Adoption agency celebrates anniversary

USA (MNN) — An evangelical organization responsible for place many orphans around the world into families is celebrating 60 years of service. Bethany Christian Services not only facilitates adoptions, but also helps with crisis pregnancy and other counseling, and humanitarian needs.

Roger Bouwma is the director of Bethany International. He says, “Over the years Bethany has been able to place about 25,000 children into adoptive families, and of that about 9,000 are international children. We work in 16 different countries, doing both international adoption work and social service work. So, God has opened many doors for Bethany in the past years.” Bethany has 75 offices in 35 states in the United States.

Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman adopted two children through Bethany and he’ll be helping Bethany celebrate during a special concert this week.

Bouwma says Bethany needs prayer for many areas. Adoptive families are always needed, but there’s also a need for people to help these families. “We’re looking for families who can not adopt a child, but can perhaps adopt a child financially and can help those families who are willing and able to adopt children with some of the financial needs that they have.”

It’s all done in an effort share the love of Christ with those in need.