Ep. 162: Callie Priest on how the church can impact foster care.
Every child needs a place to belong.
A home where they are known. A place where they are safe. A family that sees them for who they are—not simply for the circumstances that brought them into foster care.
In this episode of MercyCast, I sat down with Callie Priest, Director of Strategic Partnerships at WinShape Homes. What made this conversation especially meaningful was discovering that Callie and I first met more than a decade ago while I was meeting at a church where she served. Since then, God has continued shaping her passion for vulnerable children and families.
Callie shared how her journey began with a family adoption that opened her eyes to the realities facing children without permanent families. Later, ministry opportunities around the world—including a life-changing visit to a cemetery community in the Philippines—deepened her understanding of vulnerability and God's heart for those who often go unseen.
Today, Callie helps churches engage foster care in practical and meaningful ways. Through WinShape Homes, she equips churches to support foster families, care for children impacted by trauma, and create environments where healing and belonging can flourish.
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered on a simple truth: many churches want to help, but often feel unprepared. Callie shared how a foster family in her church helped her recognize an important gap. Churches were encouraging foster care without fully understanding how trauma impacts children and families. That realization transformed her approach to ministry and strengthened her commitment to trauma-informed care.
I appreciated Callie's honesty. She reminded us that faithfulness doesn't begin with expertise—it begins with awareness. We don't have to know everything before we take a step. We simply need to be willing to see the needs around us and respond.
We also talked about what Callie calls the "curb cut effect." Originally designed to help people in wheelchairs navigate sidewalks, curb cuts ended up helping everyone—parents with strollers, delivery workers, and the elderly. The same is true when we care for vulnerable children. When we make room for those most in need, entire communities benefit.
One of the strongest themes throughout our conversation was that foster care is not someone else's issue. It affects our communities, schools, churches, and neighbors. And for followers of Jesus, it presents a tangible opportunity to live out the gospel.
The story of foster care points us back to the story of redemption. We were all in need of rescue. Through Christ, we have been welcomed into God's family. Because of that, we are free to open our lives, homes, and churches to others.
You may never become a foster parent. But you can support a foster family. You can invite someone to your table. You can learn the names and stories of children in your community.
Sometimes belonging begins with something as simple as showing up, paying attention, and making room for someone who needs to know they matter.
Key Takeaways
God often uses ordinary experiences to open our eyes to the needs of vulnerable children.
Foster care is a community issue that impacts far more people than we often realize.
Churches can play a vital role by becoming trauma-informed and supporting foster families well.
You don't need to be an expert to make a difference—you simply need to be willing to engage.
Caring for vulnerable children strengthens both families and the broader church community.
Foster care reflects the heart of the gospel: welcoming others into a family where they belong.
Memorable Quotes
"The opposite of poverty isn't wealth. The opposite of poverty is enough." — Callie Priest
"We don't rescue people. We get to be a conduit for what God is doing." — Callie Priest
"When we care well for the most vulnerable, everyone benefits." — Callie Priest
"The church doesn't just support foster families. Foster families are a gift to the church." — Callie Priest
Resources
Learn more about WinShape Homes and how churches can engage foster care in their communities.
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Learn more about Callie and her work on her podcast. Follow Winshape homes on instagram.
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For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.