Our Stories

When the Every Child | Every Church initiative was first introduced at last year's Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, it marked a defining moment in Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina's (BCH) commitment to churches. The vision is simple yet profound: to help churches say "yes" to the vulnerable people in their communities and even within their own congregations. "Every Child | Every Church is about helping churches be equipped to step i

Preparing for a family vacation is as much of an adventure for Phillip and Sara Carlisle as the getaway itself. With five adopted children—ages ranging from one to seven—caring for everyone’s needs during their recent weekend trip to Williamsburg, VA required no less than two double seated strollers, a wagon, three cribs, and scores of luggage all tightly packed into their SUV. (They have since upgraded to a roomier transit conversion van.) Extended family came along to help

“From the very beginning of our adoption journey, we have seen God’s hand woven throughout each of our children’s stories. He has faithfully opened and closed doors, carried us through trials, and used this process to refine our hearts and draw us closer to Him. Through it all, God has been shaping us into better parents and reminding us of the beauty of being chosen, just as we ourselves have been adopted into His family through Christ. Looking at our sweet boy, we can clear

Written by Jay Boyd, Chief Advancement Officer Bryan and I were riding in the back of my grandfather's pickup truck in late November. Thanksgiving on the Florida Panhandle had already been full—bonfires, s'mores, oysters on saltines, and outdoor adventures on the farm. We were somewhere between catfishing and dove hunting as the truck bumped across a cut peanut field, our legs dangling off the tailgate, shotguns across our laps. Everything had been going great. Bryan had been

Charity & Children Editor Jim Edminson concluded his Baptist Children's Homes career December 31. In June 2000, he and his family moved to the Tar Heel State from Louisiana where he served as communications director at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe. BCH founder John Haynes Mills was the first editor, launching the publication July 7, 1887. The longest-tenured editor, Archibald Johnson, followed Mills serving as editor for 40 years from 1895 until 1935. Edmin

Written by David Melber, Chief Executive Officer I have always been fascinated by people who willingly pursue and accomplish incredibly hard things—individuals who embrace difficulty rather than avoid it. As you read this, think back to the New Year's resolutions you may have made just weeks ago. Many of them probably felt urgent and life-shaping when you wrote them down. Yet today, several may no longer hold a place in your daily routine. Why is that? What separates noble in

Written by Jim Edminson, Charity & Children Editor Noah was waiting on Ali and Will to arrive. Their nearly three-hour drive was taking forever. Only days old, Noah had spent the time acclimating to his new, big world—bright lights, unmuffled noises, and waking in the middle of the night for diaper changes. His arrival was incident-free. His birth mom had cared for him well. He was healthy and already loved. He sensed her bravery in making the difficult decision to place him

Written by Rachel Reed, Cottage Parent, Broyhill Home Ding, dong. The cottage doorbell rings as eight children scurry around inside. "Mrs. Rachel, someone is at the door!" Who could it be? It's you! Welcome to our cottage. As you enter, you may hear lots of little feet moving, you may smell cookies baking, or you may very likely hear me say, "Don't forget to put that away when you're done." From this single instruction, you may sense my greatest desire as a cottage parent. It

Written by Carol Layton, Director of Communications, NCBAM Nothing good ever came from a tsunami. So why is it acceptable to refer to 73 million baby boomers as a "silver tsunami"—as if they are a looming catastrophe? This phrase is just one example of how language about aging subtly influences one's perception of older adults. With the mission of providing "help for the journey" to individuals 65+, North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) is deeply aware of the cultural

Written by Jody Yopp, Senior Director of Advancement and Planned Giving Planning for the future is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give to the people and causes we care about. For supporters of Baptist Children's Homes (BCH) , estate planning is not only a way to protect their own assets, it is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that changes the lives of children and families for generations. A clear, well-crafted Will and properly designated beneficiary account

At the Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina on November 11, 2025, David Melber, CEO of Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH), delivered an inspiring entity report to messengers gathered at the Koury Convention Center. His message centered on gratitude for NC Baptist churches and a bold new vision to expand ministry impact through an initiative called Every Child | Every Church.   Melber, who will finish his first year as the 140-year-old

Written By Kristyn Butts, BCH Director of Volunteer Engagement The memories came rushing back as Robin Bailey stepped onto the campus of Kennedy Home (KH) with her son Sammy. Decades had passed since she last walked those familiar paths—the very place she once called home.   Robin and Sammy were there to take part in the Friends of Children event, a one-day mission blitz where more than 200 volunteers gathered to serve across campus. Their assignment brought them to the girls

Written By David Melber, Chief Executive Officer The Bible says in Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."   We are in a remarkable season in the life of Baptist Children's Homes (BCH); a season filled with renewal, vision, and purpose. God is stirring hearts and bringing fresh excitement as we join with churches across this state

Written By Blake Ragsdale, Vice President of Communications Messengers and ministry partners found Baptist Children's Homes' (BCH) display booths set up at their familiar location for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. When they arrived at the booths, however, they discovered something different—a revamped look with new messaging.   BCH unveiled a redesigned booth introducing its Every Child | Every Church ini

Written By Jim Edminson, Charity and Children Editor The day I decided to follow Jesus is a day I will never forget. Some look for that one thing, a purpose, a direction, all their lives and never discover it, elusive like an early morning mist. But for me it took only a moment: I would follow Him. I knew when I was 16 years old that I would become a nomad and go wherever He led. It could be described as a journey, but I prefer to describe my path as many journeys, each endin

Little fingers curl around the sheep, scooting them closer to the manger where baby Jesus lays. The Nativity beneath the tree in Tabitha's cottage fascinates the five-year-old. Two to three times a day, she can be found rearranging the figurines: the baby, the mom and dad, a donkey and sheep, and the shepherds. She is in awe of the story.   Christmas is only days away. The cottage is abuzz. Her cottage father vacuums the living room carpet. Noticing something different about

THOMASVILLE, N.C. —Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH) has named Jay Boyd as its new chief advancement officer following a national search that drew more than 200 candidates. Boyd most recently served as senior vice president of strategy and engagement at Connie Maxwell Children's Ministries in Greenwood, South Carolina—one of the state's most recognized child and family service ministries. In that role, he led advancement, marketing, and engagement strategies.

The monastery, nestled in a mountain forest, is located at the small village of Armenteira. Camino pilgrims make their way there via a winding, often arduous, trek along the “Variante Espiritual.” The trail near the end of the day’s journey proved particularly difficult, primarily because Kathy and I walked it with damaged feet and discouraged spirits. The first seven miles of the day’s walk, as usual, passed in awe of our surroundings. As we approached the last three miles o

Attendees who have long come to the annual Hope in Style event would notice only modest changes throughout the years. The heart of the benefit is always seeing boys and girls who are in the care of Baptist Children's Homes (BCH) shop for new back-to-school clothing, which they wear as part of the program. The amount of time and effort staff and volunteers invest in making sure the subsequent year is better than the last largely goes unseen. This is exactly what the team prefe

In eastern North Carolina, nine miles north of the historic town of Edenton, Rocky Hock Baptist Church sits amongst fields and farms not far from the Chowan River. Organized in 1835, the group of believers has been faithful to the Gospel, and like many rural churches has served faithfully meeting the needs of people. It is from this deep rooted place that a deep love for the children and families served at Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) comes. “I remember hearing about the ch