New Year's Babies

Ray Crowder received a call from a young mother late in December.  She had given birth to a baby girl in October.  The baby had been in the hospital from the time she was born.  Now the hospital was saying the baby was fine and it was time to take her home, and she just didn't feel that she could handle a new baby along with the two children she already had.  She wanted to place this baby for adoption and asked that we bring the adoption paperwork with us.    She was very emotional and under a lot of stress.  It was felt that she needed some time to think about her decision and receive some counseling.  Temporary foster care was offered to her in the meantime, so on Christmas Eve she placed the baby in temporary foster care with Ray and Michelle Crowder.  (We're going to miss Ray and Michelle and the double duty they were always willing to provide this agency.)  After Christmas, with some time for counseling and reflecting on her decision,  she let the agency know that she was sure.  She signed paperwork and picked an adopting family.  On January 8th, Ashley was placed with her forever family.

      Ashley, placed 1/8/03        Zachary, placed 1/12/03
     Tell 'em you were              Love the look, Zach     
            a beautiful baby                                                           

As the adoption ceremony was taking place, another birth mother was in the hospital giving birth.  This adoption like all of our adoptions was different - no two are ever the same.  Because the baby and the birth mother had to spend a few extra days in the hospital, the adopting family got to know her and her family quite well.  In fact they went to church together on Sunday.  The birth mother's congregation had been very supportive of her and her adoption plan.  On that Sunday the congregation prayed for the birth mother, baby and adopting family.  The new parents were overwhelmed by the love and caring that was shown to them as well as the birth mother. 

In the space of 4 days two adoptive placements were made.  Ray Crowder and Chris Dillard were driving from one end of the state to the other, but it was worth it.  What a wonderful way to start the New Year!
 
We ask that you always remember our birth mothers in your prayers.  They are making very difficult decisions that will impact them and their babies for the rest of their lives.  Pray for the families on our waiting list.  Sometimes it is just hard to wait on God's timing when you want so much to complete your family.  Pray also for our caseworkers that they will rely on God to guide them as they counsel with both birth parents and adoptive families.

Director's Corner

My life has been rich with blessings such as my parents, my wife, children and those I have come in contact while doing the Lord's work. Christian Family Services has and will always be considered one of my greatest blessings in this life. I will never forget the first call from Rogers Bartley asking me to consider a position at CFS. There will always be my first adoptive placement remembering little Dakota looking up at me as I placed her into her new parents arms. I will always smile at the calls to a couple encouraging them to buy a baseball and bat or a new doll because they had become parents. How can I forget the 3:00 A.M. calls from desperate mothers seeking answers to their unplanned pregnancies? or the joy of seeing some of those mothers finding comfort in the open hearts of their chosen adopting family.

In March of this year I was offered and accepted the position of Executive Director at Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services in Valparaiso, IN.  I will be directing a staff of 23 Christians in caring for as many as 54 troubled teens in a residential treatment program.

I will forever hold the ministry at Christian Family Services in my heart. There will always be the deep friendships, memories and laughs with Chris Dillard, Regina Collins and others connected to the ministry.  Thank you all for your love and support of this ministry for the lives that God creates.

-Ray Crowder

Director Makes Important Most Admired List

Dakota was the first child Ray help place for adoption after coming to work for CFS.  A few years later CFS placed a baby brother with her family, at which time she became an adoption expert.  She told friends that the way you get a baby is that you call  "Uncle Ray" and he finds a baby for your family, then you go to Florida where you have a party with cake and ice cream, and then you go to Disney World.  Recently Dakota was chosen to be star of the week at her school.  She had to fill out a form about her favorite food, book, etc.  It also asked for the person she most admired.  She wrote "Ray Crowder."  The teacher asked her who that was and she replied, "He finds families for babies."  Ray now joins the the ranks of other "star" students' most admired people, Michael Jordan, Colin Powell, Spiderman and President Bush.

From the President

The CFS Board of Directors thanks Ray Crowder for his eight years of dedicated service as the Executive Director of CFS.  Ray faithfully served CFS during his tenure and was always willing to do whatever was needed to meet the needs of people we serve.  We will miss Ray and pray for his continued service to God in his new job as Executive Director of Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services in Valparaiso, Indiana.  

The Board believes strongly in the ministry and the future of CFS.  The Board is committed to working  hard for CFS.  We are currently searching for the right person to lead this ministry. 

The Board has developed a strategic plan that will help guide CFS in reaching those in need.  Two of our goals are:  (1) expand the number of Board members with Christians that believe in CFS's mission and have a heart for those in distress and (2) develop and publish a web site with information that will reach many more people.

Let us continue CFS's mission: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27, NIV). We solicit your prayers as we embark on a new chapter in CFS's history. 

We thank each of you for your support over the years and look to many great things being accomplished for God and the children in the years ahead.

-Jesse Wilson, President
CFS Board of Directors

What's New

Urgent Need CFS has an urgent need for additional foster parents in Florida.  Most of our babies are not in Foster care for a long period of time, but it is important that we have at least 3 or 4 foster homes.  If you think you would like to help in this ministry, please call 1-800-226-2367 as soon as possible for more information.

Investing in Lives Campaign  This year's campaign will be held during the fall.  If your church isn't involved and you would like for them to be, let us know and we will give you more information about how the campaign works.

Attention Albertson's Shoppers  If you shop at Albertson's, you can help CFS at no extra cost to you.  Albertson's has given CFS Community Partners cards to distribute.  When you shop at Albertsons, you present the card to the cashier as you check out and she scans the card at any time during your order.  Albertson's refunds a portion of your purchase back to CFS each quarter.  The cards are good everywhere in the United States except the Dallas - Fort Worth area.  If you would like to have a card  write to us, e-mail us,  or give the office a call at 800-226-2367  CFS requesting one and we will send it out to you.

Honoring Those Who Lead the Way

Memorial and Honor gifts are a wonderful way to honor people who have touched your life.  What better way to show sympathy than to give a gift that looks to the future in the lives of the children who are touched by Christian Family Services, Inc.  Honor someone on their birthday, anniversary, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas or just because theyre special by giving a gift that allows Christian Family Services to continue providing help and hope to hurting families. 

Honor and Memorial Donations--January to April 2003

Memorial Donations

In Memory of Rogers Bartley, Sr.

Rick and Karen Hobler

In Memory of Betty Crenshaw

Richard and Martha Whitehead

In Memory of Richard Darby

Calvin and Dorothy Meyer
Don and Joyce Price

In Memory of Nancy Horton

Dave and Chris Dillard
Irv and Dee Simmons
Richard and Martha Whitehead

In Memory of Catherine McCall

Dave and Chris Dillard
Irv & Dee Simmons
Richard and Martha Whitehead

In Memory of Louis Pennisi

Rowland and Bobbie Brownlee
Terence Cake
Dave and Chris Dillard
M. L. and Molly Gordy
Don and Diane Hall
Lester and Harriet May
J. C. and Judy McMullen
John and Betty Neller
The Family of Louis Pennisi
Don and Joyce Price
Irv and Dee Simmons
The Taylor Family
Thomas and Margaret Tomlinson
Helen Usher
Mack and Kathryn Williams
Tad Williams
Jesse and Marie Wilson

In Memory of Marie Wharton

Dave and Chris Dillard
Irv and Dee Simmons
Richard and Martha Whitehead

Honor Donations

In Honor of The Crowder Family

Irv and Dee Simmons

In Honor of The Vest Children

Glyn and Demetra Hollis

We Lost a Dear Friend: Louis Pennisi

CFS lost a dear friend and generous supporter April 7, 2003.  Louis Pennisi of Gainesville was born January 14, 1897 in Mascali, Sicily.  He came to this country when he was 16 years old.  He lived for 106 years but his legacy will live on for much longer.  He was a kind and gentle man who loved everyone he ever met, particularly the children and they loved him in return.  He delighted generations of customers at Louis' Lunch with his hamburgers made from "a special family recipe."  He faithfully served the Lord and was a model of dedication and loyal service to God.  When asked on the occasion of his 102nd birthday, "What do you think is God's purpose for giving you 102 years and still counting?" he replied, "To encourage and do good for others." That is exactly what he did.  He will be missed and his passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him.

E-Mail Addresses. You may reach Christian Family Services by e-mail at the following address: 

cedcfs@aol.com