Ep. 395: Bethany Christian Services Sues Michigan, China Adoptions, 9/11 Heroes Get Help

On today’s program, Bethany Christian Services is suing Michigan for religious discrimination after the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families. We’ll have details. And, as we recognize another solemn anniversary of 9/11, we look at one ministry helping military heroes win the war back at home. Plus, a new survey shows that giving to churches and charities is down—by a lot. But first, China has closed its foreign adoption program, leaving families devastated. The decision announced on September 5 by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning brings the 30-year program to an end, with exceptions for international residents adopting blood relatives or stepchildren. The program officially ended August 28.  The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Bobby Ross Jr., Paul Clolery, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Religion UnPlugged and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today’s program, Bethany Christian Services is suing Michigan for religious discrimination after the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families. We’ll have details. And, as we recognize another solemn anniversary of 9/11, we look at one ministry helping military heroes win the war back at home. Plus, a new survey shows that giving to churches and charities is down—by a lot. We’ll take a look. Natasha: But first, China has closed its foreign adoption program, leaving families devastated. Warren: The decision announced on September 5 by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning brings the 30-year program to an end, with exceptions for international residents adopting blood relatives or stepchildren. The program officially ended August 28. Natasha: What’s going to happen for families who were in the process of adopting? Warren: The State Department is “seeking written clarification from the [People’s Republic of China] authorities regarding the impact on intercountry adoption cases already in process and will maintain close communication with Adoption Service Providers and prospective adoptive parents.” Lifeline Children’s Services, the largest evangelical adoption ministry in the U.S., had about 48 families who had been matched with Chinese children and were in shock and disbelief at the news. Several of the families had met the children and spent time with them in their homes through a hosting program put on by Lifeline. Joshua Zhong and Lily Nie, two Chinese immigrants who founded Cherish Children Adoption International (CCAI), the largest adoption agency for Chinese children said China’s program for international adoption was considered a model for the world with more transparency and less corruption than others. It had been praised by the United States government. Natasha: What’s going to happen to the orphans in China? Warren: Zhong doesn’t know whether they will receive the appropriate counseling, especially those who were expecting to be adopted. The Chinese program is better equipped with resources than it was 30 years ago. CCAI will continue its charitable efforts, including childcare, foster care, medical services, educational funds, and disaster relief to help the thousands of abandoned children in China. Natasha: Next, Bethany Christian Services sues the state of Michigan. Warren: Bethany Christian Services has filed a federal lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Office of Global Michigan (OGM) for discriminating against it because of its religious hiring practices. According to Bethany, the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families and place unaccompanied minors in foster homes for the first time since it began contracting with the state in 1981. In a press statement the group said, “By denying funding for Bethany’s refugee-resettlement services, Michigan officials are blocking critical social services to vulnerable children and families, and jeopardizing jobs at Bethany. Natasha: In 2023, Bethany reported helping over 600 refugees and immigrants and placed around 300 unaccompanied minor refugees in foster families in the state. Warren: But this year, the State of Michigan began denying contracts to Bethany. According to Bethany’s General Counsel Nhung Hurst, the state implemented a new requirement requiring organizations to hire people from all religions. Hurst said contracts with Michigan dating back decades have never included this requirement and that no other organizations were affected by the new provision. Natasha: Why is Bethany affected? Warren: Bethany requires its employees to agree to its statement of faith, which is a restatement of the Apostles’ Creed, a summary of beliefs used by Christians around the world. Hurst said, “Federal law is clear, and the courts have repeatedly affirmed that faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, like ours, can hire staff and select leaders who share the organization’s faith mission. Federal law affirms that Muslim nonprofits can hire Muslims; Jewish nonprofits can hire people of Jewish faith; and Christian nonprofits can hire Christians,” Natasha: And Bethany tried to find a resolution before filing this lawsuit. Warren: Bethany said it made 19 attempts to discuss the situation with the OGM and also prayed for a resolution. After they were unsuccessful, Bethany asked the federal court to intervene and enjoin the OGM from ending the existing contracts until a final resolution of its religious discrimination claims can be reached. Natasha: Speaking of lawsuits, our next story involves one filed by an 18-year-old. Warren: Another lawsuit against the leaders of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School alleging multiple instances of abuse was filed this week in federal court in Missouri, this time by the youngest person yet to take action. The lawsuit is brought under the pseudonym Jane Doe DA, who is currently 18, against Stephanie and Boyd Householder and Circle of Hope. It also names Jeff Ables, the pastor at Berean Baptist Church in Springfield as a defendant. Natasha: Can you remind us what’s happened so far with Circle of Hope? Warren: The boarding school for troubled girls closed in September 2020 after former students and even the daughter of the school’s founders reported an atmosphere of abuse. Stephanie Householder’s felony trial for child abuse and neglect is currently scheduled for October 28. Boyd Householder died in June from cardiac arrest. Natasha: This new lawsuit contains some strong allegations. Warren: Jane Doe DA claims in the lawsuit that she was subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse in 2019 and 2020, starting when she was only 13 years old. She is seeking $75 million in damages. The lawsuit contains allegations of sex trafficking, involuntarily servitude, and fraud. It claims Circle of Hope established a hierarchical system that allowed students to punish one another. the court documents state that “She lived in fear for the entire time she was at Circle of Hope and suffers anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological issues to this day.” Natasha: Ables, a former board director for Circle of Hope, is named in the lawsuit for failing to report the abuse even after the Householder’s daughter, Amanda, directly reported it to him in 2008. Warren: Instead of reporting the alleged abuse to authorities, Ables is accused of telling the Householders about Amanda’s allegations for which she was punished. Amanda Householder sued her parents in 2022, alleging they made her perform forced labor, beat her for their own sexual gratification, force-fed her until she vomited, and made her impose punishments on other students at the boarding school. According to the lawsuit, Ables allegedly “hid children” at the church to prevent the Department of Family Services and Children’s Division from investigating complaints against Circle of Hope. Ables has been the pastor at Berean Baptist Church since October 2000. Natasha: Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, a ministry helping military heroes with PTSD who are still fighting a war at home. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.   BREAK   SECOND SEGMENT Natasha: Welcome back.  I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Next, the story we promised before the break, every day an estimated 22 U-S veterans die by suicide—SOF Missions is working to change that. Warren: Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that propelled the United States into two decades of war. A 20-year military veteran — first with the Marine Corps and later with the Air Force — Damon Friedman knows firsthand about the war’s long-lasting effects. As he tells it, “The cost of the war on terror was paid by my wife and kids.” After contemplating suicide, Friedman finally got the help he needed — body, mind and soul. While still in the Air Force, he — along with his wife Dayna — started a faith-based nonprofit called SOF Missions. The SOF stands for “Shield of Faith.” Natasha: What does SOF Missions do? Warren: For a few years,...