Sound of Hope: A new movie about foster care

1996. A small church in the small town of Possum Trot, Texas.

It was unusual for the first lady of Bennet Chapel, Donna Martin, to even think about going to a foster care information meeting in a distant town, but as Donna was praying, she sensed God’s direction to open her home to children in foster care. After attending the meeting, Donna and her husband, Reverend Martin, became foster parents and inspired 22 Bennet Chapel families to adopt 75 of the hardest to place children.  

My husband and I were foster parents in California back then. This wasn’t a time when James 1:27 and caring for kids in foster care was a familiar sermon topic. I remember being told one of my foster daughters couldn’t be in my Bible Study’s childcare program.  It was only for my real children! The film, Sound of Hope, The Story of Possum Trot tells a story of what can happen when the church steps forward to meet the needs of vulnerable children and the families that care for those children.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER

Several things I appreciated about Sound of Hope-

• First Lady Donna fervently prays, seeking God’s direction as she grieves her mother’s death. When God points her in the direction of serving children in foster care, she pushes through several obstacles and follow’s God’s direction.
•  The film is raw and honest about portraying severe child abuse and the challenges of children who experience significant childhood trauma. The film is also raw and honest about portraying the struggles, successes, mistakes, miracles, failures and faithfulness of caring Christian foster parents.
• The thing I appreciated most was watching the church stick together in support of children and families involved in fostering and adopting. Bennet Chapel members prayed harder, dropped off meals, provided respite and encouraged the foster and adoptive families. The church turned toward the challenges, pushed through incredibly difficult situations and faithfully cared for the most vulnerable children.

Today, there are over 4,000 children in Colorado foster care. Almost 400 are waiting for an adoptive family. Just like in Possum Trot, there are also not enough foster or adoptive families available to care for these children, especially older children and teens, sibling sets and children who have experienced significant trauma. There is a need for churches like Bennet Chapel to step forward and care for these children.

What can you do today?

• Organize friends in your church to see Sound of Hope, the Story of Possum Trot this summer. Purchase tickets HERE to also support the ministry of Project 1.27’s friends, Colorado Kids Belong.
• Host a discussion at your church after a Sunday service or during the week. Encourage people to see the movie before that discussion time. Project 1.27 would be happy to be part of that conversation, sharing some details about child welfare in Colorado today and how members of your congregation can care for children and families right in your backyard. CLICK HERE to learn more

By Shelly Radic, Executive Director