You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget here on Moody Radio 89.3.

You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget here on Moody Radio 89.3.

Nothing like being on location or with people to really understand what they're experiencing and what they're going through. I know, for example, I had an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Romania, and we visited an orphanage there and just got to see the kids in their environment and realize just how how important it is to be in families, because nothing can replace that, even though they have loving people watching over them, nothing could replace the fact that they were missing their their families. And it's just it's just a reminder that as the body of Christ, there's still work for us to do to help the orphan.

Nothing like being on location or with people to really understand what they're experiencing and what they're going through. I know, for example, I had an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Romania, and we visited an orphanage there and just got to see the kids in their environment and realize just how how important it is to be in families, because nothing can replace that, even though they have loving people watching over them, nothing could replace the fact that they were missing their their families. And it's just it's just a reminder that as the body of Christ, there's still work for us to do to help the orphan.

Yeah. You were able to go experience that and get a better understanding of the situation. Why it is important for that ministry ministries like that to be, um, encouraged and supported And that is why I think the event that's coming up here in just a few days really is so important. We're not having to travel to a place like Romania or for myself, a place like, um, uh, where did I go? Dominican Republic just a few years back, I went to Dominican Republic, also went out to Navajo Nation and places like that. We we we are not having to travel for this one. Actually, they're coming to us to encourage us. And we can be a part of an event that is going to really help us better understand the situation.

Yeah. You were able to go experience that and get a better understanding of the situation. Why it is important for that ministry ministries like that to be, um, encouraged and supported And that is why I think the event that's coming up here in just a few days really is so important. We're not having to travel to a place like Romania or for myself, a place like, um, uh, where did I go? Dominican Republic just a few years back, I went to Dominican Republic, also went out to Navajo Nation and places like that. We we we are not having to travel for this one. Actually, they're coming to us to encourage us. And we can be a part of an event that is going to really help us better understand the situation.

It's happening this Sunday. It's called the No More Orphan Experience. And Tammy Kent is joining us. And Tammy, that's what I imagine you hope this event is like. We'll be able to come and really experience not only what it's like or what the orphanage is happening to them, but what we can do about it.

It's happening this Sunday. It's called the No More Orphan Experience. And Tammy Kent is joining us. And Tammy, that's what I imagine you hope this event is like. We'll be able to come and really experience not only what it's like or what the orphanage is happening to them, but what we can do about it.

Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. Um, when we first created this event, it was with that desire to connect people first and foremost to the heartbeat of God and His heart, for the orphan, for those without families, but then also to connect people to the heart of the need to hear personal stories, to really connect, to take these big numbers that we hear about orphans locally, even children in foster care that are temporarily in need of safe and loving homes as they transition through this season, but then give direct and immediate opportunities to respond. Because we know that there are so many people who want to do something. They just don't know what that looks like. And many times people equate the word orphan with adoption and they're like, well, I don't have the room. I don't I don't have the time. I'm too old, I'm too young. I'm not sure you know how or what this looks like. And we really want to break open that box and help people see that there's something that everyone can do to care for orphan and at risk children in the foster care system here in our state and in our community.

Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. Um, when we first created this event, it was with that desire to connect people first and foremost to the heartbeat of God and His heart, for the orphan, for those without families, but then also to connect people to the heart of the need to hear personal stories, to really connect, to take these big numbers that we hear about orphans locally, even children in foster care that are temporarily in need of safe and loving homes as they transition through this season, but then give direct and immediate opportunities to respond. Because we know that there are so many people who want to do something. They just don't know what that looks like. And many times people equate the word orphan with adoption and they're like, well, I don't have the room. I don't I don't have the time. I'm too old, I'm too young. I'm not sure you know how or what this looks like. And we really want to break open that box and help people see that there's something that everyone can do to care for orphan and at risk children in the foster care system here in our state and in our community.

This event, the No More Orphans Experience seems like as I look and read more about it, something unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. It seems very different. Is that true?

This event, the No More Orphans Experience seems like as I look and read more about it, something unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. It seems very different. Is that true?

It is, it is, and it was created with that purpose in mind. I often give the example, you know, if I if I brought you up to where I am and took you to the local amusement park and, you know, you hopped on the roller coaster with me, you would feel it very different. You know, I could say to you, hey, we're going to go here and we're going to do this, and it's going to have like seven loops and twists and turns. You're going to go upside down and you'd be like, okay. But when you get on it and you feel the emotion, when you're able to put a face and a name and a story with an issue, it creates a tie that's very unique. And and we don't just deliver the message in a traditional way. You know, we have an artist, we have a spoken word poet. We have, you know, really all these unique components, local Testimonies. There's worship we book in the event with worship because we want people to be again connected to the heart, but then really to kind of open up all these pockets of ourselves to really see and experience, you know, what God would have for us.

It is, it is, and it was created with that purpose in mind. I often give the example, you know, if I if I brought you up to where I am and took you to the local amusement park and, you know, you hopped on the roller coaster with me, you would feel it very different. You know, I could say to you, hey, we're going to go here and we're going to do this, and it's going to have like seven loops and twists and turns. You're going to go upside down and you'd be like, okay. But when you get on it and you feel the emotion, when you're able to put a face and a name and a story with an issue, it creates a tie that's very unique. And and we don't just deliver the message in a traditional way. You know, we have an artist, we have a spoken word poet. We have, you know, really all these unique components, local Testimonies. There's worship we book in the event with worship because we want people to be again connected to the heart, but then really to kind of open up all these pockets of ourselves to really see and experience, you know, what God would have for us.

We're talking with.

We're talking with.

All of.

All of.

This in all of this. Absolutely. We're talking with Tammy Kent, who's the co-founder and executive director of the No More Foundation. This is a ministry, really organization that you and your husband started that's bringing this event this Sunday to our community. So tell us about the foundation. What was on your heart and your husband's heart to start something like this?

This in all of this. Absolutely. We're talking with Tammy Kent, who's the co-founder and executive director of the No More Foundation. This is a ministry, really organization that you and your husband started that's bringing this event this Sunday to our community. So tell us about the foundation. What was on your heart and your husband's heart to start something like this?

Well, first and foremost, it's personal for us. So much of of what we do is a part not only of my husband's personal story, but of our lives. You know, when we launched No More, you know, almost 15 years ago, our heart and passion was really to connect the church, to care for the most vulnerable in our communities, to be a bridge because I, you know, having served in ministry, you know, and leadership roles. You know, we had seen this disconnect. You know, most people who are believers and followers of Christ, honestly, just people in general have have a heart to serve. You know, when we're when we're little, we have this dream, you know, to what do we want to be? You know, we want to be doctors and and teachers and policemen. We want to protect and and care for people around us. And but most people somehow in in the growing up, we we lose sight of what that might look like. And just really helping people to see, you know, what is the need. You know, where can I serve? How can I make an impact and sometimes even why are these issues existing in my community really helping connect those dots? But then making it simple so that people can have a tangible next right step. Because a lot of times you can be moved, you know, emotionally you can be moved by a story, but then what do you do with that? So really having all those partners and that's where you mentioned four kids of South Florida. They're an incredible partner of ours for over a decade. And, you know, really giving people those next right steps looks like connecting them to partners that are in their community that can help them take that passion, transform it into an action that will impact the community.

Well, first and foremost, it's personal for us. So much of of what we do is a part not only of my husband's personal story, but of our lives. You know, when we launched No More, you know, almost 15 years ago, our heart and passion was really to connect the church, to care for the most vulnerable in our communities, to be a bridge because I, you know, having served in ministry, you know, and leadership roles. You know, we had seen this disconnect. You know, most people who are believers and followers of Christ, honestly, just people in general have have a heart to serve. You know, when we're when we're little, we have this dream, you know, to what do we want to be? You know, we want to be doctors and and teachers and policemen. We want to protect and and care for people around us. And but most people somehow in in the growing up, we we lose sight of what that might look like. And just really helping people to see, you know, what is the need. You know, where can I serve? How can I make an impact and sometimes even why are these issues existing in my community really helping connect those dots? But then making it simple so that people can have a tangible next right step. Because a lot of times you can be moved, you know, emotionally you can be moved by a story, but then what do you do with that? So really having all those partners and that's where you mentioned four kids of South Florida. They're an incredible partner of ours for over a decade. And, you know, really giving people those next right steps looks like connecting them to partners that are in their community that can help them take that passion, transform it into an action that will impact the community.

This next question could be a little dangerous because sometimes asking it, it can look too large and I can't really be of an assistance. But what is the the overall scope of the issue that we're talking about and then bring it back down to then what can I do?

This next question could be a little dangerous because sometimes asking it, it can look too large and I can't really be of an assistance. But what is the the overall scope of the issue that we're talking about and then bring it back down to then what can I do?

Well, I'll give you an example. You know, we just did an event this past weekend up in north central Florida. And, you know, as we were sharing the statistics, you know, we start with this number state. You know, you can start with the the global number, which is 143 million orphans. That's the number we look at. Sometimes people use a larger number, but it rounds out That's a large number, right? Then you bring it, you know, bring it closer. Let's talk about kids in the foster care system here in the country. And that number is around 400,000, which again is still a very large number. Bring it down to Florida. We're right about 15,000, maybe closer to 16,000 children in the system of care for the state of Florida. And but then when you really nail it down and you start coming closer and closer. This past weekend, I shared with a group at a church. There were 47 children in their local community that needed safe and loving homes. 47 is a number. And the pastor actually got up and he said, we have 138 churches in this county. Our churches could more than triple the number of homes if just one church, one family from every church said, stepped up and said, I'll provide a safe and loving home. So we really want to take these giant numbers and really make them practical and help people see that it's possible for the church to solve this crisis. If we would just step in and open our homes and our hearts, but we also just even speaking to that, we don't just give the options of you can foster or adopt, you can advocate for a child. You can stand as a voice in the justice system, as a guardian ad litem. You can work with organizations like Better Together or Safe Families, who are wrapping around broken families that need help to prevent children from ever entering that system of care. You know, you can wrap around families again, like with that are fostering my husband and I and our children. We were foster. We were a foster family for years, and I would often joke and say when a child would be placed in our home at 1130 at night, you know that friend who would show up at 8 a.m. the next morning with a grande, you know, latte with two Splenda, no foam and no room ready to be an angel from God at my doorstep was was so beneficial. And so it can be as simple as taking a meal to a family who said we will open our home? And by doing that you are sharing the love of Jesus. You are being the hands and feet and you are caring for these families and children in need.

Well, I'll give you an example. You know, we just did an event this past weekend up in north central Florida. And, you know, as we were sharing the statistics, you know, we start with this number state. You know, you can start with the the global number, which is 143 million orphans. That's the number we look at. Sometimes people use a larger number, but it rounds out That's a large number, right? Then you bring it, you know, bring it closer. Let's talk about kids in the foster care system here in the country. And that number is around 400,000, which again is still a very large number. Bring it down to Florida. We're right about 15,000, maybe closer to 16,000 children in the system of care for the state of Florida. And but then when you really nail it down and you start coming closer and closer. This past weekend, I shared with a group at a church. There were 47 children in their local community that needed safe and loving homes. 47 is a number. And the pastor actually got up and he said, we have 138 churches in this county. Our churches could more than triple the number of homes if just one church, one family from every church said, stepped up and said, I'll provide a safe and loving home. So we really want to take these giant numbers and really make them practical and help people see that it's possible for the church to solve this crisis. If we would just step in and open our homes and our hearts, but we also just even speaking to that, we don't just give the options of you can foster or adopt, you can advocate for a child. You can stand as a voice in the justice system, as a guardian ad litem. You can work with organizations like Better Together or Safe Families, who are wrapping around broken families that need help to prevent children from ever entering that system of care. You know, you can wrap around families again, like with that are fostering my husband and I and our children. We were foster. We were a foster family for years, and I would often joke and say when a child would be placed in our home at 1130 at night, you know that friend who would show up at 8 a.m. the next morning with a grande, you know, latte with two Splenda, no foam and no room ready to be an angel from God at my doorstep was was so beneficial. And so it can be as simple as taking a meal to a family who said we will open our home? And by doing that you are sharing the love of Jesus. You are being the hands and feet and you are caring for these families and children in need.

Yeah. We're being. James 127 Christians, right? Visiting the orphan and the widow in their affliction. And you mentioned some of the organizations and ministries that you'll be highlighting, including for kids. How did you get connected with for Kids of South Florida?

Yeah. We're being. James 127 Christians, right? Visiting the orphan and the widow in their affliction. And you mentioned some of the organizations and ministries that you'll be highlighting, including for kids. How did you get connected with for Kids of South Florida?

Honestly, it was organic, you know, really looking for organizations and partners, you know, that were in this work that we're doing this work with a with a heart with a heartbeat very similar, you know, to collaborate with collaboration is a buzzword, but collaboration of alignment of heart and spirit. You know, you go farther, faster and together. And, you know, it's just been amazing to see. And we actually bring this event to communities not just across the state of Florida, but around the country. And it's amazing to see the organizations that are doing good work that we're able to just come alongside and and to support and to lift up and to connect to the local church, because sometimes churches don't even know who's in their community. Like, you got an amazing organization down in South Florida, Open Heart for orphans that's doing work. And, you know, we've been able to connect to organizations like that through for kids. And so it's those they're our partners become those connectors as well. And when we gather around the table, it's like we're we're all in this together. You know, we're all coming at this together because not one of us can take can take on all the need, can meet all the needs. But together we can do so much more. And so, you know, it's just been incredible working, like I said, with four kids because they're helping us to to connect to the churches, but then coming in to a church like coastal community that's doing so much amazing work and already has a heartbeat. It's just incredible.

Honestly, it was organic, you know, really looking for organizations and partners, you know, that were in this work that we're doing this work with a with a heart with a heartbeat very similar, you know, to collaborate with collaboration is a buzzword, but collaboration of alignment of heart and spirit. You know, you go farther, faster and together. And, you know, it's just been amazing to see. And we actually bring this event to communities not just across the state of Florida, but around the country. And it's amazing to see the organizations that are doing good work that we're able to just come alongside and and to support and to lift up and to connect to the local church, because sometimes churches don't even know who's in their community. Like, you got an amazing organization down in South Florida, Open Heart for orphans that's doing work. And, you know, we've been able to connect to organizations like that through for kids. And so it's those they're our partners become those connectors as well. And when we gather around the table, it's like we're we're all in this together. You know, we're all coming at this together because not one of us can take can take on all the need, can meet all the needs. But together we can do so much more. And so, you know, it's just been incredible working, like I said, with four kids because they're helping us to to connect to the churches, but then coming in to a church like coastal community that's doing so much amazing work and already has a heartbeat. It's just incredible.

Yeah. Coastal Community in Lighthouse Point will be the location for the event this Sunday, and many times this type of event can be a little tricky to deal with, but you've kept this family friendly so that families can be a part of this, correct?

Yeah. Coastal Community in Lighthouse Point will be the location for the event this Sunday, and many times this type of event can be a little tricky to deal with, but you've kept this family friendly so that families can be a part of this, correct?

Yes, absolutely. It's a free event. It's family friendly. We're able to bring this event to communities through our partnership with All Pro Dad and the Department of Children and Families. They're making it possible. Um, but we invite everyone and anyone to come. We have beautiful stories. You know, we have child care for ages 0 to 4. Uh, there are, you know, there's obviously a limited number of spots, but we are going to have child care available this weekend for that. And, um, but it's neat to see because children five and up can participate. It's not a, it's not a boring event. It's not a talking head Had event, but we have incredible stories of five year olds, seven year olds who have sat in this event and walked away and said to their parents, so when are we doing this? And the mom and dad are like, well, and, you know, and the child says, but it's what God's called us to do. And now families have expanded and opened their homes, and children have found a safe and loving, you know, forever homes because their siblings, you know, were the ones to step up and say, God's called us to do this. And so it's just beautiful to see that it impacts people of every age. And even in saying that, you know, we really encourage people, you know, who are in all the different phases of life. You know, I've had, you know, older, sweet, precious couples that are retired and that have come and and participated. And we had an event years ago, and I had a gentleman who, through tears in his eyes, You know, said I can be someone's grandpa. And I thought, you know, it's it's so important because we forget that broken families and families that are struggling, these children, they don't always have those relationships in their lives that that are dependable, that they've experienced. And so to have, you know, that grandparent, you know, figure to step in in that moment, you know, to serve and to love and also, goodness be a you know, grandparents are fierce advocates, you know, for kids. I mean, some of the best Guardian litems out there are are the ones who've lived the most life and are so passionate about championing and being a voice for these kids. So there really is something for everyone to find their place in in this story that God is writing. You know, some there's something for everyone to do. And so we just really would encourage everyone and anyone to come out, just come out to learn, come out to see how you can serve in the local community. This may be the day that God speaks to your heart, but it might be the day that he speaks to you and you become a voice that you take this to your your business, that you take this to. You know, your church or your you know, your, your pickleball club and say, hey, did you hear about this stat? Did you know that this is a need? I just learned this. I can help people connect. And so it's just a great way to do that.

Yes, absolutely. It's a free event. It's family friendly. We're able to bring this event to communities through our partnership with All Pro Dad and the Department of Children and Families. They're making it possible. Um, but we invite everyone and anyone to come. We have beautiful stories. You know, we have child care for ages 0 to 4. Uh, there are, you know, there's obviously a limited number of spots, but we are going to have child care available this weekend for that. And, um, but it's neat to see because children five and up can participate. It's not a, it's not a boring event. It's not a talking head Had event, but we have incredible stories of five year olds, seven year olds who have sat in this event and walked away and said to their parents, so when are we doing this? And the mom and dad are like, well, and, you know, and the child says, but it's what God's called us to do. And now families have expanded and opened their homes, and children have found a safe and loving, you know, forever homes because their siblings, you know, were the ones to step up and say, God's called us to do this. And so it's just beautiful to see that it impacts people of every age. And even in saying that, you know, we really encourage people, you know, who are in all the different phases of life. You know, I've had, you know, older, sweet, precious couples that are retired and that have come and and participated. And we had an event years ago, and I had a gentleman who, through tears in his eyes, You know, said I can be someone's grandpa. And I thought, you know, it's it's so important because we forget that broken families and families that are struggling, these children, they don't always have those relationships in their lives that that are dependable, that they've experienced. And so to have, you know, that grandparent, you know, figure to step in in that moment, you know, to serve and to love and also, goodness be a you know, grandparents are fierce advocates, you know, for kids. I mean, some of the best Guardian litems out there are are the ones who've lived the most life and are so passionate about championing and being a voice for these kids. So there really is something for everyone to find their place in in this story that God is writing. You know, some there's something for everyone to do. And so we just really would encourage everyone and anyone to come out, just come out to learn, come out to see how you can serve in the local community. This may be the day that God speaks to your heart, but it might be the day that he speaks to you and you become a voice that you take this to your your business, that you take this to. You know, your church or your you know, your, your pickleball club and say, hey, did you hear about this stat? Did you know that this is a need? I just learned this. I can help people connect. And so it's just a great way to do that.

The No More Orphans experience is happening at Coastal Community Church in Lighthouse Point this Sunday evening, 5:00 PM to 7:00 pm. Free for the whole family as well. And we've got more information on our community calendar. Just head to Moody radio.org/florida for this April 6th event.

The No More Orphans experience is happening at Coastal Community Church in Lighthouse Point this Sunday evening, 5:00 PM to 7:00 pm. Free for the whole family as well. And we've got more information on our community calendar. Just head to Moody radio.org/florida for this April 6th event.

Yeah, it is free, but they do want you to register so they can control what's happening there. And that's good news for us because we can be a part of this and really learn and be, um, really find a way to write our name in that story for someone else who is in need. And we can be a part of that.

Yeah, it is free, but they do want you to register so they can control what's happening there. And that's good news for us because we can be a part of this and really learn and be, um, really find a way to write our name in that story for someone else who is in need. And we can be a part of that.