The number of participating counties has grown since the last time Baptist Messenger reported on the CarePortal. More Oklahoma Baptist churches also are involved in supporting foster and adoptive families through the web-based sharing platform.
Members of the University of Oklahoma football team worked with Oklahoma Baptist churches to build bunk beds to help meet needs of foster and adoptive families. This project was made possible through the CarePortal.
A Jan. 26, 2021 article introduced Messenger readers to the CarePortal, which is coordinated by 111Project. At that time, CarePortal was available in 23 Oklahoma counties. Currently, 56 of the state’s 77 counties have connections to CarePortal, and two more counties will launch access to CarePortal later this month.
More than 200 Oklahoma Baptist churches are now participating in the CarePortal, and stories abound of how these churches are impacting families and communities.
Many churches have been building bunk beds for families. Tulsa, Battle Creek has a bunk bed ministry, and more than 60 percent of the connections through this ministry have led to people getting further involved at the church.
Jeremy Smith, pastor of Midwest City, Eastwood, said his church recently got involved with doing ministry through the CarePortal.
“We, as a church, continue to take a pro-life stance, which means walking with those who choose life, supporting those involved in foster and adoptive care,” Smith said.
As an adoptive parent himself, Smith knows the value of CarePortal’s assistance. One of the first ministry opportunities Eastwood experienced was with a foster mom who was looking for shoes for a five-year-old boy. Smith asked for four members to give $25 each for the shoes. He said someone responded willing to pay the whole $100, and he was not surprised with the response because “We are a generous church.”
However, Smith wanted to make this opportunity for others to be involved in giving too.
“The idea is ‘share the burden, share the blessing,’” Smith said. “If we all come together, we can do more. We want to give people the opportunity to be blessed in meeting needs.”
Amy Cordova, missions and women’s ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, is encouraged by the number of Oklahoma Baptist churches serving through the CarePortal and believes this is an effective way for church members to grow in their own spiritual lives.
“I think it’s one of the greatest discipleship tools for the church,” Cordova said about the CarePortal. “For example, a small group could take on a project, and together they could provide that need for that family. It’s a hands-on opportunity to teach people in your small group or in your church how to do ministry within their community.”
Chris Campbell, executive director of 111Project shared a life-changing story as a result of churches being involved with the CarePortal.
“Just recently, Durant, First was involved in meeting a need for a young man (in the DHS system) who recently had his parental rights terminated,” Campbell said. “This happened the day before his birthday. CarePortal connected the young man to Durant, First whose members were able to do something special to celebrate his birthday. Ultimately, this led not only to a great birthday but an ‘eternal birthday’ as the young man gave his life to Christ.”
Campbell reported that the young man eventually was baptized at a church in another community where he lives. 111Project has seen the number of children in care move from 11,300 children in 2015 to 6,074 children in care at the beginning of 2024.
“This reduction of children in care is greatly due to the quantifiable impact of the local church,” Campbell said.
For churches interested in getting involved with CarePortal, visit 111project.org/oklahoma and see how to impact communities and support foster and adoptive families. For more information about foster care and adoption, visit obhc.org, the website of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.
