Keziah’s Hope Adoption Ministry
This ministry exists to glorify God by further developing a church culture that purposefully fulfills God’s call to care for the fatherless, by supporting families who care for orphans, and advocate for children in need.
James 1:27
ADOPTION STATISTICS
- There are over 150 million orphans worldwide waiting for a permanent home.
- There are roughly 430,000 children in foster care in the United States
- Nearly 110,000 foster children are currently eligible for adoption in the United States
- There are nearly 15,000 children in foster care in Pennsylvania
- Although 38% of practicing Christians have seriously considered adoption, only 5% have actually adopted.
- Let’s help change these statistics and bring a child into our family.
KEZIAH’S PURPOSE
Keziah’s Hope exists to assist families at Lebanon Valley Bible Church become a forever home for a child in need. Named after Tony and Jodi Zell’s infant daughter, who passed away suddenly in 2015, this ministry works to Advocate, Administrate, and Assist LVBC families fulfill God’s command to care for the orphans (James 1:27). The ministry works to inform families of the many needs and options for adoption. The goal is to journey alongside adoptive families and promote a support network of fellow believers providing financial, educational, administrative, familial, emotional, and spiritual support. Keziah’s Hope exists to give more couples the hope of bringing a child home, to giving parentless children a safe and loving home, and to share the gospel with everyone throughout the process.
KEZIAH’S STORY
On April 25, 2015, God called our infant daughter, Keziah Annette, home. We had never experienced such deep grief, and yet, we have always had hope, knowing we will hold our daughter again. We are comforted knowing that she is not really lost. She is actually safely home, completely healed, and pain free.
At the time of her funeral, we longed to do something meaningful and enduring to honor her life. At the same time God was burdening our hearts with the needs of vulnerable children and His desire for believers to care for them. We asked the church to open an adoption fund and instructed friends and family to donate towards it in lieu of flowers or gifts. In the weeks and months that followed, we began seeking how best to facilitate the use of these funds and how to multiply the funds to rescue as many children as possible through adoption. Keziah’s Hope is the ministry born out of these efforts. It is our hope that many couples will experience the joy of bringing a child into their home. It is our hope that many children will be brought safely home and will learn of the hope of heaven. We seek to help families through the whole process of adoption and/or foster care, as well as the transition of becoming a family. It is our hope that God will be glorified by these endeavors to care for orphans, both locally and around the world (James 1:27).
JOIN KEZIAH’S FAMILY
Not every family at LVBC is able to adopt, but every family is able to help.
Prayer – please remember the families already listed, as well as the many families currently considering adoption, and the thousands of children hoping for a forever home.
Financial – if you would like to financially support the families of Keziah’s Hope, please follow the links above to donate, or mark your offering envelopes with the names of the family to whom you wish to support. Donations may be made online, in the offering, or mailed to Lebanon Valley Bible Church at 1482 Horseshoe Pike Lebanon, PA 17042. All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of donations goes to the adoption fund.
Encouragement – In addition to prayer and financial support prospective adoptive families need encouragement along the long journey of adoption. This may be in the form of child-care, meals, mentoring, supplies, or emotional support. If you are interested in assisting these families, please contact Pastor Aaron Goshert at pastoraaron@lvbiblechurch.org