Course Description

As foster parents, we open our homes and hearts to children from diverse backgrounds—including different faiths, traditions, or even no faith at all. This class helps Christian foster parents navigate the sacred balance between authentically living out their personal faith and honoring the beliefs of the children entrusted to their care.

You’ll explore how to share hope, model love, and nurture spiritual safety without coercion or confusion—creating an environment where every child feels respected, valued, and free to explore faith at their own pace.

Core Objectives:

Participants will learn to:

1. Understand Faith Boundaries — Know what’s appropriate when it comes to prayer, worship, and spiritual conversations with foster children.

2. Model, Don’t Mandate — Live out a visible, healthy faith that demonstrates love, peace, and trust in God without requiring participation.

3. Honor the Child’s Family and Faith — Acknowledge and respect the religious background and wishes of the child’s birth family and case plan.

4. Foster Spiritual Safety — Recognize that spiritual care is part of holistic care, but must always protect the child’s freedom and dignity.

5. Build Bridges, Not Barriers — Use faith-based community activities (like family meals, youth events, or church outings) to build hope and connection without pressure.

6. Communicate Wisely — Know what to say (and not say) when a child asks faith questions, expresses confusion, or wants to participate in religious practices.

CEU Certificate: 1 Hour

Course Instructors

Ted Stackpole Facilitator

Chaplain Ted Stackpole serves the foster and adoption community with deep compassion and commitment, drawing from years of experience as a spiritual leader and advocate for vulnerable children and families. He is an ordained minister and an endorsed chaplain with the Assemblies of God, offering guidance, hope, and pastoral care to those navigating the complexities of foster care and adoption. A devoted father of eleven, Ted enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and hopes to one day fulfill his dream of exploring the rugged beauty of Alaska.

Alan Bixler Trainer

Dr. Alan Bixler holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership from Regent University and serves as the Executive Director of COMPACT Family Services and the AG Foster Care Network. He has been married to his wonderful wife, Heather, for 31 years. Together they have two adult children, Sierra and Hunter, both married, and are proud grandparents of two beautiful grandchildren with another on the way. Alan is passionate about strengthening families, leading with vision, and, in his spare time, enjoys hunting and making memories with those he loves most.