A model of care for families in need

For 128 years, the Baptist Children’s Village (BCV) of Mississippi has ministered to orphaned and at-risk children and their families.

Plans for the organization, originally called

The Baptist Orphanage, began in 1893, and by May 12, 1897, the ministry took in its first child.

During the early years, BCV ministered primarily to orphaned children by providing Christian guidance alongside food, clothing, and shelter.

Over time, however, the ministry’s scope expanded beyond caring only for orphans to include any children who needed a home or were in a situation in which their parents or guardians could not provide the care they needed.

Sean Milner, executive director of BCV, and Tim Lampley, campus director of BCV’s Reedy Acres Campus in Water Valley, Mississippi, spoke with The Stand about the ministry and its model of care. They also offered suggestions on how to know when it may be time for a family to seek the type of help BCV offers and what to look for in a similar ministry for those outside of Mississippi.

Keeping families together

BCV has a number of programs that address the needs of families in dire circumstances and serve them in a variety of ways.

Through its Residential Child Caring Program, BCV assumes the responsibility of a child and provides temporary care on one of its campuses. Through its Residential Family Program, single mothers are placed with their children in a group-living environment. This allows the mother to stay with her child while working simultaneously toward self-sufficiency.

BCV also offers an In-Home Family Support Program, whereby it serves families in their own homes through training and education. The goal is to create a safe and stable environment, thereby reducing the likelihood of the children being placed into state custody.

Whatever program is utilized, BCV’s goal is to keep the family intact.

“It’s our effort to reconnect [the child] with their family and put the family back together,” Milner said, “the way God wanted that family to be.”

In fact, Milner explained that quite often parents are willing to accept help but are afraid they will be separated from and lose custody of their children.

“We like to make sure everybody understands that on private placements, you’re not going to lose custody,” Milner said. “You are always in control. You can remove your child at any time.”

Maintaining normal life

BCV operates seven campuses throughout Mississippi. On the campuses, boys and girls live in seperate homes overseen by “houseparents,” who provide care, love and guidance.

As a former houseparent himself, Lampley explained the efforts of BCV to provide a setting that feels as much like a normal home as possible.

Lampley described Reedy Acres, where he serves as campus director, as a country setting with beautiful homes complete with front porches and rocking chairs, places to picnic and have campfires, and a lake often visited by ducks and geese.

“It’s a beautiful, serene environment on all our campuses,” Lampley said.

Echoing Lampley’s sentiments about maintaining a normal home life, Milner said, “Life at BCV is just like life in most homes. The kids go to … school, they attend the local church, they play football, they’re cheerleaders, they’re in the band, etc.

“The campus director, the house parents, the case managers, and the administrative assistants strive to make it very much like a home,” Milner continued. “The kids are involved in the community, so it’s very natural and not institutional.”

Reaching out for help

Milner explained that most children placed with BCV are private placements, meaning the parent or guardian seeking help has brought the child to BCV voluntarily, without the state or attorneys being involved.

The difficulty parents face is realizing when they can no longer manage their family well and that they need outside help.

“If you’re dealing with a behavioral issue or a mental health disorder, work with a counselor and try to hold your family together,” Milner said. “But if you find you’re incapable of properly caring for the child, that’s when you might want to consider talking to the Baptist Children’s Village.”

Milner also encouraged grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives caring for children to seek help from BCV when they feel overwhelmed.

“[And] if you know the family down the road is struggling with caring for their child, we don’t want you to get involved in that, because that’s [probably] too big for you,” he explained. “Love that family enough to go to them and say, ‘I know you’re struggling, and there’s this place, the Baptist Children’s Village, that will help, if you just give them a call.’”