“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases”
Hosted by Ellen Krause (Mentor Mama)
The Beauty of Adoption—and the Hope of the Adoption Journey (with Alex & Stephen Kendrick)
Adoption is brave, tender, and full of hope. In this conversation with Alex and Stephen Kendrick, we talk about the true adoption story behind LIFEMARK, the beauty of adoption, the church’s role, and how God adopts us into His family through Christ.
Timestamps & Chapters:
00:07 — Welcome & why this topic matters
01:54 — Sponsor: Group prayer courses
03:36 — Meet the guests
05:06 — Why a film about adoption now? (Alex)
08:13 — Stephen’s family adoption story
13:34 — How the film gets the emotions right (Alex)
16:39 — How LIFEMARK can shape views on adoption (Stephen)
21:03 — Mentor Mama reflects
22:28 — When reunion isn’t possible: hope & identity
29:01 — Adventure IRL
30:33 — What the Kendricks hope viewers take away
34:28 — Tickets & resources
36:00 — Follow the Kendricks
36:43 — Favorite Bible translations & study tools
39:11 — Journaling tools
40:10 — Favorite study apps
41:18 — Closing & CABT resources
Why the Adoption Journey Is Beautiful (Even When It’s Hard)
Adoption is where courage meets love. It’s a mom’s selfless choice, a family’s open space, and the slow unfolding of belonging. For our family, it’s personal—Mentor Mama was adopted as a baby and has carried lifelong gratitude for both yeses: her birth mother’s decision to choose life and her parents’ dream of becoming a family.
In this episode of the Coffee and Bible Time podcast, we sit down with Alex and Stephen Kendrick to talk about the beauty of adoption and the hope woven through every adoption journey, seen through their film LIFEMARK—a true story that highlights adoption, reconciliation, and love.
A Christian Adoption Story: The True Events Behind LIFEMARK
After finishing Overcomer, the Kendricks watched I Lived on Parker Avenue, a short documentary about a young woman who chose life at the last second, placed her son for adoption, and was thanked 18 years later by the son she feared might hate her. That reunion—filmed by a friend—sparked the vision for LIFEMARK, letting the true story speak for itself.
“It’s hard to argue with a true story. We wanted to show the beauty and possibility of adoption.” —Alex Kendrick
Because the real family participated on set, much of the dialogue reflects their actual words. Today, David is a lawyer who helps families adopt—hope multiplying into more hope.
Adoption and Faith: What the Bible Says
Adoption isn’t just a social good—it’s a Gospel picture.
“In Christ, we’re fully adopted. Our identity is secure. We are wanted. We belong.”
When Reunion Isn’t Possible: Hope for Adoptees & Birth Parents
Not every story includes a joyful reunion. If a birth parent or adult child says “no contact,” it often reflects their own pain or fear. As Stephen shared, respond like a missionary: pray for their healing, entrust the timeline to God, and let Christ fill the gaps no human can. Your worth is not in someone else’s decision—your identity is secure in Jesus.
How Churches Can Support the Adoption Journey
Favorite Study Tools Mentioned
Key Scriptures (for quick reference)
Ephesians 1:5; John 10:16; James 1:27; Colossians 3:15; Ephesians 3:14–19; 1 Timothy 2:1–2.
Resources & Links
Coffee and Bible Time Tools
FAQs: Beauty of Adoption & the Adoption Journey
What is the LIFEMARK movie about adoption?
A true story of courageous love, reconciliation, and the life-changing gift of adoption.
Is adoption a biblical picture of God’s love?
Yes—Ephesians 1:5 shows God adopting us in Christ. Adoption reflects the Gospel.
How can Christians support birth mothers and adoptive families?
Pray, give, volunteer locally, and build church ministries that offer ongoing, practical care.
What if my birth parents don’t want contact?
Your identity is secure in Christ. Pray for their healing and entrust the timing to God.
What Bible verses talk about adoption?
Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4–7; James 1:27.
Leave a Reply