Bridging Generations: Igniting the Power of Retired Christians with Orphan Care Ministry
CAFO Workshop by Bruce Bruinsma, Retirement Reformation
Imagine an untapped resource of epic proportions, ready to transform the impact of Teen Reach. Did you know 48 million Christ followers feel trapped in a cycle of hopelessness in their retirement years?
In many societies, grandparents are the linchpin in the community.
Not so in America.
Often our message in the church: we want your money and, oh, don’t be grumpy.
The problem:
More children and youth reside in the foster care system.
More foster parents are disengaging.
Active support will prolong engagement.
The orphan support community needs help!
The vision:
One foster family in the church.
Three-four grandparents. (couples/singles)
Wrap-around grandparent support.
Support for the foster family to help them stay in the game.
Community and purpose for seniors.
POWERFUL IMPACT to youth in foster care.
Retired Christians are the perfect support for foster parents . . . AND VOLUNTEERS FOR T.R.A.C. and T.R.A.C.life. They bring so many positive attributes our youth are desperate to receive:
Experience and wisdom
Moral support
Stable model
4. Giving, volunteering spirit
5. Spiritual guidance
Serving also benefits the retired individual by giving:
A sense of community.
Meaning and purpose as they represent Jesus to the world.
The Bible says nothing about retiring. However, read John 15:5.
Apart from me, you can do nothing.
Now read this verse backward. If you do nothing, is there something missing?
Leisure gives us rest and rejuvenation . . . but not for 30 years.
We need grandparent figures at camp and they need camp.
Wrap around grandparents don’t just fill a space but SHAPE A FUTURE. Let’s reach out to this generation and invite them to be a part of T.R.A.C. and T.R.A.C.life.
*Information from Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation 2023 The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.
