This Adoption Story Will Move You to Tears: w/ the Kendrick Brothers

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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

Adoption story will move you to tears  for the Christian A Mom and Dad swinging child.

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.

  • Ephesians 1:5 — God “adopted us to himself as sons through Jesus Christ.”
  • John 10:16 — Jesus’ heart for “other sheep… not of this fold,” a verse God used to nudge Stephen toward adoption.
  • James 1:27 — Pure religion includes caring for widows and orphans.
  • Ephesians 3:14–19 — We need the Spirit to help us grasp the width and depth of God’s love.
  • Colossians 3:15 — Let Christ’s peace guide you in decisions.

“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

  • Pray & preach with compassion. Hold truth and tenderness together.
  • Support local pregnancy resource centers. Volunteer, give, serve.
  • Start/strengthen adoption & foster care ministries. Practical help > platitudes.
  • Equip small groups. Host panels, book clubs, and testimony nights.
  • Care long-term. Attachment and healing take time; keep showing up.

Favorite Study Tools Mentioned

  • Bible Gateway (read/listen), Blue Letter Bible (original-language tools), Bible Audio (audio Bible with music/FX).
  • Journaling: a simple leather notebook to record what God shows you—date entries and look back to see growth.

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.

Coffee and Bible Time Tools

  • Prayer Journal (Sticky Notes Included) — a simple way to keep Scripture and prayer close.
  • Prayer Binder — Flexible with structured tabs to track requests and God’s answers.

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.

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