Posted on October 24, 2026 by Kim Laube
Adoption
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November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the many ways God creates and sustains families. For congregations, it is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can walk alongside families who are discerning, actively pursuing, or welcoming a child home through adoption.
Many Christians view adoption as a deeply personal calling. Yet adoption is rarely a journey that families can navigate alone. The process often involves significant emotional, spiritual, practical, and financial challenges. While agencies and professionals provide guidance, the Church has a unique role to play in surrounding adoptive families with prayer, encouragement, and tangible support.
At Lutheran Family Service, we regularly hear from adoptive parents who describe the waiting season as one of the most difficult parts of their journey. We also hear stories of congregations that stepped in with meals, prayers, fundraising efforts, childcare, and encouragement during moments when families needed it most. Those acts of support often become lasting reminders of God’s provision and care.
Here are meaningful ways the Church can walk alongside children, birth parents, and adoptive families throughout the adoption journey.
When people think about adoption, they often focus exclusively on the adoptive family. But adoption touches many lives.
Congregations can pray for:
Prayer reminds families they are not carrying their burdens alone. Including adoption-related petitions during worship services or congregational prayer lists can be a meaningful way to acknowledge and support these families.
Sometimes adoptive families are hesitant to talk about their adoption journey because they worry others will not understand.
Congregations can help create a culture where adoption is celebrated as one of the many ways God builds families.
National Adoption Month provides an excellent opportunity to:
These conversations help normalize adoption and encourage families exploring adoption.
When a child is placed with a family, life changes overnight.
Just as congregations often rally around families following the birth of a child, the same support should be extended to adoptive families.
Simple acts of service can make a tremendous difference:
Most people want to be supportive, but sometimes well-intentioned comments can unintentionally create discomfort.
Questions such as, “Do you know anything about the birth parents?” or “Is that your real child?” may be asked out of curiosity, yet they can be painful for adoptive families.
Simple statements like:
communicate care far more effectively than intrusive questions.
Adoption is not a single event. It is a lifelong journey.
As children grow, adoption-related questions and conversations evolve. Families may encounter unique parenting challenges, identity questions, or relationships with birth family members.
Congregations can provide ongoing support by:
One of the most common concerns prospective adoptive parents express is cost.
While families willingly make sacrifices to pursue adoption, the financial realities can feel overwhelming. Home studies, agency services, legal expenses, travel costs, and post-placement requirements can add up quickly.
Fortunately, churches, Lutheran organizations, and pro-life ministries are finding creative ways to help.
The Iowa District West of the LCMS is launching a new adoption assistance fund designed to support families connected to Iowa District West congregations. Through this initiative, qualifying families may receive up to $4,000 toward adoption-related expenses.
The effort is being spearheaded by Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney, who serves as Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care & Stewardship for Iowa District West. Families interested in learning more or obtaining an application can contact him through the district office or visit the district website.
Central Illinois District Adoption Fund
The adoption assistance fund in the Central Illinois District was created through the efforts of the district’s Lutherans For Life team, with Valerie Boehne playing an important role in establishing the ministry. The fund exists to provide financial support and encouragement to families within the district who are pursuing adoption.
Families interested in learning more about this opportunity may contact Lutheran Family Service, and we would be happy to connect them with the appropriate application and information.
Lutheran Family Service LifeSong for Orphans Fund
In addition to district-based assistance programs, families working with Lutheran Family Service may also apply for assistance through the Lutheran Family Service LifeSong for Orphans Fund.
A powerful way to support adoption is by supporting the ministries that make adoption services available in the first place.
At Lutheran Family Service, adoption fees cover only about half of the actual cost of providing adoption services. The remaining support comes through charitable contributions from individuals, congregations, and organizations, such as the LWML.
Many people are surprised to learn how much work happens long before an adoption placement ever occurs.
Our staff spend countless hours providing counseling and support to expectant parents who are facing difficult decisions. We travel across our service area to meet with women in person, help them explore all of their options, connect them with resources, and provide ongoing support regardless of whether they ultimately choose adoption.
In fact, for every expectant parent who ultimately creates an adoption plan, many others receive counseling, guidance, and assistance as they consider their options. Those services are an important part of our mission and reflect our commitment to caring for people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Donations also help sustain specialized adoption programs that might otherwise be unavailable to many families. Lutheran Family Service provides not only domestic infant adoption services, but also programs supporting Down syndrome and embryo adoption. These ministries serve unique populations and reflect our belief that every child is a gift from God.
For those looking for a way to support adoption during National Adoption Month, prayerfully consider supporting Lutheran Family Service.
There may be families in your congregation quietly wondering whether adoption could be part of God’s plan for their future.
Sometimes all they need is encouragement, a testimony, or a conversation.
When congregations celebrate adoption, support adoptive families, and share resources, they create an environment where families feel comfortable exploring that calling.
Not every Christian family will be called to adopt. But every congregation can play a role in supporting children, birth parents, and adoptive families.
The beauty of the Church is that no one is meant to walk alone.
As both the Deputy Director and Director of Life Ministries at Lutheran Family Service and an adoptive parent, I have seen adoption from multiple perspectives. I’ve walked alongside families professionally, but I’ve also experienced the uncertainty, waiting, excitement, and gratitude that come with bringing a child home through adoption.
One truth has become increasingly clear to me over the years:
“Looking back, I can see God’s faithfulness in every step of our adoption journey. But I can also see the many people He placed around us along the way to pray for us, encourage us, and support our family.”
“The Church is at its best when no family walks alone.”
When a family pursues adoption, they are taking steps into a journey filled with hope, uncertainty, prayer, and faith. Congregations have the opportunity to walk alongside them every step of the way.
As we observe National Adoption Month, may our congregations continue to be places where children are welcomed, families are strengthened, and God’s gift of adoption is celebrated.
Through prayer, service, generosity, and compassion, congregations can help ensure that families never walk the adoption journey alone.
Lutheran Family Service is here to provide guidance, support, and compassionate care for hopeful adoptive families, expectant parents, and birth families every step of the way.
Adoption isn’t just a choice—it’s a calling, a relationship, and a powerful reflection of God’s love for us.
“He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” – Ephesians 1:5
Learn more about Christian adoption through Lutheran Family Service HERE.
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