Clanton-based ministry connects families with Ukrainian orphans

Clanton-based ministry connects families with Ukrainian orphans

By Grace Thornton
The Alabama Baptist

People say all the time that one missions trip can change your life — and Kenneth Garner said he’s proof of that.

“I went on my first trip to Ukraine with Bridges of Faith in 2013 and the Lord really touched my heart,” said Garner, who was pastor of Holtville Riverside Baptist Church, Wetumpka, at the time. “I fell in love with the Ukrainian children.”

Not only that — he got to know his future wife, Rachel, on that trip and the two began to chase that vision of ministry together. They got married in 2014 and in the years that followed they became more and more involved with Bridges of Faith, an Alabama-based organization that ministers to Ukrainian orphans. They went on trips to visit orphanages. They hosted orphans in their home in the summers and at Christmas through the organization’s homestay program.

Then in 2017, Garner left his pastorate to become the full-time director of operations for Bridges of Faith.

He said being involved with the ministry is like being “the tip of the spear.”

“You’re going into places where children ordinarily don’t hear the message of the gospel and with that comes an anointing and a special presence of the Lord,” Garner said. “I would love for everyone to have the opportunity to experience it.”

That’s why he leads missions trips now for Bridges of Faith and encourages everyone to consider hosting Ukrainian orphans in their homes.

“You get to build a relationship with them and watch them go from being cold and distant to warm and showing love,” Garner said. “It’s a blessing to watch their hearts opening up to love and to the gospel.”

Nancy Hendrix, hosting coordinator for Bridges of Faith, said Alabama families can get involved by going on trips to do ministry and humanitarian aid, hosting children in their homes or volunteering at the ministry’s BridgeStone camp, located seven miles west of I-65 in Clanton. The camp hosts children several times a year for several weeks at a time.

‘At risk’ children

“We bring school-age children to Alabama — anywhere from age 6 to 16,” Hendrix said. “These are the children who are at risk.”

Without intervention statistically once they leave the orphanage 10 percent of those children will commit suicide and 20 percent will end up in prison, she said. Some will join the Russian mafia. Six in 10 girls will be trafficked.

“They feel hopeless,” Hendrix said. “Only 10 percent of those who leave the orphanage will live a productive life.”

God loves each one

Tom Benz, founder of Bridges of Faith, said he started the organization with the desire to help Ukrainian orphans find their identity in Jesus — to know that God loves each one of them more than they could ever imagine.

“They’re not bad kids, but they do have wrong information about life,” Benz said, noting that they have never seen what a healthy family looks like. “One of the things we are trying to do is give them better information.”

And if they can find families while they are in Alabama, that’s wonderful too, he said.

“Legally we can’t bring them here for the purpose of adoption, but about 60 to 75 percent of the children who come here for the hosting program do find forever families because people see the children and God lays that on their hearts,” Benz said. “It’s kind of phenomenal. When people see the children, hear them giggle and see them smile, it becomes personal. God is blessing this ministry.”

Another way Alabamians can interact with the kids and see their lives transformed is to volunteer to help at BridgeStone.

“We welcome work teams,” Benz said.

That includes people who can do construction from painting to light remodeling to helping build a new gym, he said. The needs at BridgeStone also include yard work, laundry and serving as a house parent.

“And we would love for people to come do activities with the kids — softball, volleyball … art class. Some people have even brought horses in the past for the kids to ride,” Benz said. “We would love anything that would help to build relational equity so that we are able to share Jesus.”

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“I have hosted kids through Bridges of Faith since August 2014. I also serve with them in ministry — I am responsible for planning activities and finding host families for the kids to stay with overnight in Huntsville. This allows them to experience a loving Christian family of a mom and dad. We take the kids to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the indoor trampoline park and to Kohl’s for learning, fun and shopping for personal needs. When it’s warm, we go swimming. My sister ultimately adopted a young man brought to the U.S. through Bridges of Faith.

I’ve planned and executed many events over the years but setting up the hosting program is always one of the most fulfilling. It’s easy to set up, but the impact is so great for me, our volunteers and the kids. Without fail, there is always a child that I gravitate toward in each group that allows for greater conversation and interaction. It’s nice to see them open up when they realize you care and just want to spend time with them.

I look forward to hosting and setting up their excursions for years to come.”

David Pinkleton
Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force
Member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville