OPINION: Thank you for speaking up for Sunrise

By TODD GRAY, KBC government director-treasurer

It’s been stated you don’t know what number of pals you have till you really want them. True pals step up after they see their pal going by way of a difficult time.

Sunrise Children’s Services has confronted a difficult time not too long ago as their efforts to resume their contract as a foster care supplier have been blocked by the state. Sunrise seems to be dealing with discrimination from the state as a result of their deeply assist Christian convictions.

Sunrise Children’s Services has ministered to needy, uncared for, and abused kids in Kentucky, from a James 1:27 motivation, for over 150 years. From the time the women at Walnut Street Baptist Church obtained a burden for orphan care, by way of the times they ministered beneath the identify of Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, up till at the moment, they’ve lovingly served kids by sacrificing for them within the identify of Jesus.

Today, they’re instructed to both give up their spiritual convictions or give up their ministry to kids. Sunrise will do neither.

The nice information is that Kentuckians far and vast are standing with them. Friends of Sunrise are speaking up on behalf of the state’s largest non-public supplier of residential childcare companies. Here are among the loudest voices:

1. Kentucky’s Constitutional Office holders: On May 17, 5 of Kentucky’s constitutional officers despatched a letter to Governor Beshear and Cabinet Secretary Friedlander urging them to resume the contract with dawn. The letter said in clear phrases that the actions by the state to stroll away from Sunrise runs opposite to the curiosity of kids and opposite to state and federal legislation.
2. Kentucky’s Senate Majority Caucus: The whole group of Senate Republicans spoke up for Sunrise. They known as Sunrise Children’s Services a perennial associate for many years and stated no state ought to give up on a associate like Sunrise.
3. Kentucky’s House Majority Caucus: The super-majority used their voice for Sunrise. They requested the state to proceed within the partnership and never threat the care offered to tons of Kentucky’s kids. Kentucky wants extra companions like Sunrise, not fewer.
4. Friends of Sunrise: In current days, Sunrise Children’s Services and their President, Dale Suttles, have obtained assist from The Family Foundation of Kentucky, The Commonwealth Policy Center of Kentucky, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of The Southern Baptist Convention, Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler, and quite a few others. These leaders of faith-based organizations know all too effectively that if a governing administration can bully a bunch like Sunrise and attempt to power them out of their deeply held spiritual beliefs, they’ll do the identical for different Christian teams and organizations.
5. Kentucky Baptists: Everywhere I’m going, Kentucky Baptists are enjoying the video produced by the KBC Mission Board Staff urging Kentucky Baptists to name or e mail Governor Beshear, urging him to resume the contract with Sunrise. If the anecdotal proof I hear nearly each day means something, then we are able to relaxation assured that the telephone in Frankfort, in addition to the e-mail server, is being bombarded with correspondence on behalf of Sunrise. Kentucky Baptists love Sunrise and wish to be assured they’ll minister to kids unhindered.

Where will we go from right here?

First, hold praying for Sunrise. The neatest thing we are able to do for them is to method the throne of grace on their behalf.

Second, proceed to present to assist their ministry. Part of the working finances from Sunrise Children’s Services comes from the Cooperative Program giving of Kentucky Baptists and beneficiant donors throughout the state.

Third, proceed to precise vocal assist on their behalf. Thank your elected officers for standing with them or urge them to take action.

For the third 12 months in a row, Kentucky leads the nation within the variety of reported youngster abuse circumstances. This isn’t the time for Gov. Andy Beshear and Secretary Friedlander of the Cabinet for Family and Health Services to stroll away from Sunrise.

This is the time for them to discover a technique to renew the contract.

Todd Gray is the manager director-treasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.