Carmi | Illinois Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services celebrates its centennial in 2018, with an emphasis on the faithfulness of Illinois Baptists—100 years ago and now—to support vital ministries to children and families.
The biggest event this centennial year is BCHFS’ annual fall festival in Carmi, said development and communications director Ken Steward. The festival is planned for Sept. 15.
“The ministry of Baptist Children’s Home was really born out of the faith, sacrifice, and vision of Illinois Baptists,” Steward said, recounting how 20 families risked losing their farms and livelihoods to fund the purchase of 40 acres of land to house an orphanage.
That facility, built after World War I and an influenza outbreak had left many children in need, was the start of a ministry that has expanded to care for young mothers, adoption and foster care services, and a network of counseling centers across the state.
For more information about BCHFS and updates on its centennial year, go to BCHFS.com.