From Seeds to Salvation
Here at the Children’s Homes, our daily work looks a lot like planting seeds, tilling land, and tending to all which arises from the dust. Our hope is that, alongside the work of Christ himself, we are doing the good work to allow children the opportunity to be rooted in their Creator.
Roots take time to dig in and grow, so we take the small steps of showing up and planting seeds. Stephan Scott experienced this process in his own life.
Before coming into our care, Stephan grew up in an environment without the security and comfort every child longs for—the security of knowing basic things, like where his next meal would come from or that he was truly loved.
SAFE & SECURE
Stephan came to us when he was 11 years old, after living with relatives for a short time. When he came into our care, Stephan not only felt safe and loved by a welcoming family, he felt comfortable enough to eventually open his heart to the truth of God’s Word. It was the little joys he found within his new, loving home that brought him to that place, such as being asked what he’d like for dinner or being provided with a new pair of shoes he wanted. With no freedom or choices in these areas before, Stephan felt free—free to ask for what he wanted, free to just be a kid, and free to learn about Jesus.
“We can always find Christ in times of turmoil, but when you’re a child, learning about Christ in some situations requires seeing the love of Christ through others and having a secure environment where you can open your heart to those truths,” Stephan says.
THE BREAKFAST TABLE
One of Stephan’s favorite memories of his time with ABCH happened at the breakfast table alongside his foster parents and three siblings. “Sitting around a table was very foreign to me. For the first time, I felt secure enough to really listen to the words of scripture . . . We were working our way through the gospels, and the words of John really stuck out to me. About a year later at that very same table, my foster dad was walking us through what it means to follow Christ . . .”
Stephan accepted Christ on that day, and all he could think about was the moment he first heard those words of truth a year earlier, and how it all came full-circle. “It planted a seed in my soul and sprouted in salvation the following year,” he says.
HIS LIFE TODAY
Stephan, after completing six, successful years of school at Samford University and McWhorter School of Pharmacy, now serves as a pharmacist. Because of generous donors like you, we were able to support Stephan financially so he could earn this degree. Stephan is so grateful for the way God planted and watered seeds in his life that helped pave the way for his future, both in his career and for eternity.
“I was given a gift even beyond the financial generosity of the Children’s Homes. [God] gave me insight into his plan. That’s the only reason I’m a pharmacist. . . I expect that would have never happened had we not initially started with the gospel, then given my heart to Christ, and then opened my heart to his plan . . . . I wouldn’t be where I am today without the first steps,” Stephan says.
In his career and life, Stephan plans to do what God is calling him to do: love people intentionally every day, help take care of his sister who has special needs, and serve children who are walking the road he
once journeyed.
