By Lindsey Carraway
Writing Specialist
Like any other day, Matthew Stewart slid on the little boy’s shoes. In next to no time, the child would learn the tricks of securing his shoelaces with “bunny ears” — along with many other lessons in life — but for now, Matthew was more than happy to help him.
Matthew and his wife, Ashley, are houseparents at a Baptist Children’s Village and Family Ministries (BCV&FM) cottage. They walk alongside children in crisis who need a strong sense of stability and simplicity until their next step is clear.
The little boy arrived with his two older brothers, all raised by their grandmother. The Stewarts soon noticed that whatever Matthew did, the youngest boy would follow his lead. Since Matthew wore headphones while cutting the grass, the little boy wore headphones on his bike. After seeing Matthew and “Mrs. Ashley” dance, the boy wanted to learn how to “dip” a lady while dancing. He even learned to pray from watching his houseparents.
On this particular day, while Matthew secured his shoes, the little boy spoke out of the silence, “I love you.” It was the first time a child saying, “I love you,” really impacted Matthew’s heart. He responded with, “I love you too, bud.”
The boys have since been reunited with their grandmother. To this day, the couple still receives welcomed updates from her about the accomplishments the boys have achieved. Ashley affirmed, “You don’t have to have a degree to love children well.”
Houseparents Needed
Mississippi will always have at-risk children. As long as adults struggle with addictions, sin, and the hardships of life, children will face seasons of instability. Houseparents are on mission to provide security and Christ’s love to children waiting on what’s next.
The challenge at hand is a vast harvest field where the laborers are few. More houseparents are needed.
Houseparents are notfoster parents; they are missionariesto the children living on the campus during their stay. They work with a team of other houseparents all residing on the same campus, ministering to the same children, and working together toward the same goals. Like North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries, houseparents receive financial support and ministry training necessary to serve on the field.
“What we really need are people called to a mission field, who want to serve children and families,” said Sean Milner, Executive Director and alumnus of the BCV&FM. “You’re not here to raise children; you’re here to walk with them to the next step God has for them.”
Milner emphasized that the houseparent role extends beyond simply providing meals, clothing, or homework help. Each placement follows a deliberate plan — whether working toward reunification with family, supporting a child until adoption, or guiding them through college or job training.
“It’s not a job, it’s a calling,” said Kassidy Gautier, Director of Houseparent Recruitment. “You teach children the beauty of everyday life with God during chores and daily tasks. Our houseparents see that as mission work and we want the Baptist community to see that as well, and send people to us who want long-term mission work.”
Part of a Bigger Story
Gautier encourages anyone who feels called to minister to children, and isn’t afraid to work hard serving the Lord outside their comfort zone, to prayerfully consider becoming a houseparent. She has seen firsthand how the influence of dedicated caregivers can echo through generations.
For decades, Gautier’s family had no idea that her grandfather, Dr. Milton Baxter, once lived at the Baptist Children’s Village and Family Ministries — then known as the Baptist Orphanage. In the 1940s, when Baxter was just six, his father abandoned the family. His mother tried to manage on her own, but eventually placed him and his two siblings in the orphanage, where they stayed for a few years.
When the Lord led Gautier to serve with the ministry, the now 88-year-old Baxter opened up to her about that period in his life, affirming that the Lord led her there.
“Eighty years after his time in the orphanage, the Lord brought him to the alumni reunion as the oldest alumnus, and he’s finally healing,” said Gautier.
The most difficult part, Baxter said, was being away from his mother and the trauma he internalized from their separation. However, he fondly remembers his housemother, Ms. Marsten.
“Ms. Marsten was not like having my own mother,” Baxter acknowledged, “but she was the next best thing that could have happened. She extended herself to every one of us little boys there and was very warm and attentive.”
Baxter reflected on how his houseparents provided a steady presence during a traumatic time in his life, most importantly introducing him to a personal faith in Jesus.
“I don’t know if I ever went to church before the Baptist Orphanage,” said Baxter. “But our houseparents took us to church, and one thing that sticks to my mind was love. At first I didn’t know what it was, but I felt something. I felt like I was being taken care of.”
Among all Southern Baptist ministries, said Baxter, caring for vulnerable children stands out as one of the most meaningful. He reflected on his own experience, noting that he arrived at the orphanage feeling completely helpless, yet found a deeply spiritual environment that shaped his understanding of God. The Baptist Orphanage, he explained, offered his abandoned family stability, compassion, and a sense of being genuinely loved by the houseparents who cared for him.
“There are so many children living in difficult circumstances today. I can’t say enough good things about the houseparents and staff at the BCV&FM.”
Speaking about his favorite staff member, his granddaughter, Baxter expressed immense pride. “Kassidy is my little girl. I have a lot of good things that I’m so glad about.”
Missionaries with Support
On April 30, the BCV&FM will launch a recruitment video telling the story of a houseparent’s impact from a child’s perspective. In a statewide, church-focused effort to spread the word and call out the called, the BCV&FM has a vision to promote this resource through Sunday school classes, WMU groups, and worship services.
“We want to talk to any and everybody that God would call: those who are going to be passionate about the mission, humble, and fearless,” said Milner. “If you will be motivated and diligent, if you will work well with other people and serve your team, and if you will be courageous, persistent, and stay with it — those are the qualities we need here.”
Commissioned as Mississippi Baptist missionaries, houseparents are provided with:
- Housing, utilities, food, and transportation while on duty
- 14 days on duty and 7 days off duty, with off-duty housing available
- An annual $40,000 per-person salary.
- 100% paid medical benefits
- Mental health coverage
- Life insurance and a retirement plan
- A team of other houseparents, a campus director, and a case manager, all working toward the same goals for each child
- In-depth, trauma-informed training
- Emergency interventionalists available 24/7
For more information about houseparent recruitment, contact the Baptist Children’s Village and Family Ministries at 601-952-2422 or kgautier@bcvms.com.
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