Raising Godly Girls

What does it mean to become an agent of God's grace and love in the life of a vulnerable child? Adoption can be a beautiful picture of the Gospel, but not every family is called to become an adoptive family. The good news is that every Christian family can play a meaningful role in supporting children, adoptive parents, and the communities surrounding them. 

On this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore the Biblical heart behind adoption and what it means to reflect God's love for children who need a safe, secure place to belong. From open and closed adoption to domestic and international adoption, they unpack some of the different paths families may encounter while emphasizing the deeper reason Christians can approach adoption: the Gospel itself. Scripture tells us that through Jesus, we have been welcomed into God's family and given the identity of His beloved children. 

The conversation also offers encouragement for families who have a heart for adoption but have not been called into the adoptive-parent journey themselves. Rachael vulnerably shares how God has helped her understand that she can still participate in the blessing of adoption through prayer, financial support, serving adoptive families, and investing in ministries that care for vulnerable children. Through the Raising Godly Girls Minute, Patti Garibay highlights practical ways families can support those walking through adoption, including prayer, financial generosity, and creative opportunities for girls to celebrate and bless adoptive families. 

Rachael and Natalie also explore the often-overlooked network surrounding adoption and foster care, including CASA and Guardian ad Litem volunteers, churches, community ministries, and everyday families willing to step in with meals, supplies, encouragement, advocacy, and practical help. Parents will discover age-appropriate ways to help their daughters move from simply seeing a need to becoming active agents of grace. Whether a family is adopting, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a way to serve vulnerable children, there are countless opportunities to put faith into action and let their light shine. Tune in for an encouraging reminder that when God leads a family into an adoption journey—or into the village surrounding one—He is faithful to equip them for the work He has given them. 

 

Two Things to Remember: 

If you're an adoptive family, your journey is filled with opportunities to see God's faithfulness—and to receive the help and support He provides through the people around you. 


If you and your girl want to support adoption, there are many ways to get involved. Let creativity, compassion, and the Lord's leading turn your family's care into action. 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

1 John 3:1 



Ephesians 1:5 


Psalm 68:5–6 


Matthew 5:16 


 

 

Visit raisinggodlygirl.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What does it mean for a Christian family to truly live out a Biblical view of the sanctity of life? In a culture where conversations about life, abortion, pregnancy, foster care, adoption, and human dignity can feel increasingly complicated, parents have an important opportunity to help their daughters understand that every human life is created by God, bears His image, and has value. 

On this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore what it looks like to develop a Biblical Worldview on the sanctity of life and move beyond conviction into compassionate action. Rather than allowing cultural arguments, difficult circumstances, or exceptions to shape a family's understanding of human dignity, Rachael and Natalie encourage parents to begin with Scripture, seek the Lord in prayer, and view every life through the lens of God's character and design. 

The conversation also expands the pro-life discussion from protecting preborn life to caring for vulnerable children and families. Through the Raising Godly Girls Minute, Patti Garibay highlights practical ways families can support children in foster care—from connecting with local churches and community organizations to meeting tangible needs through service projects. Rachael and Natalie discuss how families can cultivate a heart for life in age-appropriate ways, helping younger girls recognize babies and children as gifts, honor older generations, appreciate people from different backgrounds, and ultimately learn to see others as image bearers of God. 

Most importantly, this episode challenges families to recognize that Biblical belief is meant to lead to action. Parents can start by examining Scripture and praying together, then look for established ways to serve foster families, adoptive families, and vulnerable children in their own communities. And if a needed ministry or care framework doesn't exist, families may have the opportunity to prayerfully step forward and help create one. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about raising girls who not only understand the sanctity of life, but who are prepared to live out the love, compassion, service, and courage their faith calls them to demonstrate. 

 

Two Things to Remember: 

Develop your family's worldview on the sanctity of life from God's Word, through the lens of His character, rather than from personal conviction alone. 


Belief is active—find a way to support vulnerable children and foster families in your church or community, or prayerfully become the ones who help create that opportunity. 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

Psalm 139:13–16 


James 1:27 


Isaiah 1:17 


Genesis 1:26–27 


Deuteronomy 6:4–9 


 


Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What happens when Christians learn to see the families who are often overlooked? 

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Rachael Culpepper sits down with Debbie Sceroler, Associate Vice President of Domestic Programs with Buckner Children & Family Services, for an important conversation about vulnerable children, single mothers, marginalized families, and the Church's call to respond with compassion. 

Together, Rachael and Debbie explore some of the blind spots that can keep Christians from truly seeing families in difficult circumstances. Rather than approaching vulnerable families with assumptions or judgment, Debbie encourages listeners to lead with curiosity, dignity, humility, and a willingness to walk alongside others for the long haul. The conversation also explores how churches can become genuine communities of support for single mothers and children who may lack a strong network of family and friends. 

As parents raise the next generation of Christian women, there is a powerful opportunity to teach girls not only to notice people who are hurting, but to respond with the compassion of Christ. Rachael and Debbie discuss how families can help daughters develop hearts that see the overlooked, welcome the outsider, advocate for the vulnerable, and serve without a "savior" mentality. 

This episode is ultimately an invitation to move from simply recognizing need to building belonging. Because the Gospel calls Christians to care for people not from a position of superiority, but from the humble understanding that every person bears God's image and every family needs community. 

Whether you're a parent, ministry leader, or simply a Christian looking for a practical way to love your neighbors well, this conversation offers encouragement and tangible next steps for becoming part of a community where vulnerable children and families don't have to walk through difficult seasons alone. 

 

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: 

James 1:27 


Micah 6:8 


Matthew 25:35–40 


Galatians 6:2 


Romans 12:15–16 


Philippians 2:3–4 


Proverbs 31:8–9 


Psalm 82:3–4 



 

To learn more about Debbie's work and Buckner and discover ways your family or church can serve vulnerable children and families, visit Buckner.org. Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What does a girl need most when her parents are walking through divorce? In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden turn their attention to the girls caught in the middle of one of life's most difficult family transitions. While Christian conversations often focus on God's design for marriage and the ideal of a two-parent home, this episode asks an equally important question: How can we faithfully care for the girls and families who are living through brokenness right now? 

Melissa shares that one of the greatest gifts a girl can receive during divorce is a safe, steady adult who is courageous enough to step into the unknown with her—and committed enough to stay. Divorce can bring anger, grief, fear, and confusion that a girl may not yet know how to express. She needs adults who will not take those emotions personally, retreat when things become uncomfortable, or expect her to process everything neatly. Instead, she needs consistent reminders that the divorce is not her fault, that she is deeply loved, and that she is secure in Christ. 

Rachael and Melissa offer practical ways parents, relatives, ministry leaders, teachers, and family friends can help bridge the gaps divorce can create. From respecting a family's privacy and avoiding taking sides, to offering groceries, childcare, rides, meals, or help around the house, small acts of generosity can relieve the pressure on a family and create more space for a girl to heal. Most importantly, a consistent adult presence can give her a place to belong and a place to breathe when life at home feels uncertain. 

The conversation also explores a vital distinction from the Raising Godly Girls Minute: divorce may deeply affect a girl, but it does not define her. Her parents' marriage does not determine her identity, her value, her purpose, or the woman and disciple she will become. Through Christ, healing is possible, healthy relationships can be learned, and a beautiful future can still be written. As Rachael and Melissa remind listeners, we may not be able to change a family's circumstances, but we can ask God, "What do I have that You can use?" and faithfully offer our presence, prayers, resources, and love. 

 

Three Things to Remember: 

Approach a girl's situation with wisdom and sensitivity. 


Make your service to the family one of generosity, recognizing that divorce can bring significant financial strain that affects the girl. 


No matter what, be consistent in the girl's life so she knows she is loved, has a safe place to belong, and will not be abandoned. 


 


Scriptures Referenced: 

Matthew 19:1–9 


Matthew 28:20 


1 Kings 17 


 

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What does it look like for Christians to create a true place of belonging for families walking through seasons of hardship, loss, or instability? In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden explore how the Church can better welcome and support vulnerable families—including single-parent families, families experiencing divorce or the loss of a spouse, foster families, and those facing financial, medical, or other unexpected challenges. 

While Scripture presents marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, we also live in a fallen world where brokenness touches every family. The challenge for Christians is to honor God's design for marriage while also making room for healing, compassion, and community when families experience loss or brokenness. Rachael and Melissa discuss some of the blind spots that can unintentionally leave families feeling marginalized and consider what it means to see every person as an image bearer worthy of dignity, practical care, and genuine belonging. 

Drawing from the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, this conversation reminds parents that Biblical compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone in need. Elijah saw the widow, entered into her circumstances, prayed for her family, and responded to their practical needs. Likewise, our families can teach girls to notice those who are struggling, open their hearts and homes, and look for meaningful ways to help—without approaching service from an "us versus them" mindset. 

The conversation also offers practical guidance for families who want to put their faith into action. From praying for Holy Spirit eyes to recognize needs, to working alongside churches, food pantries, pregnancy care centers, family resource organizations, and other community ministries, parents can show their daughters that compassion and strategy can work together to make a lasting difference. With examples from American Heritage Girls' service culture, including National Day of Service and HUGS Bags, this episode encourages families to move beyond simply talking about Biblical community and begin living it out. 

 

Two Things to Remember: 

Being made in God's image makes all of us alike, so move in Gospel love rather than a better-than mindset when serving vulnerable families. 


Link arms with churches, community impact organizations, and your whole community to maximize your power in spreading compassion, love, and resources wherever you are! 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

Psalm 82:3 


Psalm 113:7 


1 Kings 17 


John 15:13 


 

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       


Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.