Fostering Faithful Families helping Missouri's orphans

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Finding permanent homes for Missouri's foster children might come down to a matter of faith in numbers. At least that's the theory behind a group of 45 St. Louis area Christian churches that have pledged to help find foster and adoptive families in their congregations.

Emily Nienhuis, lead organizer for the effort called Fostering Faithful Families, said it could change the lives of hundreds of foster kids.

America's Incredible Pizza Co. and CJM Racing are honoring Incredible Heroes throughout the 2009 Nationwide Series season. If you know of an Incredible Hero, let us know.

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"There are about 8,000 churches in Missouri, and so why are there still 1,400 kids waiting for adoption in Missouri if there's all these churches?" said Nienhuis, who is also director of the One Heart Family Ministries, a Christian group that promotes adoption of foster kids. "It should be preached in those churches that we are there to look out for the orphans who so need our help."

Fostering Faithful Families is based on the idea that church congregations can support foster and adoptive parents, providing everything from prayer circles and hand-me downs, to babysitting. Fostering Faithful Families takes no state or federal money and is the first faith-based movement in Missouri trying to create new foster and adoptive families.

For their dedication to helping others, Fostering Faithful Families will be honored as this week's "Incredible Hero" at Gateway International Raceway. Emily Nienhuis, lead organizer, will be present to accept the plaque and enjoy a day at the races.

The "Incredible Heroes" are extended an invite to attend the Nationwide Series race as guests of CJM Racing and the America's Incredible Pizza Company. Each hero receives a plaque in recognition of their heroism and they spend a VIP day at the race track.

The Incredible Heroes campaign will run throughout the 2009 Nationwide Series season. If you know of an "Incredible Hero" and would like to nominate him or her, please e-mail: heroes@incrediblepizza.com for consideration or check out www.incrediblepizza.com/contests/incredibleheroes.