By Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor Calvary Chapel Parkland
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 1 in 4 children live without a father at home. Research shows that children from father-absent homes are more likely to have behavioral problems, be drug and alcohol users, and commit crimes and go to prison. Almost all of them are asking “how can I find my dad without knowing his name?”.
While adult men have many titles (manager, board member, pastor, coach, etc.), none is more important than the role of father. Some of us have great memories of our fathers, but this is not the case for everyone. Despite our relationship with our father on earth, the Bible teaches us that we have a Heavenly Father who created and loves us. He is there for us no matter what. The Bible describes God this way: “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13.
Unfortunately, many men take the blessing of being a father for granted. Maybe they don’t have the greatest memories of their father or may not even know him. The Bible has good news for all of us. “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” Psalm 27:10.
After a four year journey of infertility, God blessed my wife, Kim, and I with 4 children, a child for each of those years! We started fostering in 2015 and, while we were fostering, He blessed us with biological twins and then completed our family by allowing us to adopt the 2 boys that we were fostering … all within a year! I am fortunate to have had good examples of a father, grandfather, and father-in-law to model what the sacrificial love of a father should look like. I can also appreciate the time when we experienced the doubt of having children of our own. God used this to help me never take the role of a father for granted.
As Parkland residents, this last year has been a challenging one for many. One amazing thing is seeing how God is turning tragedy into triumph by planting and using churches in our community. On April 14, we launched Calvary Chapel Parkland. We meet every Sunday at 10 am in Westglades Middle School, 11000 Holmberg Rd. I have the humbling opportunity to introduce people to our Heavenly Father and to help them grow in knowing Him on a weekly basis. We would love for you and your family to join us. Our mission is to make disciples, which we do by connecting people to God, to other people, to groups in our community, and to outreach opportunities. Part of our outreach is to be part of the healing process overall. In May, we served lunch to all of the teachers and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Westglades Middle School. We also collected food items to help needy children for Hope South Florida. We are excited to see how God will use Calvary Chapel Parkland and other churches in the community to help meet the needs of our local families.
Fathers, it is time all of us to step up and be the fathers that are wanted and needed in the world today. How we love and raise our children will not only help improve our society but can also introduce people to our Heavenly Father through the way that we love and care for our children. Happy Father’s Day!
Please join us for a Church BBQ/Public Servant’s Weekend on June 9, and please make plans to begin Father’s Day with us on Sunday, June 16
Calvary Chapel Parkland service is held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am at Westglades Middle School, 11000 Holmberg Rd, Parkland, FL 33076 • 954-905-5070 • www.calvaryftl.org/Campus/Parkland
