A Conference for Encouraging & Equipping Foster and Adoptive Families
This Is For You
You were never meant to do this alone.
Foster care and adoption are some of the most beautiful — and most exhausting — callings God places on a family. You pour yourselves out for vulnerable children day after day, often without ever pausing to be poured into yourselves.
Thrive! exists to change that. For two days, we’re setting aside time to encourage, equip, and walk alongside you — with gospel-centered worship, practical training, and the steady reminder that this work matters, and you are not alone in it.
What to Expect
Two days. Real rest and renewal.
A weekend designed around the rhythms that strengthen foster and adoptive families for the long road ahead.
Keynote Sessions
Andrew and Anna Hopper will lead our keynote teaching, anchoring our time together in Scripture and the gospel.
Breakout Tracks
Practical, ministry-tested breakouts designed for the real challenges and joys foster and adoptive families face.
Worship Together
A Friday evening worship gathering to lift our eyes and remember Whose work we get to share in.
Panel Discussion
A Saturday panel discussion to close our time together with conversation, connection, and shared next steps.
Keynote Speakers
Voices who have walked this road.
We’re honored to welcome Andrew and Anna Hopper to lead our time together in Scripture, story, and shared experience.
Friday Keynote & Saturday Main Session
Andrew & Anna Hopper
Andrew is the founding and lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC, which launched in 2012 with 30 people and has grown to over 3,000 across multiple campuses. Mercy Hill is centered on the gospel with a radical commitment to the nations — and a deep, gospel-driven heart for adoption and foster care.
Andrew and his wife Anna have been married more than 17 years and have four children, including an adopted child with special needs. Their family’s story shapes their conviction that the local church is uniquely called to walk alongside vulnerable children and the families who care for them. We can’t wait for you to hear from them.
The Schedule
What the weekend holds.
Here’s the shape of our two days together.
Day One
Friday, August 28
- 5:00 PM Doors Open
- 6:00 PM Breakout Session 1
- 7:15 PM Worship & Welcome
- 7:45 PM Keynote
- 8:45 PM Wrap Up
Day Two
Saturday, August 29
- 7:30 AM Doors Open & Breakfast
- 8:15 AM Breakout Session 2
- 9:25 AM Breakout Session 3
- 10:35 AM Worship
- 10:45 AM Keynote
- 11:35 AM Panel Discussion
- 12:20 PM Grab & Go Lunch
Breakout Sessions
Choose what speaks to your family.
Practical, gospel-centered sessions led by people who understand the journey. Here’s what we have in store.
Resurrecting Relationships: Getting Off the Hamster Wheel
Erica Spivey
Stuck in cycles of blocked care and blocked trust? Discover how Christ’s resurrection power renews weary hearts and relationships.
Rooted & Resilient: Biblical Soul Care
Lorie Brinkley
You can’t pour from an empty cup. A Biblical approach to rest, resilience, and staying rooted in Christ.
Is My Family Okay? Guiding Bio Kids Through Fostering and Adoption
Tera Melber
Fostering and adoption shape the whole family. Practical, Gospel-centered help for shepherding your bio kids through the journey.
Sensory Awareness & Play
Miranda Shuping, BS, COTA/L · 5 Stone Therapy
An overview of the sensory systems, with evidence-based interventions and activities tailored to each one — plus adaptive equipment and strategies designed to support children’s development and help them successfully meet their individual needs.
Battling the Invisible Enemy
Pam & Trent Taylor
Technology and/or pornography is a persuasive issue facing children and teens today. This session is designed for adults with teens or teens. This session will offer real discussion regarding technology addiction and some practical solutions for families.
The Blessings and Opportunities of Families That Don’t Match
Nancy Osborne · Selina Murrell · Amelia & Jeremy Brady · Randa McCaughley · Isaac Melber
Caring for children from different cultural backgrounds brings real questions — navigating belonging, honoring identity, meeting practical needs, and responding to outside perceptions. Through honest panel conversation and shared experiences, gain insight into integrating culture in authentic ways, building supportive relationships, and growing in confidence and humility.
Registration
Save your seat at Thrive!
Registration is now open!
General Admission
$29
Per person.
Foster & Adoptive Families
Free
Free for foster and adoptive families licensed or served through Baptist Children’s Homes or Christian Adoption Services. Contact your BCH or CAS case worker for your registration code.
Plan Your Trip
Where to stay & what to know.
A few details to help you plan ahead.
Host Venue
Mercy Hill Church
1317 Pleasant Ridge Rd.
Greensboro, NC 27409
Hotel Partners
-
Greensboro–High Point Marriott Airport
9-min drive from Mercy Hill · Special group rate available
Book the Marriott -
Fairfield Inn Greensboro Airport
8-min drive from Mercy Hill
Good to Know
- Open to licensed foster families, adoptive families, and those who support them.
- Childcare will not be provided at this event.
- Dietary and ADA accommodation needs are collected at registration.
Frequently Asked
Questions & answers.
A few of the most common questions.
Who is Thrive! for? +
Thrive! is for licensed foster families, adoptive families, kinship caregivers, prospective foster and adoptive parents, church staff who walk with these families, and BCH ministry partners.
When does registration close? +
Registration is open now and closes Thursday, August 27 at 11:59 PM. Space is limited by venue capacity, so we encourage you to register early.
How much does it cost to attend? +
Registration is $29 per person. Foster and adoptive families licensed or served through Baptist Children’s Homes or Christian Adoption Services attend for free — contact your BCH or CAS case worker for your registration code.
Will childcare be provided? +
Childcare will not be provided at Thrive!. We encourage families to plan ahead — and we know that itself is one of the harder parts of this calling.
What about dietary or accessibility needs? +
You’ll be able to share any dietary restrictions, allergies, or ADA accommodation needs during registration so our team can plan with you in mind.
Who can I contact with other questions? +
Foster and adoptive families served through BCH or Christian Adoption Services should contact their case worker — that is also how you get your free registration code. For anything else, call 1-800-476-3669 or email hello@bchfamily.org.