Here at The Forgotten Initiative, we get to support incredible volunteer leaders called TFI Advocates who are leading local foster care ministries across the nation.
Joining me for today’s episode is one of our TFI Advocates, Tess Dykstra. Tess has been an Advocate for Cobb County, GA since November 2021, and she is an incredible leader! In addition to her role as a TFI Advocate, Tess is a foster parent, mom to two boys (one through adoption), and works remotely in logistics and supply chain operations.
Tess is going to give us a look behind the curtain of what it means to be a TFI Advocate. She shares more about what a TFI Advocate does, what skills they might need, and her own story of getting involved.
Too many in the foster care community feel forgotten. They feel unloved and even uncared for. It’s our passion to change that reality. Coming up in May, we are opening up the applications for YOU to become a TFI Advocate. We only accept applications twice a year, so I want to invite you to consider if this role might be for you!
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. We are all in this together.
In the world of foster care, it can be easy to feel like there is an “us vs. them” mentality. But the reality is that there are so many great organizations in the foster care community that are advocating for the forgotten and fulfilling a variety of needs. TFI is not the only organization out there, but if you align with our vision and mission and God has pricked your heart to take action, we hope you’ll consider partnering with us!
“It’s definitely stretched me in a lot of ways, but it has been so encouraging.”
2. God has uniquely equipped people for this work.
Each person has been given different gifts, talents, and skills. This is why the Bible says, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). We all have unique abilities God has given us and it’s important that we ask ourselves what skills we have been given and how God may be calling us to use those to support the foster care community.
“Trust God that He is going to send someone to fill in the gaps that you don’t have. But then also celebrate the areas He has given talents and gifts to push a ministry forward.”
3. How are you being filled up?
We know this is hard work. It takes persistence, grace, and an awareness of the eternal value your work has. But most importantly, we need other people around us to support, encourage, and fill us up. We cannot do this alone and we cannot fill others up if we are empty ourselves!
“My needs being met allows me to do more in my ministry because I feel like I’ve been filled up and I feel like I’m connecting with someone else that understands, gets it, and is one step in front of me.”
Today’s episode is sponsored by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians paying one another’s medical bills. It’s not insurance and there are no networks, which puts you in charge of your health care. It’s Biblical, affordable, and you can join anytime of the year.
Meet Our Guest
Tess Dykstra is a foster parent, mom to two boys (one through adoption), and works remotely in logistics and supply chain operations. She has been a TFI Advocate since November 2021 and focuses on building church awareness, education, and agency appreciation. Tess lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, Alex, and their two sons. They enjoy sports and spending time together outdoors.
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