. - i would love for you
00:26:12.127 --> 00:26:13.461
To share your adoption story with everybody.
00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:16.164
I mean, i know your story,
00:26:16.164 --> 00:26:17.565
But you've got such an incredible vision
00:26:17.565 --> 00:26:20.502
That you're carrying out.
00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:22.370
Tell everybody your adoption story.
00:26:22.370 --> 00:26:24.706
How did it start?
00:26:24.706 --> 00:26:25.907
- it first started when my birth mom,
00:26:25.907 --> 00:26:28.476
She was married to a man who was sent to jail
00:26:28.476 --> 00:26:32.247
For child pornography and drugs.
00:26:32.247 --> 00:26:34.549
My birth mom at this time
00:26:34.549 --> 00:26:35.650
Was around 18 years old.
00:26:35.650 --> 00:26:37.619
And so my birth mom's husband was in jail,
00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:41.322
And then my birth mom slept with the dude,
00:26:41.322 --> 00:26:44.693
Had a one night stand
00:26:44.693 --> 00:26:45.927
And then got pregnant with me.
00:26:45.927 --> 00:26:47.862
And so then she was trying to figure
00:26:47.862 --> 00:26:49.564
Out what to do.
00:26:49.564 --> 00:26:50.765
When she had this one night stand
00:26:50.765 --> 00:26:53.101
With my birth dad, went to him and said,
00:26:53.101 --> 00:26:56.004
"hey, i have a child.
00:26:56.004 --> 00:26:58.540
I don't know what to do,
00:26:59.040 --> 00:27:00.275
But you're part of this problem.
00:27:00.275 --> 00:27:02.310
Help me figure this out."
00:27:02.310 --> 00:27:04.079
And he was like, "you know what?
00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:05.980
I'm gonna go move and get away
00:27:06.614 --> 00:27:08.983
From this situation.
00:27:08.983 --> 00:27:10.185
That wasn't me who got you pregnant."
00:27:10.185 --> 00:27:11.786
So then my birth mom went to her husband in jail
00:27:11.786 --> 00:27:15.557
And said, "look, i'm pregnant.
00:27:15.557 --> 00:27:16.925
I don't know what to do.
00:27:16.925 --> 00:27:18.226
Where do i go?
00:27:18.226 --> 00:27:19.160
How do i do this?"
00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:21.396
And so then he was like, his response was that,
00:27:21.396 --> 00:27:26.668
"that's not my child.
00:27:27.168 --> 00:27:28.103
You either abort the child.
00:27:28.103 --> 00:27:29.871
If you do keep the child,
00:27:30.438 --> 00:27:31.539
I'm gonna abuse the child
00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.841
And i'm not gonna treat 'em like it's my own."
00:27:32.841 --> 00:27:35.043
And so you see this in this situation
00:27:35.043 --> 00:27:38.179
That two men drop the ball
00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:39.647
And don't know how to arise to the occasion
00:27:39.647 --> 00:27:42.317
And take care of a child.
00:27:42.317 --> 00:27:43.785
Right? - yeah.
00:27:43.785 --> 00:27:45.086
- so that's a little bit of the beginning parts
00:27:45.086 --> 00:27:49.257
Of my adoption story.
00:27:49.257 --> 00:27:51.226
- and then your birth mother then,
00:27:51.226 --> 00:27:53.094
She made the decision not to abort you.
00:27:53.094 --> 00:27:55.597
- yep. - thank god.
00:27:55.597 --> 00:27:56.731
Place you up for adoption.
00:27:56.731 --> 00:27:57.832
- yep. - and that's how mom
00:27:57.832 --> 00:27:59.434
And i came into the picture.
00:27:59.434 --> 00:28:00.635
- [luke] yep. - is that god placed you
00:28:00.635 --> 00:28:02.237
Into our family. - yeah.
00:28:02.237 --> 00:28:04.372
- which i'm so thankful for.
00:28:04.372 --> 00:28:06.541
How did that make you feel when you learned all
00:28:07.542 --> 00:28:11.079
Of this information about your birth mother
00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:14.382
And your birth father, and then you found out
00:28:14.382 --> 00:28:16.684
That you had siblings as well.
00:28:16.684 --> 00:28:18.052
Now, just for the record, like we always told you
00:28:18.052 --> 00:28:21.990
That you were adopted when you were little,
00:28:21.990 --> 00:28:23.792
But we didn't know all of these details.
00:28:23.792 --> 00:28:26.127
- yeah. - and of course,
00:28:26.127 --> 00:28:27.695
Mom is adopted and a few of your siblings,
00:28:27.695 --> 00:28:29.931
And so this wasn't a weird thing to be adopted.
00:28:29.931 --> 00:28:33.935
This is how families come together all the time.
00:28:33.935 --> 00:28:37.105
Jesus was adopted by joseph, his earthly father.
00:28:37.105 --> 00:28:39.874
Moses was adopted.
00:28:39.874 --> 00:28:41.242
But it must have blown your mind
00:28:41.242 --> 00:28:44.212
When you learned the story
00:28:44.212 --> 00:28:45.847
That none of us ever knew.
00:28:45.847 --> 00:28:47.582
- yeah, absolutely.
00:28:48.049 --> 00:28:49.184
So, when i first found out it was one
00:28:49.184 --> 00:28:52.353
Of my siblings, and they were like,
00:28:52.353 --> 00:28:54.889
They came up to me and they said,
00:28:54.889 --> 00:28:56.391
"you're not mom and dad's child biologically."
00:28:56.391 --> 00:28:59.294
And i'm like, "what?"
00:28:59.294 --> 00:29:00.595
I was 13, 14 years old at this time,
00:29:00.595 --> 00:29:02.463
And i'm like trying to figure out, "well,
00:29:02.463 --> 00:29:04.866
What does that really mean?"
00:29:04.866 --> 00:29:05.834
Like you said you and mom,
00:29:05.834 --> 00:29:07.836
You guys talked about adoption,
00:29:07.836 --> 00:29:10.271
You talked about what that looked
00:29:10.271 --> 00:29:11.272
Like from a biblical aspect.
00:29:11.272 --> 00:29:12.607
But at 13, 14 years old,
00:29:12.607 --> 00:29:14.475
I was kinda just not really holding the value
00:29:14.475 --> 00:29:18.313
Of what adoption meant. - yeah, yeah.
00:29:18.313 --> 00:29:20.548
- so then when they said that,
00:29:20.548 --> 00:29:22.951
I went into the back files in the back room
00:29:22.951 --> 00:29:25.753
And looked at my adoption file
00:29:25.753 --> 00:29:28.556
And then just learned
00:29:28.556 --> 00:29:31.059
And discovered my whole adoption story
00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:34.529
And my birth mom and birth dad,
00:29:34.529 --> 00:29:35.930
And how that all came to be.
00:29:35.930 --> 00:29:37.699
So that was hard, challenging at 13,
00:29:38.499 --> 00:29:40.935
14 years old trying to figure out-
00:29:40.935 --> 00:29:42.303
- [kirk] yeah. - my identity
00:29:42.303 --> 00:29:44.038
And who i am in that.
00:29:44.038 --> 00:29:45.440
- do you think that that is a common thing
00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:48.576
With children who have been
00:29:48.576 --> 00:29:50.845
In the foster care system
00:29:50.845 --> 00:29:52.080
Or who have been adopted,
00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:53.648
That there are big questions about your identity?
00:29:53.648 --> 00:29:56.651
- yeah, absolutely.
00:29:57.118 --> 00:29:58.519
I think it's honestly one of the biggest aspects
00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.921
Of adoption that is challenging
00:29:59.921 --> 00:30:02.090
For adoptees to go through.
00:30:02.090 --> 00:30:03.458
I mean, everyone wants to be like somebody,
00:30:03.458 --> 00:30:07.228
Somebody has their hero out there,
00:30:07.228 --> 00:30:10.064
Or people that they want to aspire to be like.
00:30:10.064 --> 00:30:12.967
And i think a lot of adoptees or foster care kids
00:30:13.968 --> 00:30:16.237
Go through the challenges of finding that.
00:30:16.237 --> 00:30:18.907
Who am i?
00:30:18.907 --> 00:30:19.874
What am i created to do?
00:30:19.874 --> 00:30:21.142
What am i created for?
00:30:21.142 --> 00:30:23.077
- yeah.
00:30:23.311 --> 00:30:24.545
Is that a time where you turned to god
00:30:24.545 --> 00:30:26.381
And did god help you through some
00:30:26.381 --> 00:30:28.883
Of these questions you were having
00:30:28.883 --> 00:30:30.251
And these challenges that you were facing?
00:30:30.251 --> 00:30:32.587
- yeah, absolutely.
00:30:32.587 --> 00:30:33.855
I think more than anything, you and mom
00:30:33.855 --> 00:30:36.824
And the way you've raised us kids
00:30:36.824 --> 00:30:38.192
With the foundation being on god had set me
00:30:38.192 --> 00:30:42.530
Up well to discover that.
00:30:42.530 --> 00:30:45.066
Now it truly is up to the person seeking
00:30:45.934 --> 00:30:49.470
That they want to seek god first and foremost,
00:30:49.470 --> 00:30:52.740
And in my relationship with god,
00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:56.945
Being strong enough to say,
00:30:56.945 --> 00:30:58.546
"hey, despite my circumstances,
00:30:58.546 --> 00:31:01.249
Despite where i've been born
00:31:01.249 --> 00:31:02.617
Or where i came from, that is situational."
00:31:02.617 --> 00:31:07.355
But when i look to god and i say,
00:31:07.355 --> 00:31:09.157
"god, you created me.
00:31:09.157 --> 00:31:11.259
I'm your son, or i'm your daughter,"
00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.394
Then you truly know who you are.
00:31:13.394 --> 00:31:16.030
- yeah.
00:31:16.030 --> 00:31:16.864
Yeah.
00:31:16.864 --> 00:31:17.799
Sometimes it's interesting
00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.100
Because sometimes when we talk to people
00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:21.002
Who know that we have four adopted children,
00:31:21.002 --> 00:31:24.138
And that we adopted our first four children
00:31:24.138 --> 00:31:27.041
Before we had.
00:31:27.041 --> 00:31:28.209
- your brother and sister.
00:31:28.776 --> 00:31:30.345
People are kind of confused and they wonder,
00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:33.314
Why did you do that?
00:31:33.314 --> 00:31:34.549
I mean, could you guys not have kids?
00:31:34.549 --> 00:31:35.717
And we could, we just wanted to adopt.
00:31:35.717 --> 00:31:37.752
And a lot of people think of adoption
00:31:37.752 --> 00:31:39.253
As sort of maybe plan b if they can't have their own kids.
00:31:39.253 --> 00:31:43.124
But again, jesus was adopted and that was plan a,
00:31:43.124 --> 00:31:46.094
And so was moses and others.
00:31:46.094 --> 00:31:49.931
And we felt that adoption was a real gift
00:31:49.931 --> 00:31:52.033
And it was a beautiful thing
00:31:52.033 --> 00:31:53.401
That is at the center of god's heart.
00:31:53.401 --> 00:31:55.470
And mom was adopted. - yep. yep.
00:31:55.470 --> 00:31:57.271
- so do you think that growing up in our house,
00:31:57.271 --> 00:32:01.876
That you could describe a little bit
00:32:02.677 --> 00:32:05.246
What it was like, what was unique about our house
00:32:05.246 --> 00:32:07.382
Having four adopted kids?
00:32:07.382 --> 00:32:08.950
I mean, did that make it fun?
00:32:08.950 --> 00:32:10.518
Did that make it difficult?
00:32:10.518 --> 00:32:11.853
Did you feel like mom and i
00:32:11.853 --> 00:32:13.588
Loved some kids more than other kids
00:32:13.588 --> 00:32:16.290
Because we have a diversity of colors
00:32:16.290 --> 00:32:19.260
And talents and all of that?
00:32:19.260 --> 00:32:20.995
- yeah, no, i definitely wouldn't say
00:32:20.995 --> 00:32:22.397
That the love or care was different for any of us.
00:32:22.397 --> 00:32:26.167
You guys did a very good job at tending to all of us
00:32:26.167 --> 00:32:29.337
And our certain needs
00:32:29.337 --> 00:32:30.705
And specific characteristics and things we do.
00:32:30.705 --> 00:32:33.641
I think the basis of that is like when you love god
00:32:33.641 --> 00:32:37.245
And you have that love from god,
00:32:37.245 --> 00:32:39.180
You know how to give that to other people.
00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:41.783
And it's love that the father gives us, right.
00:32:41.783 --> 00:32:45.920
So i think you guys did a very good job
00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:49.290
Of not treating us differently,
00:32:49.290 --> 00:32:51.692
And kind of something i like to say
00:32:51.692 --> 00:32:53.261
When i talk to people about adoption and our story is like,
00:32:53.261 --> 00:32:56.230
We're like the modern day brady bunch, you know?
00:32:56.230 --> 00:32:58.766
- right. - three boys and three girls,
00:32:58.766 --> 00:33:00.268
You know, so. - right.
00:33:00.268 --> 00:33:01.936
- yeah. it was a good way to grow up, so.
00:33:01.936 --> 00:33:04.572
- yeah, we just don't have the maid, alice.
00:33:04.572 --> 00:33:07.575
- yeah. - right.
00:33:07.575 --> 00:33:08.810
- she would've been really helpful.
00:33:08.810 --> 00:33:10.078
- that would've. yeah.
00:33:10.078 --> 00:33:11.312
- but you talked a little bit earlier
00:33:11.312 --> 00:33:13.781
About your identity
00:33:13.781 --> 00:33:16.017
And how for you as a teenager
00:33:16.017 --> 00:33:20.755
And being adopted had questions.
00:33:20.755 --> 00:33:23.224
You know, who am i like, you know,
00:33:23.224 --> 00:33:26.561
Am i a basketball player?
00:33:27.128 --> 00:33:28.396
Am i a surfer? - yeah.
00:33:28.396 --> 00:33:29.697
- am i an actor.
00:33:29.697 --> 00:33:31.032
Or maybe am i really just
00:33:31.032 --> 00:33:35.103
Destined to end up like my birth father?
00:33:35.103 --> 00:33:37.872
Am i gonna be walking down that same road
00:33:37.872 --> 00:33:41.042
Because he's in me?
00:33:41.042 --> 00:33:42.743
And then you came to this realization
00:33:42.743 --> 00:33:45.146
That your identity needs to be in christ,
00:33:45.146 --> 00:33:47.648
Not in what you're good at, or what you're not good at,
00:33:47.648 --> 00:33:50.551
Or who somebody else is, or your adoptive dad,
00:33:50.551 --> 00:33:53.754
Or your biological dad, but your heavenly father.
00:33:53.754 --> 00:33:56.891
How did you come to that realization at such a young age?
00:33:56.891 --> 00:34:00.361
- man, when i started looking at my story
00:34:00.361 --> 00:34:02.830
And trying to figure out things
00:34:02.830 --> 00:34:04.098
And trying to figure out who i was,
00:34:04.098 --> 00:34:06.901
Like we're talking about identity,
00:34:06.901 --> 00:34:08.936
You can go your whole life trying to figure out
00:34:09.937 --> 00:34:12.874
Who am i like, what am i gonna do with my life?
00:34:12.874 --> 00:34:15.810
And you can find out these things.
00:34:15.810 --> 00:34:18.346
But the truth is, is,
00:34:18.346 --> 00:34:20.581
You know, i imagine it like a big old puzzle
00:34:20.581 --> 00:34:23.818
And you're trying to get a picture from this puzzle.
00:34:23.818 --> 00:34:26.420
- yeah.
00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.722
- and the conclusion that i came down to
00:34:27.722 --> 00:34:30.791
Was that i laid down the final piece of the puzzle,
00:34:30.791 --> 00:34:33.694
Not that it was the last piece of the puzzle,
00:34:33.694 --> 00:34:36.097
But it was the piece that i just had to surrender
00:34:36.097 --> 00:34:38.733
And just say, "hey, god, here's the view of what i know,
00:34:38.733 --> 00:34:42.737
And i'm gonna trust you with the rest
00:34:42.737 --> 00:34:45.173
To fill in all the pieces that need to be filled in.
00:34:45.173 --> 00:34:47.742
Then i'm gonna trust you with what's here."
00:34:47.742 --> 00:34:50.344
And, you know, then i didn't really ask the questions
00:34:50.344 --> 00:34:54.115
To my birth parents about being like,
00:34:54.115 --> 00:34:55.983
"hey, what happened here?
00:34:55.983 --> 00:34:58.419
What went on here?
00:34:58.419 --> 00:35:00.121
Why did you do this? why?"
00:35:00.121 --> 00:35:01.289
And i just stopped.
00:35:01.289 --> 00:35:02.657
I just said, "hey, i accept it for what it is.
00:35:02.657 --> 00:35:04.759
Lord, i'm gonna lay down that last piece of the puzzle,
00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:07.795
And i know you see the whole picture,
00:35:07.795 --> 00:35:09.197
But that's it." - yeah. that's so good.
00:35:09.197 --> 00:35:11.432
- so - that's so good.
00:35:11.432 --> 00:35:12.767
And that i think all of us can relate to,
00:35:12.767 --> 00:35:15.836
Because i don't know what's gonna happen in the future,
00:35:15.836 --> 00:35:18.673
You know.
00:35:18.673 --> 00:35:19.807
I'm trying to create the big picture
00:35:19.807 --> 00:35:21.375
That i think is gonna be a really good picture
00:35:21.375 --> 00:35:23.311
And, you know, with your loving mom and raising kids,
00:35:23.311 --> 00:35:26.681
Having a family, honoring the lord,
00:35:26.681 --> 00:35:28.049
But i don't know at the end of the day
00:35:28.049 --> 00:35:28.983
What that's gonna look like.
00:35:28.983 --> 00:35:30.318
And everybody's gotta just do what you did.
00:35:30.318 --> 00:35:32.153
And that is, "lord, this is what i know, this is who i am.
00:35:32.153 --> 00:35:35.256
And you take care of the final result."
00:35:35.256 --> 00:35:38.159
- yeah. - but.
00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.160
- its a scary thing when you
00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:41.262
As a parent are doing that for your kids.
00:35:41.262 --> 00:35:44.198
But when you trust in god
00:35:44.198 --> 00:35:45.900
And you give them that type of trust
00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:47.902
Between you and god, that's what made me see like,
00:35:47.902 --> 00:35:50.404
Wow, that relationship between you and god,
00:35:50.404 --> 00:35:52.540
And you see that they're gonna be all right,
00:35:52.540 --> 00:35:55.109
You know, because i trust in god.
00:35:55.109 --> 00:35:57.311
And that's the kind of trust i want
00:35:57.311 --> 00:35:58.813
For my future home and my kids one day.
00:35:58.813 --> 00:36:01.816
- so i know you want to be a dad.
00:36:01.816 --> 00:36:03.951
I mean, you're engaged right now.
00:36:03.951 --> 00:36:05.553
- yep. - that's very exciting.
00:36:05.553 --> 00:36:07.188
And so, when you think about being a future father,
00:36:07.188 --> 00:36:11.392
What do you hope
00:36:11.759 --> 00:36:13.761
That being adopted has taught you
00:36:13.761 --> 00:36:16.464
That will make you a better dad?
00:36:16.464 --> 00:36:21.335
- i think a big word that comes to my mind is patience
00:36:22.436 --> 00:36:25.673
And being able to work with my kids,
00:36:25.673 --> 00:36:27.375
Even though i'm, you know,
00:36:27.375 --> 00:36:29.477
Especially in the adoptive or in the adoption world,
00:36:29.477 --> 00:36:32.380
People adopt kids who have disabilities
00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:34.815
And those parents have to be patient,
00:36:34.815 --> 00:36:37.685
Really patient with their child, right.
00:36:37.685 --> 00:36:40.087
You know, with me coming along,
00:36:40.721 --> 00:36:42.690
I know i wasn't the easiest kid growing up to parent
00:36:42.690 --> 00:36:46.027
And made some choices,
00:36:46.027 --> 00:36:47.461
And things that were decisions away from the lord.
00:36:47.461 --> 00:36:50.531
But, you know, ultimately,
00:36:50.531 --> 00:36:54.068
You know, being patient with your child
00:36:54.869 --> 00:36:57.271
And giving 'em wise instructions and counsel,
00:36:57.271 --> 00:37:00.941
And loving them through the hard times and the good times.
00:37:00.941 --> 00:37:03.577
- yeah. yeah. - you know.
00:37:03.577 --> 00:37:04.879
And that's the kind of father i wanna be,
00:37:04.879 --> 00:37:06.247
'cause that's what you've been to me,
00:37:06.247 --> 00:37:08.516
That's what god has been to me.
00:37:08.516 --> 00:37:09.784
So i wanna continue that.
00:37:09.784 --> 00:37:12.653
- luke, i'm so excited. i wanna get more into your story
00:37:12.653 --> 00:37:14.488
And i want to talk more about together as one.
00:37:14.488 --> 00:37:17.291
But first, are you thinking about adopting a child
00:37:17.291 --> 00:37:19.560
To be a part of your family?
00:37:19.560 --> 00:37:21.495
What are some of the steps to consider?
00:37:21.495 --> 00:37:23.331
When we come back we're gonna talk more with luke
00:37:23.331 --> 00:37:25.499
About his chosen path and ministry
00:37:25.499 --> 00:37:28.235
In helping parents through the adoption process,
00:37:28.235 --> 00:37:31.138
So don't go away.
00:37:31.138 --> 00:37:32.340
(upbeat music)
00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:38.000
(upbeat music)
00:37:38.313 --> 00:37:44.419
We're back with my son, luke cameron,
00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:47.122
And we're talking about adoption.
00:37:47.122 --> 00:37:49.324
So luke, what is together as one?
00:37:49.324 --> 00:37:52.961
- yeah, so together as one
00:37:52.961 --> 00:37:54.396
Is an adoption grant assist nonprofit.
00:37:54.396 --> 00:37:56.965
So we give out grants to families who want to come in
00:37:56.965 --> 00:38:00.035
And afford the adoption process at a lower cost, so.
00:38:00.035 --> 00:38:03.872
- so adoption is expensive nowadays.
00:38:03.872 --> 00:38:06.942
- oh yeah. - i don't know
00:38:06.942 --> 00:38:08.377
How expensive it is if you're going through a charity
00:38:08.377 --> 00:38:10.746
Or it's a private adoption,
00:38:10.746 --> 00:38:12.347
Or maybe there's government assistance.
00:38:12.347 --> 00:38:14.950
I'm not sure.
00:38:14.950 --> 00:38:16.284
But isn't that one of the number one hurdles
00:38:16.284 --> 00:38:17.786
For families being able to adopt children?
00:38:17.786 --> 00:38:20.222
- yes, absolutely.
00:38:20.222 --> 00:38:21.456
A lot of families get very overwhelmed
00:38:21.456 --> 00:38:23.225
By the prices and the lawyer fees,
00:38:23.225 --> 00:38:26.128
The agency fees, and they get so overwhelmed
00:38:26.128 --> 00:38:28.397
That they're like, i don't wanna continue this anymore.
00:38:28.397 --> 00:38:31.166
- so together as one is helping them
00:38:31.166 --> 00:38:33.735
With those financial costs
00:38:33.735 --> 00:38:35.437
To bridge the gap so that you can create
00:38:35.437 --> 00:38:37.806
These forever families for these kids.
00:38:37.806 --> 00:38:39.241
- absolutely. absolutely.
00:38:39.241 --> 00:38:40.609
- that's awesome.
00:38:40.609 --> 00:38:41.710
Now, what in the world inspired you
00:38:41.710 --> 00:38:43.712
To want to devote your life to this?
00:38:43.712 --> 00:38:46.381
- yeah. so as we're talking about, i am adopted myself.
00:38:46.381 --> 00:38:49.651
- no way, are you serious?
00:38:49.651 --> 00:38:51.253
(both laughing)
00:38:51.253 --> 00:38:52.654
- so, yeah.
00:38:52.654 --> 00:38:53.822
No, my adoption story really sparked,
00:38:53.822 --> 00:38:57.058
You know, the reason why i wanted to continue this
00:38:57.058 --> 00:38:59.194
And go down this path,
00:38:59.194 --> 00:39:00.796
And being able to help a kid who,
00:39:00.796 --> 00:39:03.999
You know, luckily for you and mom,
00:39:03.999 --> 00:39:06.301
You've been able to afford the adoption process
00:39:06.301 --> 00:39:08.170
With four kids, right.
00:39:08.170 --> 00:39:09.905
And, you know, nowadays, if somebody were to do that,
00:39:09.905 --> 00:39:12.240
It's, you know, it extremely, extremely expensive.
00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:14.709
- really expensive.
00:39:14.709 --> 00:39:16.111
- it would probably be up in the $200,000 range.
00:39:16.111 --> 00:39:17.479
- wow. - for four kids.
00:39:17.479 --> 00:39:19.448
And so just being able to help families
00:39:19.448 --> 00:39:22.083
Be able to connect the child and the parents together
00:39:22.083 --> 00:39:26.221
Through the financial process, so.
00:39:26.221 --> 00:39:28.423
- and what are some of the different aspects
00:39:28.423 --> 00:39:30.859
That you focus on with together as one?
00:39:30.859 --> 00:39:33.328
You help the adoptive parents with the finances,
00:39:33.328 --> 00:39:37.699
And then what else do you help them with?
00:39:37.699 --> 00:39:40.302
- yeah, so what else we do is
00:39:40.302 --> 00:39:42.804
We also have a program called adp,
00:39:43.572 --> 00:39:45.507
The adoption discipleship program.
00:39:45.507 --> 00:39:47.108
So it walks through in correlation with adoption,
00:39:47.108 --> 00:39:51.112
It's prayer, fasting, community and scripture,
00:39:51.112 --> 00:39:55.317
And how all four of those tie in to adoption.
00:39:55.317 --> 00:39:58.019
And how to walk through. - oh wow.
00:39:58.019 --> 00:39:59.387
- you know, the beginning process of adoption.
00:39:59.387 --> 00:40:01.022
Well, where do i start?
00:40:01.022 --> 00:40:02.257
Well, let's start talking about prayer
00:40:02.257 --> 00:40:04.292
And how do we start that through our process?
00:40:04.292 --> 00:40:07.229
How do we start fasting,
00:40:07.229 --> 00:40:09.364
And how do we find community and people to surround us,
00:40:09.364 --> 00:40:12.834
To love us during this time?
00:40:12.834 --> 00:40:14.636
And then, what does god say in his word about adoption?
00:40:14.636 --> 00:40:18.240
How can i learn more about that, so.
00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:20.642
- that's great.
00:40:20.642 --> 00:40:21.610
So it's a financial assistant,
00:40:21.610 --> 00:40:23.278
But it's also education, answering important questions.
00:40:23.278 --> 00:40:26.114
- yes. - and helping to walk
00:40:26.114 --> 00:40:27.415
The parents through that whole process.
00:40:27.415 --> 00:40:29.317
So if someone's listening right now
00:40:29.317 --> 00:40:31.052
Who is considering adoption,
00:40:31.052 --> 00:40:34.055
What kind of encouragement
00:40:34.623 --> 00:40:36.124
Or advice would you give
00:40:36.124 --> 00:40:39.027
To parents who are adopting, but they might feel scared?
00:40:39.027 --> 00:40:42.998
- yeah. man, mom says this a lot.
00:40:42.998 --> 00:40:45.800
And she says, "god multiplies what he loves."
00:40:45.800 --> 00:40:49.671
If it is truly on your heart
00:40:49.671 --> 00:40:51.273
And it is from the lord that you are supposed to adopt,
00:40:51.273 --> 00:40:55.710
Then god will multiply your family,
00:40:55.710 --> 00:40:57.646
Because he loves family.
00:40:57.646 --> 00:41:00.348
Like you say, you know, we talk about too,
00:41:00.348 --> 00:41:03.184
Is adoption is the center of god's heart, you know.
00:41:03.184 --> 00:41:07.689
You know jesus was adopted. - yeah.
00:41:07.689 --> 00:41:09.658
- you know, and moses was adopted,
00:41:09.658 --> 00:41:12.460
And you see all these biblical characters
00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:14.329
And adoption is, you know,
00:41:14.329 --> 00:41:16.698
All of us are adopted into christ at one point.
00:41:16.698 --> 00:41:19.801
You know, from sin to,
00:41:19.801 --> 00:41:21.570
You know, newness with god
00:41:22.137 --> 00:41:23.772
And walking in a relationship with him.
00:41:23.772 --> 00:41:25.173
- yeah. - so, yeah.
00:41:25.173 --> 00:41:27.309
- that's so true.
00:41:27.309 --> 00:41:29.411
Even though i wasn't adopted by my mom and dad,
00:41:29.411 --> 00:41:33.214
Being adopted into god's family
00:41:33.848 --> 00:41:37.619
By faith in christ,
00:41:37.619 --> 00:41:39.588
In a sense, it's kind of a new beginning, right.
00:41:40.522 --> 00:41:43.592
Like jesus says, you're born again.
00:41:43.592 --> 00:41:45.794
And in a sense, i think that adoption allows us
00:41:45.794 --> 00:41:48.263
To break some chains
00:41:48.263 --> 00:41:50.165
From our natural family.
00:41:50.665 --> 00:41:53.034
So there's good things from
00:41:53.635 --> 00:41:54.803
Our natural biological parents, right.
00:41:54.803 --> 00:41:57.505
I mean, a lot of the talent that you have, you know,
00:41:57.505 --> 00:42:00.842
The people skills you have,
00:42:01.443 --> 00:42:02.777
The basketball skills you have,
00:42:02.777 --> 00:42:04.245
All of the crazy things, you know.
00:42:04.245 --> 00:42:06.715
You could throw an acorn from 20 yards away
00:42:06.715 --> 00:42:10.051
And hit your sister with it across the yard,
00:42:10.051 --> 00:42:12.420
'cause you got incredible hand-eye coordination.
00:42:12.420 --> 00:42:14.656
You may have inherited from your biological parents.
00:42:14.656 --> 00:42:17.726
- yeah. - but,
00:42:17.726 --> 00:42:19.227
When you're adopted into god's family,
00:42:20.061 --> 00:42:21.830
You can break some of those sin chains
00:42:21.830 --> 00:42:25.000
And have a new beginning, and.
00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:27.502
- i can do the same thing.
00:42:28.069 --> 00:42:29.471
What are some of the other benefits
00:42:29.471 --> 00:42:31.206
That you see in being adopted,
00:42:31.206 --> 00:42:34.476
And what are some of the unique struggles
00:42:34.476 --> 00:42:36.811
That come with being adopted?
00:42:36.811 --> 00:42:38.647
- yeah, so in terms of the benefits or the upside of that,
00:42:39.781 --> 00:42:43.585
I think being in a christian home,
00:42:43.585 --> 00:42:45.286
Being able to see what a relationship
00:42:45.286 --> 00:42:47.889
With god looks like,
00:42:47.889 --> 00:42:49.758
And just being able to have a second chance at life.
00:42:49.758 --> 00:42:53.228
- that's right. - to be able to
00:42:53.228 --> 00:42:54.996
Have education, have a family that loves me,
00:42:54.996 --> 00:42:58.700
To be able to do a bunch of other things
00:42:58.700 --> 00:43:02.570
That if i was in my birth family
00:43:02.570 --> 00:43:04.139
I probably would've never done something even like this.
00:43:04.139 --> 00:43:07.475
But now that i'm here, and with the resources
00:43:07.475 --> 00:43:09.844
And with the things god has blessed you with
00:43:09.844 --> 00:43:14.416
That now i can be a part of because of being in your home.
00:43:14.416 --> 00:43:17.852
And i think to answer the other fold of the question,
00:43:18.953 --> 00:43:22.057
I would say the negative, the challenges of being adopted,
00:43:22.057 --> 00:43:28.263
I would say just fighting your identity consistently
00:43:29.330 --> 00:43:34.636
When you're so young and trying to figure out
00:43:35.537 --> 00:43:37.539
How to, i guess, climb the ladder, per se,
00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:42.844
To finding that relationship with you and god
00:43:43.745 --> 00:43:46.748
And not turning away to drinking or smoking,
00:43:46.748 --> 00:43:50.051
Or anything that i did in my past,
00:43:50.051 --> 00:43:52.620
'cause that wasn't truly me.
00:43:52.620 --> 00:43:57.425
That was not who god called me to be.
00:43:57.425 --> 00:43:59.494
God called me to be something higher, something...
00:43:59.494 --> 00:44:02.664
I have it on my side, and it's one corinthians 6:20.
00:44:02.664 --> 00:44:05.734
It says, "for you have been bought with a price,
00:44:05.734 --> 00:44:07.869
Therefore glorify god with your body."
00:44:07.869 --> 00:44:10.205
To know that i have been bought with a deep price,
00:44:11.206 --> 00:44:14.676
And christ sees me as that.
00:44:15.276 --> 00:44:17.312
And then receiving that kind of same value
00:44:17.312 --> 00:44:21.182
From a parent perspective.
00:44:21.750 --> 00:44:23.818
- mm-hmm. luke, what are some of the challenges
00:44:23.818 --> 00:44:28.123
That parents who wanna adopt
00:44:28.123 --> 00:44:30.692
Need to think about before they start the process?
00:44:30.692 --> 00:44:35.096
- yeah. so financially, something we do
00:44:35.897 --> 00:44:40.068
At "together as one" is we go through
00:44:40.068 --> 00:44:41.469
The financials of our families that apply.
00:44:41.469 --> 00:44:43.738
So if you're applying, we make sure that you don't have
00:44:43.738 --> 00:44:48.243
Not enough money to take care of your child,
00:44:48.243 --> 00:44:49.778
But we also make sure you have enough money
00:44:49.778 --> 00:44:52.714
To be able to go through the process, or at least start it,
00:44:53.882 --> 00:44:55.450
Then we come along and give a grant out to our families,
00:44:55.450 --> 00:44:58.386
Not being afraid of the financial barrier
00:44:58.386 --> 00:45:03.324
In stepping fully confident into that.
00:45:03.324 --> 00:45:06.661
The finances scare people.
00:45:07.228 --> 00:45:09.230
Also, the "can i take in a child
00:45:09.230 --> 00:45:12.200
Who is from a different family,
00:45:12.200 --> 00:45:13.601
Has different characteristics,
00:45:13.601 --> 00:45:15.069
And i don't know if i could take care of that?"
00:45:15.069 --> 00:45:17.105
But, no, when you just love a child for who they are,
00:45:17.105 --> 00:45:22.377
How god has made them,
00:45:22.877 --> 00:45:24.045
And you, like it says in the bible,
00:45:24.045 --> 00:45:27.715
Train up a child in the way that they should go,
00:45:27.715 --> 00:45:30.385
Then you know how to parent that kid and direct them
00:45:31.419 --> 00:45:35.390
But, ultimately, it's their choice, so...
00:45:35.390 --> 00:45:37.625
- yeah. - yeah.
00:45:37.625 --> 00:45:38.560
- yeah. i consider adoption
00:45:38.560 --> 00:45:40.662
To be as big of a gift to me
00:45:40.662 --> 00:45:42.964
As you might consider it to be to you.
00:45:43.765 --> 00:45:47.268
If i didn't have you, we wouldn't have had
00:45:47.268 --> 00:45:49.737
All these great experiences,
00:45:49.737 --> 00:45:51.739
We wouldn't have had this great conversation.
00:45:51.739 --> 00:45:54.509
"together as one" wouldn't be a thing.
00:45:54.509 --> 00:45:57.212
And so, same with your brother jack and bella and anna,
00:45:57.212 --> 00:46:01.950
And because of people who value life, first of all,
00:46:01.950 --> 00:46:07.188
And didn't try to solve
00:46:07.689 --> 00:46:11.492
A difficult situation with an abortion.
00:46:11.492 --> 00:46:13.795
Because of that i have mom, because of that i have you,
00:46:14.929 --> 00:46:18.499
I have jack and bella and anna.
00:46:18.499 --> 00:46:21.135
And because of that, and because mom was alive,
00:46:21.135 --> 00:46:25.506
I also have james and olivia,
00:46:25.506 --> 00:46:27.542
'cause they wouldn't be here if mom wasn't here.
00:46:28.476 --> 00:46:30.612
And then adoption is right there
00:46:30.612 --> 00:46:33.081
At the center of all of it too.
00:46:33.081 --> 00:46:35.116
So adoption is awesome, i'm so proud of you.
00:46:35.116 --> 00:46:38.319
I love what you're doing with "together as one".
00:46:38.319 --> 00:46:40.321
As we close up the conversation,
00:46:40.321 --> 00:46:42.290
What would you say to a young kid who has been adopted
00:46:43.358 --> 00:46:47.295
And is struggling with stuff?
00:46:47.295 --> 00:46:49.130
How would you encourage that kid, adoptee to adoptee?
00:46:49.130 --> 00:46:53.101
- yeah. coming from one kid
00:46:53.101 --> 00:46:55.336
Who struggled with my identity for a little while
00:46:55.336 --> 00:46:58.673
And trying to find my relationship with god,
00:46:58.673 --> 00:47:01.442
I would say, one, to never give up
00:47:01.442 --> 00:47:05.346
In trying to find the lord.
00:47:05.346 --> 00:47:08.716
And two, is that, like i said earlier,
00:47:08.716 --> 00:47:14.055
You have been bought with a price.
00:47:14.822 --> 00:47:16.124
God has a price on your life,
00:47:16.124 --> 00:47:18.192
And he wants great and tremendous things
00:47:18.192 --> 00:47:21.896
To become of your life.
00:47:21.896 --> 00:47:23.932
And when you see that, then you're able to
00:47:23.932 --> 00:47:29.203
Follow along in his will, and to just never give up
00:47:30.271 --> 00:47:34.309
Because it's easy to just let go
00:47:34.309 --> 00:47:38.246
Because of your circumstances that you were born into,
00:47:38.246 --> 00:47:41.149
Or the mind games that the devil tells you all the time.
00:47:41.149 --> 00:47:46.454
Know that you're bought with a price
00:47:47.221 --> 00:47:48.556
And that god has huge things for your life.
00:47:48.556 --> 00:47:50.224
I mean, look at me, i started a ministry
00:47:50.224 --> 00:47:52.527
At 25 years old, trying to figure it out.
00:47:52.527 --> 00:47:54.929
Nothing is impossible or too crazy
00:47:55.697 --> 00:47:58.232
For god to do through you,
00:47:58.232 --> 00:48:00.902
Just be confident and courageous and go for it.
00:48:00.902 --> 00:48:04.872
So, yeah. - and i'm so excited
00:48:04.872 --> 00:48:07.141
Because you've got your first family that you have helped,
00:48:07.141 --> 00:48:09.610
And you've got more families that are applying,
00:48:09.610 --> 00:48:11.879
That are wanting to bring these kids in
00:48:11.879 --> 00:48:13.915
And it's really going great,
00:48:13.915 --> 00:48:15.283
And people are supporting "together as one".
00:48:15.283 --> 00:48:17.418
If someone wants to support "together as one",
00:48:17.418 --> 00:48:20.054
Where can they go to learn more?
00:48:20.054 --> 00:48:21.990
- yeah. so our website is
00:48:21.990 --> 00:48:23.558
Togetheras1, with the number one, .org,
00:48:23.558 --> 00:48:26.260
And they can go on there, they can see our resources,
00:48:26.260 --> 00:48:29.263
The grant application, and they can see the families
00:48:29.263 --> 00:48:32.867
That are on there as well that we're trying to help,
00:48:32.867 --> 00:48:35.169
And give grants out to. so, yeah.
00:48:35.169 --> 00:48:37.105
- okay, togetheras1, the number one-
00:48:37.105 --> 00:48:40.041
- .org. - .org.
00:48:40.041 --> 00:48:41.009
- yeah. - and we can also
00:48:41.009 --> 00:48:42.176
Follow you on social media, right?
00:48:42.176 --> 00:48:43.411
- yeah, mm-hmm. instagram, facebook. yeah.
00:48:43.411 --> 00:48:47.048
- that's awesome. - yeah.
00:48:47.048 --> 00:48:48.182
- luke, i'm so proud of you.
00:48:48.182 --> 00:48:49.450
Thanks so much for coming on "takeaways"
00:48:49.450 --> 00:48:51.119
And sharing your story.
00:48:51.119 --> 00:48:52.086
- yeah, thank you.
00:48:52.086 --> 00:48:53.788
- after the break, we'll review today's takeaways.
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What incredible conversations with jamie finn
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And my son, luke cameron, about raising children
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Through foster care and adoption opportunities.
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They both highlighted that the gospel
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Is what transforms every broken story,
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Even the hardest ones.
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Let's go over some key takeaways.
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Meet kids where they are.
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Jamie reminded us that we must meet kids in their pain,
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Not bypass it.
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When kids enter foster care,
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Even though they're gaining a loving, healthy family,
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They're also losing a family.
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These children are feeling so many things at once,
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Sad, confused, lonely, happy, grateful, angry.
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Jamie reminded us that we have to allow them
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To feel whatever they're feeling,
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And then meet them where they are.
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When children understand that their brokenness
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Fits into god's bigger story of redemption,
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It changes everything.
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That's not just good parenting, that's the gospel at work.
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Embrace attachment, even if it breaks your heart.
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Jamie reminded us that opening your heart
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And forming an attachment
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Is exactly what these kids desperately need.
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They need someone willing to put their heart on the line,
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Whether it's for a week or years.
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Of course, you're going to be heartbroken when they leave,
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But that's the kind of love and commitment that's needed.
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That's what following jesus looks like.
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We're not promised comfortable lives,
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We're called to take up our cross,
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Step into suffering with love and sacrifice.
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Your identity comes from jesus.
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I love how luke reminded us that when we trust jesus,
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He starts to fill in the missing pieces of our story.
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I really love hearing him say
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That it's about surrendering your life puzzle to god
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And then trusting him to fill in the pieces.
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It's so easy to get caught up in identity labels,
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Adopted or athlete, or artist,
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But luke discovered his true identity was child of god.
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As a child of god, it means that you have inherent worth
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Regardless of your past,
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Regardless of your present struggles,
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Or whatever the future holds.
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You are valued, you are loved, and will never be left alone,
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Simply because of who you are in christ.
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Adoption is a reflection of god's heart.
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Just as adoptive parents freely choose their children,
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God chooses us, adopting us into his family
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Through faith in jesus.
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Choosing through adoption mirrors god's act of love
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And grace toward us.
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So when you feel that desire to open your heart
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And your home to a child, it's because god has placed
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A heart of compassion within you.
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And if you have the opportunity to foster a child or adopt,
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Know that you are modeling god's heart to the world.
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And when you trust him and step out in faith,
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I believe that he'll multiply that love
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In ways you never imagined.
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That's all for this episode of takeaways.
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Thanks for watching.
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And if you've enjoyed this show,
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Don't forget to set your dvr to never miss an episode.
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And, of course, you can always catch up on past episodes
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By searching for takeaways on tbn plus
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Or by visiting the kirk cameron on tbn youtube channel.
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We'll see you here next time for more great conversations.
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Jaime Finn & Luke Cameron: Opening Hearts and Homes to Children in Need | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron

October 13, 2025 | S E | 54:32

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