05/08/2026
There are moments when you can feel that God is building something bigger than any one person or organization. Wednesday felt like one of those moments.
It has been a few days since Wednesday’s 5th Annual All In Foster Care Summit, and our Village team is still processing what God did that day and what He seems to be doing across West Virginia. There were countless stories from the day, and so many ways we saw His orchestration in the details, connections, new relationships, and the hope that emerged.
More than 200 people gathered at Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown, and it felt like more than just another event. We walked away with a stronger sense that God is doing something special here in West Virginia to care for our most vulnerable children and families.
Our Summit theme this year was "Building the Way Together," inspired by the story of Nehemiah. Just like the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt through organized action, families working together, and people willing to stay the course, we were reminded that lasting change for children and families happens the same way. Not through isolated effort, but through people building side by side.
Throughout the day, we talked about what it means to move beyond awareness and into action.
We talked about building foster-friendly communities where foster, adoptive, and kinship families are well supported to stay in the fight longer.
We talked about how churches can step into clear, practical roles rather than staying at the level of good intentions.
We talked about stronger collaboration between churches, child welfare agencies, nonprofits, and businesses so that families are surrounded by real, lasting support.
We talked about foster alumni and young adults and how churches and communities can come alongside them, and how their voices matter so much as we chart our path forward.
And we talked about the truth that no one builds this alone.
Through it all, one thing kept becoming clearer: God is driving something special in the Mountain State.
Not because of one event.
Not because of one organization.
But because He is bringing people together and reminding us that everyone can do something, and that we are better together.
We are so grateful to Chestnut Ridge Church for hosting this year’s Summit and serving so well.
And to every speaker, volunteer, church, agency, foster family, foster alumni, caregiver, and partner who showed up, thank you.
This was not a finish line. It was just the next of many steps toward making West Virginia the best place to be a child in the nation.
We are grateful to be building it together, and West Virginia, through every single one of you, is only getting started.
