Immanuel House

07/21/2026

Today I witnessed a young lady in our care break down in desperation at her situation. All I could do was begin to pray. In that moment I prayed that the Holy Spirit would fill the place and bring a sense of calm to a hard, heartbreaking situation for this young lady. God never intended for children to have to carry such heavy burdens. He never intended for children to be displaced, unloved, abused and neglected. Sin destroys families and children are often the ones left carrying the consequence of their parents decisions. It is heartbreaking to hear a child weep for just the normal things we take for granted. May the Lord continue to use this ministry each and every day to make a difference in the lives of each child that comes through our doors. Oh how we need to pray for children in foster care that have yet to find placement or having to go from placement to placement. They need Godly men and women to step up and say "Here I am Lord, use me". These children need adults to be there for them to teach them the ways of the Lord and show them there is HOPE in JESUS!

07/11/2026

07/11/2026

Special Thanks to Teri Brown at East Tennessee Arts Center for donating art backpacks filled with art supplies for our kiddos at Immanuel House. What a blessing to have a special way to engage kiddos to express themselves!

07/03/2026

“The Church is called to minister to orphans and widows, not the foster care ministry.”

That’s what someone said.

And maybe it feels easier that way. Easier to draw the line. Keep our hands clean. Stay far enough away to avoid the pain but close enough to feel righteous.

But tell that to the child moved eight times because no one could handle her trauma.
Tell that to the teen who packed their things in a trash bag for the fifth time and aged out without a family.
Tell that to the foster parents sitting in the driveway, crying, because they don’t know how to hold all the heartbreak and still show up tomorrow.
Tell that to the couple who nearly lost their marriage because loving kids from hard places exposes every crack you thought you had hidden.

You say we’re not called to foster care. But James 1:27 says we are called to care for orphans and widows in their distress.
Not from a distance. Not from a pulpit. Not once it’s all cleaned up and easy.
In their distress.

And whether you like the label or not… many kids in foster care are orphans.
Some are legal orphans. Parents’ rights terminated. No one coming.
And others may not be, not yet. But they live like orphans.
No safety. No permanence. No one to fight for them.
They cry alone. Move alone. Heal alone.

If that doesn’t break our hearts… something’s wrong.

This system is broken. But that’s not a reason for the Church to walk away.
That’s the reason we have to stay. Because if the Church won’t show up here, who will?

You cannot claim to love orphans and avoid the system that holds them.
You cannot preach the gospel and skip the suffering.
You cannot say “God help us” and ignore the way He sends help… through us.

Jesus did not avoid the mess. He walked straight into it.
He sat with the outcast. He touched the untouchable. He stepped into every broken system, every hurting heart, and called it holy ground.

And if we’re really following Him… then we better be willing to go there too.

This isn’t clean.
It isn’t safe.
It’s costly.
It’s heartbreaking.
It’s the kind of love that can leave you empty and undone and desperate for God to refill you again.

And it is exactly where Jesus would be.

So no. Foster care is not just some manmade system to critique from the sidelines.
It is where the gospel can be lived louder than anywhere else.
And it is where the Church must be.

Because if we won’t, who will?

06/17/2026

The Lord has given us a vision of a farm to be able to serve more children. First steps is to "Fund the Budget". We are looking for unique fundraisers and ideas. Do you have a awesome fundraiser idea to help us reach our goal? Share it with us! [email protected]

Become a financial partner today and let's see God multiply our faithfulness to give. He has called us to this ministry and we trust that He will provide through the giving of His people. There are so many ways to get involved in foster care!

06/17/2026

Special Thanks to Mike Napierkowski and Ken Hupp for coming to load and haul items to the dump for us today. What a blessing!

06/11/2026

Foster parents give so much every single day — and they shouldn’t have to do it alone. 💙

The Foster Friendly® App was created to help support foster families with practical resources, discounts, and community connections right at their fingertips. From exclusive offers from local businesses to tools designed to encourage and support families on the journey, this app is one small way communities can help lighten the load and remind foster parents they are seen, valued, and supported.

When we support foster families well, children experience greater stability, connection, and belonging.

📲 Download the Foster Friendly® App today and explore resources available for foster families across Tennessee.

05/27/2026

Today we were blessed by Sharon Davis and her ministry Wrapped in Faith from First Baptist Strawberry Plains. These ladies handmade the most beautiful quilts for us to give to children at Immanuel House. Such beauty, prayer and precision went into each one. What a blessing!