3 Reasons I Love Being a TFI Advocate Coach

1) I get a front row seat to a person’s full yes to the Lord’s call.

We have Advocates at every level of connection to the foster care world. Some have been passionate about caring for the most vulnerable since they were kids and currently have three placements in their home while teaching foster parent courses. Some simply have a friend who is a foster parent and realized that the Church needs to offer encouragement to those who have opened their homes. Some are just beginning to understand the complexities of the foster care system while others live and breathe it every single day. No matter their past experience, each Advocate has said yes to the Lord’s call to serve the foster care community.  

There is nothing more inspiring than being around those who are living in full obedience to Christ. Whatever is taking place in a specific ministry area, we are able to come with a posture of prayer to ask what the Lord would like us to do to help the most vulnerable not feel forgotten.

It’s a gift to support people who desire to make God’s call a reality in their lives.   

2) I get to see the power of proximity.

The whole goal of The Forgotten Initiative is to connect churches to the needs of the local agencies. Advocates get to live out the powerful role of the one who connects. Often it feels like they are trudging through mire as they try to navigate obstacles and find someone who is willing to be their point of contact. But their faithful presence month after month reminds us of the truth that trust is built through time and consistency.

Only through the power of relationship can the needs of an agency ever be made known.

And it’s through relationship that a church can be ready to respond.  

The daunting ask of serving the foster care community really boils down to being present in one person’s loneliest moments:

• Through the power of proximity, one family was able to share a meal with a child who was waiting for a placement at DHR.
• A child who was just placed in care on Christmas Eve was able to find her name on a gift under the tree.
• A 10 year old did not have to spend her birthday alone.

As a coach I get to hear the stories of these incredible wins. The moments where the Church is living out the calling to reflect Jesus in the world.

3) I get to experience leaders grow in community.

Whenever we embark on a new journey of risk-taking faith, we can feel unsure and ill-equipped. As a coach, I get to call out what God has already started in them and remind them who they are in Christ. As their cheerleader, I can help them call to mind what has happened each month and rejoice in all that God has done as a result of their faithfulness. Together we can think through next steps based on the opportunities that are present in their unique communities. They are the ones who know each context, so they guide the conversation to discern the best ways to bring the awareness and encouragement each relationship is ready for.

Even more, I get to see our Advocates grow together as we have our regular community events, roundtables, prayer meetings, and more. Each year, we have the opportunity to gather together at Retreat. In these opportunities for connection, I see Advocates giving each other advice, sharing stories, encouraging one another, and praying for each other.

Ministry is so much more invigorating when we have someone to walk alongside through the ups and downs. The Advocates’ role is to support the agency and the church. Along with our community of Advocates, it’s an honor to be someone in their corner to remind them that they are not alone.

That’s the joy of doing ministry together.

Starting February 1, applications will open again to become a TFI Advocate in your community! Interested? Sign-up to be notified when applications go live.