(RNS) — Bethany Christian Services, long described as the country’s largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency, will no longer allow LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt, according to a statement to RNS.
In a press release posted Wednesday (June 10), the Michigan-based agency announced that its board voted to “clarify and reinforce” its Christian faith commitments. Those changes require staff and board members to “personally agree and adhere to” a belief statement that includes the Apostle’s Creed, recognizes the authority of the Christian Bible and affirms the image of God in every person. The belief statement also defines God’s design for marriage as “a covenant between one man and one woman.”
In an email to RNS, a spokesperson confirmed that these changes will also impact the selection of foster and adoptive parents.
“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,” they said.
The spokesperson added that senior leaders on staff and others who have “certain roles” with “significant responsibility and oversight” were expected to agree with the belief statement by June 1; all other staff must align by next year, June 1, 2027. Bethany declined to share specific staff impact numbers.
When asked if these changes were due to concerns about funding or based on input from donors, a spokesperson said the decisions were not due to external pressure but “reflect a decision to reinforce our Christian identity by our Board and Executive Leadership fo …