January 15th, 2026
by Mark McAdow
by Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
When I was a single student at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, I remember having lunch with a friend and fellow “ground hog” — we lived with about two dozen guys on a campground on the edge of town, thus our beloved nickname. The conversation was about adoption. It seemed strange to be discussing adoption as single guys, but my friend Rory (he was Canadian) had a strong opinion about the topic. He believed every Christian couple should adopt a child first, before attempting to have one on their own. I had never thought or heard of that before. His premise was that many children need to be adopted, and what better place than a Christian home. It made some sense, but I’m sure I dismissed that thought soon after.
Fast forward to 1996 when Robin and I had one child, our miracle son Matthew, but hadn’t been able to have another. We learned about an Oklahoma doctor in Russia who discovered an orphanage that indicated they would consider adopting their children to Americans. Through a series of setbacks, multiple miraculous events and answers to prayer, Robin and I contacted him and adopted our Russian baby girl, Hannah Elizabeth, nine months later on Jan. 13, 1997. We had considered adoption earlier in our marriage before Matt’s arrival but found it to be cost prohibitive. Adoption became a part of our family history – something I’m sure we wouldn’t have considered except for our issues with infertility. It became a loving option for us and a great blessing – though a challenging one at times, too!
As I was praying for someone in our Willow View family this morning who is adopted, I realized once again what a wonderfully loving option it truly is for the child without parents and a place to call home. God our Heavenly Father has done that for each of us. Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” The only way we come to the Father is through adoption.
This is Sanctity of Life Month, and I’m so extremely glad the Lord gave me life and a family to belong to. I’ll be sharing more about that this Sunday. Look forward to worshipping our Lord together with you!
Love you,
Pastor Mark
When I was a single student at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, I remember having lunch with a friend and fellow “ground hog” — we lived with about two dozen guys on a campground on the edge of town, thus our beloved nickname. The conversation was about adoption. It seemed strange to be discussing adoption as single guys, but my friend Rory (he was Canadian) had a strong opinion about the topic. He believed every Christian couple should adopt a child first, before attempting to have one on their own. I had never thought or heard of that before. His premise was that many children need to be adopted, and what better place than a Christian home. It made some sense, but I’m sure I dismissed that thought soon after.
Fast forward to 1996 when Robin and I had one child, our miracle son Matthew, but hadn’t been able to have another. We learned about an Oklahoma doctor in Russia who discovered an orphanage that indicated they would consider adopting their children to Americans. Through a series of setbacks, multiple miraculous events and answers to prayer, Robin and I contacted him and adopted our Russian baby girl, Hannah Elizabeth, nine months later on Jan. 13, 1997. We had considered adoption earlier in our marriage before Matt’s arrival but found it to be cost prohibitive. Adoption became a part of our family history – something I’m sure we wouldn’t have considered except for our issues with infertility. It became a loving option for us and a great blessing – though a challenging one at times, too!
As I was praying for someone in our Willow View family this morning who is adopted, I realized once again what a wonderfully loving option it truly is for the child without parents and a place to call home. God our Heavenly Father has done that for each of us. Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” The only way we come to the Father is through adoption.
This is Sanctity of Life Month, and I’m so extremely glad the Lord gave me life and a family to belong to. I’ll be sharing more about that this Sunday. Look forward to worshipping our Lord together with you!
Love you,
Pastor Mark
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