The Matters of Adoption

Dear Crownies,

Adoption is a powerful testament to dignity, redemption, and the healing power of love. It’s a journey where past brokenness meets new beginnings, and families are formed not by blood, but by grace and unwavering commitment. In adoption, we see the beauty of rewritten stories—where love steps in and says, “You belong.”

So, what exactly is adoption? According to Merriam-Webster, one definition is “the act or process of giving official acceptance or approval to something.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the act of legally taking a child to be taken care of as your own.” But my favorite definition comes from the King James Version (KJV) Dictionary:

“To take a stranger into one’s family, as son and heir; to take one who is not a child and treat him as one, giving him a title to the privileges and rights of a child.”

That definition resonates deeply because it reflects the very heart of God.

Ephesians 1:5 tells us, “Before the foundation of the world… He predestined us for adoption.” When we accept Jesus, we’re not just believers—we’re family. We become God’s children, heirs alongside Christ. That truth is life-changing. It means we are chosen, loved, and given a place to belong. How incredible is that?

Yet, the reality of adoption in the world today is heartbreaking. According to Home for Every Child (homeforeverychild.org), there are more than 147 million orphans worldwide. Even more staggering? While 34% of Christians consider adoption, only 1% actually follow through. Those numbers stopped me in my tracks.

In 2004, my parents chose to trust God and take a leap of faith in adopting me. If they had relied solely on their emotions or the opinions of others, my life could have turned out very differently. But because they followed His calling, I am where I am today. They boarded a plane to Ukraine and adopted me. I was one of the fortunate ones—I didn’t become a statistic. Instead, I found a forever family. But millions of children are still waiting, hoping for someone to choose them.

Saying ‘yes’ to adoption is saying ‘yes’ to changing a life—both theirs and yours.

God’s heart beats for adoption, and when we open our hearts to it, we reflect His love in the most beautiful way. Adoption isn’t just a legal process—it’s an act of love, a reflection of God’s heart, and a call to action. Because when we open our hearts and homes, we don’t just change a child’s life—we change the world, one family at a time.

For His Glory,

Oksana Nicole