One of the nation's largest Christian foster care and adoption agencies will no longer allow LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt children through its programs, clarifying a years-old policy and citing a renewed commitment to its religious beliefs.Bethany Christian Services announced the change in a Wednesday press release, saying future foster families must align with the organization's Statement of Faith and Belief."Clarity around our Christian identity is essential to our Christian witness and critical to the long-term health, sustainability, and impact of our mission," Keith Cureton, CEO of Bethany Christian Services, told Fox News Digital in a statement.MASSACHUSETTS FOSTER PARENTS STRIPPED OF LICENSE FOR REFUSING TO SIGN TRANSGENDER POLICY A father holds his newborn baby in his arms inside an apartment, showing affection.(iStock)"We believe this clarity strengthens our ministry, honors those we serve, and reinforces alignment with partners who share our faith convictions," Cureton added.Bethany Christian Services, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was founded in 1944, and is a faith-based non-for-profit that serves over 25 U.S.
states and is "dedicated to helping children and families thrive.""This work is about reinforcing the Christian foundation that has guided our organization for more than 80 years," a spokesperson for Bethany Christian Services told Fox News Digital in a statement Friday. "These actions flow from our conviction that faithfulness to God’s Word must remain central to our mission of demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus through quality social services.Beginning June 2027, Bethany will only license and re-license foster families whose Christian faith and beliefs align with our Statement of Faith and Belief.
We will communicate directly with families to help them understand expectations and next steps.Families who are not aligned with Bethany Christian Services Statement of Faith and Belief and Christian mission will be sup...