poverty
Bethany Christian Will No Longer Allow LGBTQ Parents to Foster and Adopt
By Andy Olsen at Christianity Today
· June 12, 2026
· 3 min read
Bethany Christian Services, long described as the country’s largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency, will no longer allow LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt. In a press release posted Wednesday, the Michigan-based agency announced that its board voted to “clarify and reinforce” its Christia
Key takeaway “Beginning June 2027, Bethany will only license and re-license foster families whose Christian faith and beliefs align with our Statement of Faith and Belief,” they said.
Why this matters
The decision by Bethany Christian Services to no longer allow LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt marks a significant reversal of its previous policy, which had been in place since 2021. This change will have far-reaching implications, given the organization's size and scope, with operations in over 25 states and more than 1,000 staff members worldwide. The new policy may lead to a reduction in the number of available foster and adoptive homes, potentially exacerbating the existing challenges in the child welfare system. It is notable that the organization will continue to serve LGBTQ children and families, suggesting that the policy change is specifically targeted at the selection of foster and adoptive parents. The timing of this decision, amid broader political shifts, raises questions about the potential impact on other faith-based organizations and their policies regarding LGBTQ individuals. The effects of this change will be closely watched, particularly in terms of its impact on vulnerable children and families.
About this story
Original reporting by Christianity Today . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: poverty ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: Christianity Today ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Bethany Christian Services, long described as the country’s largest Protestant adoption and foster care agency, will no longer allow LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt. In a press release posted Wednesday, the Michigan-based agency announced that its board voted to “clarify and reinforce” its Christia
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by Christianity Today and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andy Olsen at Christianity Today. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .