By Tony Martin
Associate Editor
The Baptist Children’s Village (BCV) is seeking houseparents to model the love of Christ to children who likely haven’t seen much of that love in their young lives.
“On each campus, we have three sets of houseparents,” said Tom Prather, BCV director of convention relations and minister to the BCV. “That means two sets of houseparents are on duty at one time, and one set provides relief. They rotate.”
“When we’re fully staffed, that means we need 21 sets of houseparents statewide. We’re currently short two sets of houseparents at one campus and one set at two other campuses.”
The BCV, an agency of the Mississippi Baptist Convention governed by its own board of trustees, has seven campuses. The campuses are located in Coldwater, Water Valley, Louisville, Florence, Waynesboro, Brookhaven, and Wiggins.
According to a current BCV brochure, The Baptist Children’s Village mission is “to help children and their families fully understand and experience the healing ministry of Christ by meeting their daily needs and inspiring them to become Christian adults who are happy, healthy, and mature.”
Prather said there is an application process for each prospective houseparent. “People can go to our website and apply,” Prather said. “Karen Rikard, our human resources director, will do background checks. We also check references.
“There is also a place on our website where someone can fill out an interest form. I’m their first contact there. I’ll call them, talk with them, and share about the Village. Then I ask them to apply, and Karen takes it from there. She sends the completed applications to our campus directors, for whatever campus has an opening.
“Campus directors actually do the interviews. They interview them, show them around, and then if both parties feel it is a good fit, make the actual recommendation to hire.”
The job description for the position states: “We believe houseparents are missionaries called to serve our children. We call them our heroes. They’re on the front line.
“We are seeking full-time Christian, mission-minded, husband and wife teams and single ladies. Candidates should be mature Christian adults who have a heart for missions. They should exhibit good personal integrity, character, and have a good reputation with standards and ethics expected of any member of The Baptist Children’s Village staff.”
Prather said when he interviews applicants, he listens closely to hear them say, “God has called us to this. We want to work with children.”
David and Deborah Lott have been houseparents since 2003. “We view our mission as one of loving and mentoring and planting seeds,” the Lotts said in the brochure. “We believe God will grow those seeds, and help children to recall encouraging words we have said to them and things we have taught them later in life.
“We view our mission as one of loving and mentoring and planting seeds. We believe God will grow those seeds, and help children to recall encouraging words we have said to them and things we have taught them later in life.”
David and Deborah Lott, BCV houseparents
“Soon after we came, one of our little boys said to us, ‘Oh, you’ll just leave.’ When the days are tough, those words ring in our ears and inspire us to keep running the race and not be like the other adults in that child’s life. Our children struggle with doubts and fears and need encouragement.
“God energizes us every day, and with that renewed energy we want to faithfully serve in this mission to which God has called us.”
For more information, visit https://www.baptistchildrensvillage.com/. Prather may be contacted at tprather@bcvms.com, or (601) 952-2422.
The ministry of The Baptist Children’s Village is funded by gifts from churches, individuals, and the Cooperative Program.
