When Vic Pentz opens his arms to welcome newcomers, it takes on a different meaning now. That's because the Atlanta pastor recently made a promise from the pulpit to take in any newborn baby brought to the church.
The announcement, which surprised even his own congregation at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, came toward the end of a sermon about abortion and the sanctity of life. "I make a promise to you now and I don't want you to keep this a secret," Pentz said. "The Peachtree Presbyterian Church will care for any newborn baby you bring to this church. We will be the family to find a home for that child, and there's no limit on this. You can tell your friends, and they can tell their friends. … You can tell the whole world."
So how did the church react to his declaration? "I had people walking out, handing me checks," the pastor said. "We just simply say too much without doing the stuff that backs up the words and the rhetoric of the church."
To see his promise through, Pentz says his church is partnering with Bethany Christian Services, a national and international adoption and orphan care agency that has helped connect families with children for more than 60 years. Though he did not elaborate during his initial sermon on the details of his church helping newborns, Pentz has already asked a Bethany representative to speak to the congregation and explain how the arrangement might work. So far a few families in the church have already volunteered to serve as foster families in the interim period.
Yet one of the biggest confirmations Pentz received shortly after making the bold decision was from those working at Bethany. Upon hearing of his decision, Pentz said, "They just smiled and nodded and said, 'You know, we've been praying for a pastor to stand up and say that. Because we can provide all that support that you promised." [11alive.com, 6/15/09]
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