Faith to Foster

by T.J. Menn, Jenn Menn

While our country is preoccupied with chasing the American dream, thousands of children long for a family and place they can call home. Foster children live in nearly every community, waiting in silent anonymity for someone to welcome them into their life. Sometimes all it takes is exposure to prompt change. Faith to Foster is a candid and vulnerable look into the life of ordinary foster parents TJ and Jenn Menn. It is a comprehensive journey chronicling their decision making process, how the children arrived, the birth parents struggle to rehabilitate, help from friends and family, emotional goodbyes, and how faith in Jesus empowered them through it all. This is a story they wished they d read before starting their foster parenting adventure. TJ and Jenn share of their experiences and feelings in a way that encourages readers to serve their neighbors. Faith to Foster reminds Christians how God can use them to make a difference in their community. He can strengthen our congregations to change lives and redeem innocent children from harmful situations. Indeed, Faith to Foster inspires believers to rely on the mighty power of our God as they seek to change their neighborhoods one child at a time.

Genres: Parenting, Fostering, Christian, Nonfiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2016

Reviews

[Lydia Sutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone considering foster care. It goes through the chronological journey of a military couple who decided to become foster parents.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about the world of foster care, the ups and downs...everything. It was very enlightening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

[Kazue Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book far surpassed my expectation. The young couple shares their experiences fostering 22 children and the takeaways. The book cover says that this book “looks into the life of ordinary foster parents TJ and Jenn Menn”. By the time I got to the middle of the book, though, I thought to myself, “Geez, Menns are not ORDINARY. They are far more loving, graceful, and capable than normal people out there.” They experience so much hardships, sadness, and disappointments. Throughout the book, they are very honest about difficulties of fostering. However, these don’t stop them from accepting more children! But importantly, this extraordinariness doesn’t make readers back away from considering fostering themselves. I was never interested in fostering before reading this book, but now I really hope to do it. I read this book only because my friend’s friends wrote it. (I was also somewhat interested in adopting and thought I could learn something from a book on fostering.) Again, now, I am very interested in fostering and hope other people read this book and do the same.

[Adams' Country Retreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. and Jenn Menn's story will inspire and inform you about the ins/outs and ups/downs of the children's foster care program. Together they tell their experiences of fostering at least 22 children. This young couple manages daily life by making important decisions as a team. They encourage each other and are brave enough to say yes when many say no. A child in need or trouble would be lucky to have the Menns as foster parents. They share their faith and encourage others to become foster parents. Whether you're interested in becoming a foster parent or not, this book is a great read. The Menns found their calling in life and encourage you to find yours. Truly an inspiring story that tells how God used them to make a difference in the lives of children and their community.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful & encouraging! The authors are honest about the brokenness and difficulties they walked through as foster parents, but their writing is also so filled with Gospel hope and joy.

I found it really insightful having both TJ & Jenn's perspectives (alternate writing), and also greatly appreciated the conversational way in which the book was written.

So thankful I found this book! My husband and I are in the process of completing foster care training - when we doubted whether to keep 'stepping forward', this book helped encourage my heart not to shrink back in fear and self-protection.

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Menns!

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is meant for people who are considering foster care, but we've been doing foster care for almost a year now, and I found it very beneficial for us as well! The authors basically chronicle all the different children they've fostered throughout the years, and it's helpful to hear about all their different experiences and, throughout it, their heart and God's heart. It's very motivating to help us remember how important it is to keep doing what we're doing and not give up on foster care.

[Jac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Epitomizes the stereotypical “they just need LOVE” naive and damaging foster parent who doesn’t SEE race. Thank fuck they have RULES that CONSTRAIN you from however they wanted to respond to “a homosexual”. And imagine thinking that an infertile couple fostering was somehow unusual? Baffling. There are far better books to learn about being a foster parent from - but I suppose it’s worth knowing that this is representative of a significant number that you’ll meet out there.
Also fuck the constant religious bullshit around foster care, seriously.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I read this book when I did. I was feeling discouraged about some of the tougher aspects of fostering and knew I needed to read some words from someone who had been there. Apparently I highlighted 22 different sections of the book, so yeah, the authors "got it." I could relate to so many of the emotions expressed. They had such Biblical wisdom for getting through the tough times. I know I will look back on this book when I need encouragement.

[Brenda Kominek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and informative

Exellent book. They were very open and honest with their journey of fostering. The ups and downs were all laid out. The fact you never forget the ones you have to say good bye to. If your considering foster care or know someone who is fostering this book will help you to better understand this ministry.

[Rachel Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for me as my husband and I prepare to start fostering in our own home. As a Christian, I loved reading how they learned about their faith through this journey. I also appreciate how they candidly talk about the frustrations and heartache too.

[Deanna Baldock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fostering has been on my heart so my husband and I just signed up for classes. Reading this book was like talking to an experienced friend. It was so hard to hear the heartbreak... but oh their servant heart is so encouraging

[Christina Linder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

This book answers a lot of questions that I had as I take steps to possibly becoming a foster parent.

[Heather Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all foster parents!!

[Jill Beckman]

Gives a real taste of fostering with lots of advice for anyone interested in looking into doing it.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

S1V1L1

[Kimberly Absher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book and this couple's heart for foster care. LOVE that they adopted via foster care, too. If you're interested in fostering or adopting, this is a MUST READ!

[Jessica Dudenhofer Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the unfortunate circumstance of being read after an EXCELLENT book on the same topic, Foster the Family, by Jamie Finn.
This book is full of good personal experiences, but it just can’t compete with the book I read right before it. 🤪🤷‍♀️

[Scott Butki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the interview for this book:
http://blogcritics.org/interview-t-j-...
Update: good book and the interview is in their corner. I'm using the authors to help dispell the stupid urban legends about fostering as I still encounter people who seriously believe families can make a living if they foster several kids.


I was contacted by this family to see if I would be interested in reading their book and then interviewing them. The fact they were a foster
family who had fostered many kids and wanted to dispell myths, like that fostering is like a job with a big pacycheck, that got my interested.

The fact that the book appeared to be smothered in christianity, though, gave me pause. If they didn't delve into how hard fostering can
be i would lose interest.

But I read the first 25 pages and it's quite good and the interview is on.

[Kevin Hisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for anyone who is considering becoming a foster parent.

I read this book as part of a book study. I wasn’t excited about the book when my wife described what it was about at first, but I’m glad I read it. It helped me deepen my understanding of what being a foster parent looks like.

I was able to see the hurt a child feels as they are constantly dealing with broken promises and instability in their life. I was able to see the difference a person can make by loving a foster child and being a parent to them. I was also able to see the hurt that would be felt as a foster parent says goodbye to a child, sometimes mixed the joy of reunification.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book about the ins and outs of foster care. It was so helpful in her and her husbands stories of chaos, grief, and in the end success through Christ. She gave her experience and how she handled placements with a biblical perspective on finding peace in the struggle. I loved every story and piece of advise illustrated through Gods words.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sat on my shelf for several months after I first bought it... all kinds of reasons, but the biggest was that I just didn’t want to think about foster care. Finally started reading yesterday and I’m already finished. I just couldn’t put it down! Such a beautiful story of one couple trusting God with all the hard and scary of their journey. Highly recommend!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well balanced and informative

I enjoyed reading this first hand account of Jenn and TJ's experiences with foster care. They opened my eyes and heart to different scenarios. They didn't sugar coat anything but the book leaves you feeling challenged and encouraged. A great book to read for anyone on this journey of faith and family.

[Chuck Ammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Beautifully written by foster parents who share about the experience firsthand. Inspiring. Honest. As a foster parent, I found it both personally moving, and an excellent resource for those considering fostering to reunify families!

[Heather Alkire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen has done respite for my foster kids.

Can totally relate to her story.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real life stories from a young couple that have already fostered 20+ kids. Their perspective was honest.