At Westside Family Church, we believe in the undeniable power of prayer. It’s a core value. In fact, you’ll often hear it said, “We don’t move without prayer.”

Several years ago, a group of moms in the area began praying for children in foster care during their Moms in Prayer meetings. That small act of faith was the tiny kernel of something HUGE God was getting ready to do: the creation of Joy Meadows- a community of single-family homes where foster care families can live, care for large sibling groups, and receive community support, resources and help that result in stability, healing and joy for the children.

Several years ago, Justin and Sarah Oberndorfer say God began putting a burden on their hearts for large sibling groups in the foster care system who are often broken up. As they dreamed about what they could do to meet the need, the idea for “Joy Meadows” began to emerge. In 2017, with just $600—enough to file necessary legal papers and start a website—they put the first stake in the ground. By October 2019, they say God multiplied that money to the amount required to purchase a 23-acre property, and the existing 4500 square foot home in Johnson County that would eventually become the site of the new ministry.

This past Saturday (August 28, 2021), Joy Meadows broke ground on the next phase of the project—building 3 of 11 family homes that will house families caring for large siblings groups in the foster care system.

“The groundbreaking is a concrete symbol that God is at work all the time,” said Sarah Oberndorfer, Joy Meadows Co-Founder and Programs Director. “He put this idea in Justin’s and my hearts, but it also shows that He put a similar burden on the hearts of many to help children impacted by foster care. The celebration was every small step of faith along the way by so many and that allowed us to have this giant leap of progress last Saturday to break ground!”

All three homes have been fully paid for through fundraising efforts. Local construction professional and Joy Meadows Board Member, Michael Strick, will oversee all construction on the homes which are slated to be completed and ready for move in by summer 2022.

50 people gathered to celebrate the moment last weekend, and to pray over the new homes and six different aspects of the ministry including the art barn, the prayer path, orchards and gardens, and the community center where children can receive therapy, have supervised visitation with parents, and more. (If you would like to pray for Joy Meadows, find prayer prompts at the end of this story.)

Westside Family Church has partnered with a network of churches to care for families and children in the foster care system. As part of that effort, Westside identified Joy Meadows as a community impact partner.

“Attending the groundbreaking was an absolutely amazing experience for me,” said Jen Decker, Westside Family Church Foster Care Ministry Director. “Over the last few years, I’ve watched this go from the vision of one family, to an actual idea supported by many, to a fundraising campaign, to an actual place. It’s incredible and only something God could have done.”

Joy Meadows will meet a significant need in the Kansas City area as many families do not have the room, capacity or required resources and support to take on larger sibling groups. Keeping siblings together is important because it helps provide continuity and stability for children during a very traumatic period in their lives.

“The foster care system is all about loss,” said Sarah Oberndorfer, Joy Meadows Co-founder and Programs Director. “It’s the loss of a child’s parents, their home, community, friends, innocence, safety, security and more. Much of that loss is necessary in order to keep the child safe. However, the loss of siblings when they enter foster care is most often an unnecessary loss…That’s a problem that we can fix.”

Oberndorfer points to numerous studies showing that maintaining sibling connection during foster care and placing them together:

Shortens the length of time they are in care
Lessens the impact such as depression and anxiety
Allows for more stable connections with care givers, and
Improves outcomes after foster care.

Joy Meadows also features a garden; orchard with apples, peaches, blackberries and blackberries; and numerous animals on the property.

Find out more about Joy Meadows, including how you can get involved here.

If you would like to pray for Joy Meadows, here are some suggested prayer prompts:

New Home Construction

That the Lord would establish these homes as they are constructed. That each step of the construction would be guided by the Lord’s hand and proceed quickly and smoothly.  “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his step.” Proverbs 16:9

Joy Meadows staff and volunteers will trust God’s MASTERPLAN for the timing of construction phases. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

That in-kind gifts of time, talents and materials would be provided for the construction of these homes. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Families Living In The Homes

Foster families at JM will be rooted and established in Christ’s love and grasp the bigness of God’s love and the protection of their hearts as they serve. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

That the Joy Meadows foster community would be intentional about teaching children in the love of the Lord so it would take root in the heart of foster children living here.“"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

Peace would reign in the homes and foster families. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:5-6

Future Community Center

May the Lord restore the souls of all who enter--foster families, children in care and may He lead them on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. “ He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Psalm 23:3

That all who enter the future Community Center would have fellowship with one another and with the Lord. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

 Existing Community Center

That children in care would learn to cast all their anxieties on Jesus. “ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 peter 5:7

That foster families, Joy Meadows staff, therapists, mentors and volunteers would be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor is not in vain. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

That all who enter will encourage one another and build each other up! “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Pavilion/Garden/Orchard

That children in care, foster parents, garden and orchard volunteers would know that God who began a good work in them will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

That all would marvel at God our Creator as they see the fruits of the field. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Isaiah 40:28

Barn/Art Studio/Equine

That all who spend time in the art studio and with the animals would say: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1

Children and adults at the art studio would recognize that our Lord Jesus is the Potter and we are the clay. Lord mold us into Your image!  “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  Isaiah 64:8