Across the United States
We believe that every child deserves the stability of a Christ-centered home—one that provides them with faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these being love.
This belief is more than just words. In just the last 60 days of 2024, Chaplain Ted had the opportunity to lead over 100 foster parents into a commitment with Christ. And because of the generosity of their financial partners, they have had over 12,000 opportunities to increase the stability of children in foster care across 800 cities in the United States.
Foster care is a mission field—one that requires sacrificial love, faith, and courage. And few exemplify this better than Jennifer and Jeffrey Bernhard.
A Life Laid Down: The Story of Jennifer Bernhard
The Bernhards have been faithful members of Brighton Assembly of God for over 12 years.
Jennifer led a girls’ Bible study.
Jeffrey served as a church deacon.
They saw foster care as their mission field, a way to bring the love of Jesus to vulnerable children.
And then, tragedy struck.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – A Night of Horror
On New Year’s Day, at 8:30 p.m., three armed intruders forced their way into the Bernhards’ home in Northfield Township, Michigan. Among them was the biological mother of the 4-year-old foster child in their care.
The attack was brutal.
• Jennifer Bernhard, 48, and her father, Stevie Ray Smith, 74, were fatally shot.
• Jeffrey, 52, was shot twice—once in the chest and once in the face—but miraculously survived.
• The 4-year-old foster child and the Bernhards’ 9-year-old biological daughter were abducted.
Jennifer’s last act was one of ultimate sacrifice, laying down her life to protect her family.
Thursday, January 2, 2025 – The Children Rescued
By the next morning, law enforcement had found both children alive and safe.
One was found in a home; the other was located with two of the suspects in a vehicle.
Friday, January 3, 2025 – A Chilling Courtroom Moment
As the suspects faced charges, the biological mother of the foster child, Shuvonne Vinson, made a shocking statement in court:
“They deserved to die.”
The evil behind this tragedy was undeniable.
Friday, January 10, 2025 – Remembering Jennifer
The community came together to grieve and honor Jennifer.
Her close friend, Katherine Meyer, described her this way:
“She loved others so well because her love was a reflection of who Jesus is.”
Jennifer was a woman of faith, kindness, and sacrifice.
Her final Facebook post was about kindness—how her family had been blessed by others and how she encouraged people to care for those in need.
She truly lived out John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The Foster Care Mission Field
Jennifer and Jeffrey understood their mission field.
They were not overseas missionaries, like the Santiagos, who moved across the ocean to plant a church in Alicante, Spain.
They were not training families, like the Stackpoles, bringing the gospel to the foster and adoption communities across the U.S.
But they were missionaries nonetheless.
Acts 1:8 reminds us:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
For the Bernhards, their Jerusalem was foster care.
They knew the cost.
They knew the risks.
And they were willing to lay down their lives for the mission.
Jennifer’s story is heartbreaking. But in tragedy, we must ask:
Who needs Jesus in this story?
• The foster child who has only known instability and trauma since birth?
• The biological mother, lost in anger and evil?
• The neighbor across the street, watching the Bernhards’ love in action?
The answer is all of them.
Because love shines the brightest in the darkest places.
Matthew 5:16 reminds us:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jennifer’s light shined even in her final moments.
The Challenge for Us All
The Bernhard family’s story is a challenge to us all.
• To love sacrificially.
• To serve courageously.
• To be the hands and feet of Jesus in the broken places of the world.
Because foster care is one of the most broken mission fields in our country.
The children who enter foster care have been:
• Neglected
• Abused
• Traumatized
They need:
• Safety
• Stability
• The love of Christ
But let me be clear—this is not an easy calling.
Foster parents:
• Step into the messiest situations.
• Love children who may never stay.
• Build bridges with biological families who may be hostile or broken.
• Take risks.
The Bernhards took that risk.
They laid down their lives—just as Christ laid down His life for us.
Romans 12:1:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
As you read this, I want to ask you:
Where is your mission field?
Maybe it’s not foster care.
Maybe it’s:
• Your workplace
• Your school
• Your own family
But for some of you, maybe God is calling you into foster care and adoption.
It’s not easy.
But it’s worth it.
And for others, maybe you can’t bring children into your home—but you can support those who do.
“Every effort, every prayer, and every financial gift helps us move closer to the day when every child experiences the love of Jesus.”
Jennifer’s Story Will Not Be Forgotten
Jennifer Bernhard is a martyr of our faith.
Her story will continue to be told.
Because her life—and her sacrifice—point us back to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And as long as there are children in need, as long as there are families willing to answer the call—we will not stop sharing the gospel in the foster and adoption community.
Because this mission field is worth it.
And every child deserves to know: faith, hope, and love—the greatest of these being love.
