Leaders from Across the Country

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” -Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT)

Once a year, leaders from “bridge ministries” across the country come together to share ideas about how to “bridge” the local church to the needs of foster care. The 1.27 National Network is a network of 16 bridge ministries with the mission of sharing ideas and encouragement. 

The annual Executive Retreat specifically brings together the Executive Directors to talk through vision and strategy and troubleshoot shared challenges. In late February ten executive directors attended the 3-night retreat in Scottsdale, AZ. There was a combination of work and fun where leaders could learn from each other. Attendees did small-group work, cheered on a spring-training baseball game, and hiked through cacti in a state park. Bridge ministry work is unique in that it involves working with families, local government, and local churches. Retreat attendees appreciate the shared mission when troubleshooting challenges, because everyone in the room is also bridging these unique groups to keep kids safe within the context of a family.

Project 1.27 started the network and takes the lead by providing staff and resources to make the network and resources like the retreat a reality. Through our leadership of this group, we are able to impact ministries, and therefore the families they serve, from coast to coast. Last year, the 1.27 National Network collectively served more than 10,000 children in foster and kinship care and 9,021 families while engaging nearly 1,500 churches in the work.

We are grateful that we are not alone in our approach of bridging the needs of children and families involved with child welfare to the local church. Offerings like the 1.27 National Network retreat allow us all to better serve our local communities.

​By Alexandra Kuykendall, 1.27 National Network Director