How the Church Can Transform Foster Care | Partners in Ministry with AJ Doyle & Pastor Adam Beecher
In this episode of Partners in Ministry, host Dan Smith sits down with AJ Doyle, Executive Director of Wildwood Collective, and Pastor Adam Beecher of New City Church in Ankeny, Iowa. Together, they explore how the local church can bridge the gap between faith and foster care by creating lasting support systems for vulnerable children and the families who care for them.
Learn about the trauma foster children face, the burnout experienced by foster parents, and the vital role the church plays in building wraparound communities that provide practical and spiritual support. With nearly 50% of foster families dropping out within the first year, this conversation brings hope and vision for long-term change.
Recorded on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Originally Broadcast on Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Topics Covered:
Why foster care is inherently traumatic
- The crisis of too few foster families
- The power of community through the church
- Creating sustainable care with wraparound support
- How your church can make a tangible difference
Wildwood Collective:
— Contact A.J.
— — by email: adoyle@wildwoodhillsranch.org
— — by phone: (641) 396-2414
— Learn More at: https://www.wildwoodcollectiveiowa.org
— Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildwoodCollectiveIowa/
— Trauma Informed Resources: https://www.wildwoodcollectiveiowa.org/trauma
— Church Mobilization Resources: https://www.wildwoodcollectiveiowa.org/churches
— Foster and Adoptive Family Support: https://wildwoodhillsranch.promiseserves.org/request-care-community?
— Donate NOW: https://bit.ly/JWQF_WHR
New City Church:
— Contact Pastor Beecher
— — by email: adam@newcityankeny.com
— — by phone: (319) 939-1511
— Learn More at: https://newcityankeny.com
— Donate NOW: https://bit.ly/JWQF_NCCDonation
The Quakerdale Foundation:
— Learn More at: QuakerdaleFoundation.org
— Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/JWQF_Subscribe
— Send an Email: DSmith@Quakerdale-Foundation.org
— Connect by Phone: (641) 497-5294
— Donate NOW: QuakerdaleFoundation.org/Donate/
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/JWQF_SpotifyPodcast
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