In the summer of 2016, I received a stunning message that depicted the desperate journey — both figurative and physical — of three siblings who had just been brought into the compassionate care of Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH).
In the middle of the night, a nine-year-old boy quietly walked into the bedroom of his two little sisters and woke them. This big brother had grown tired of seeing his sisters go without eating. He could no longer stand to see them hurting because of the abuse that plagued their family home.
So the nine-year-old boy packed a small bag, took his three-year-old and five-year-old sisters by their hands and left underneath the shroud of the night sky. The boy didn’t know where he was going. All he knew was he had to get them far away from home — he had to save his sisters.
The following morning, a deputy spotted the three siblings walking along the highway. The boy, dressed appropriately in his Superman shirt, told the stunned officer, “Please take me and my sisters to foster care. We can’t live with our mom and stepdad anymore. They beat us and they starve us and my stepdad pulls my little sister’s hair out.”
Law enforcement officers knew exactly where to go and where to turn. Within a couple of hours, these three precious children were given the refuge and compassionate care they sought at Baptist Children’s Homes. This nine-year-old big brother succeeded in rescuing his little sisters. Mission accomplished.
It has been 33 1/2 years since I accepted the invitation to be President of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. After more than three decades, I am even more inspired by these courageous young people (if that’s possible) as well as BCH’s amazing friends.
Your generous support, your prayers, your gifts of time and talents are the reason why we can rescue children, bring hope to families, empower the dreams of developmentally disabled adults, and guide aging adults along their journeys.
So put on your cape! Come alongside us as we continue to fulfill the vision of sharing hope...changing lives in the name of Christ. Together we have accomplished much, but the mission continues.
Michael C. Blackwell
Baptist Children's Homes President/CEO
Baptist Children's Homes 2016 Outreach Totals
2016 Accomplishment Stories
Together we have accomplished much in this past year. We have opened new ministries across the state. We have completed a successful capital campaign to sustain BCH's future. We have rallied together to repair campuses that were devastated by the hurricane. Together, anything is possible!
Click below to read more about our accomplishments this year!
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