“So that the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.” Psalm 78:6
Recently, we had a beautiful conversation with a pastor and the video team leader at Christ Community Church that left us deeply encouraged and challenged.
"The story is the star." - Pastor Michael Byrd, Christ Community Church
This particular conversation was centered on storytelling. We believe that if we tell stories well about what God has done, He will make sure they reach the hands, the hearts, and the people who need to see them.
What struck us most in the storytelling conversation was Pastor Byrd’s challenging reminder: “Every 'successful outcome' we celebrate at Alongside Families is standing beside another possible outcome that never happened.”
Without this ministry, another outcome may have happened. Can you imagine that outcome for a moment with us?
A child entering foster care unnecessarily.
A mother navigating crisis completely alone.
A father drowning silently under the weight of fear and instability.
A family losing connection before someone stepped in to hold hope with them.
We are not the heroes of these stories. But by God’s grace, we often get to be part of the lifeline. Families allow us into some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Sometimes they share their secrets. Their fear. Their exhaustion. Their uncertainty. And somehow, through imperfect people like us, they experience the love of God. Imperfectly. Gently. Relationally. Faithfully.
One of our volunteers offered these words to the Lord at last week’s prayer meeting and it resonated with us:
"Lord, let every story only point back to You.
Keep us low and humble."
What a holy prayer.
We want to encourage you: share the stories.
Tell people what God has done.
Tell people what you have witnessed.
Tell people about the small miracles and quiet faithfulness.
Tell people about the families who found safety, dignity, and hope.
Because your story may become someone else’s possibility. Someone else may finally ask for help because they heard how you reached out for support. Someone may finally volunteer because they saw what your love looked like in action. Someone may finally believe the Church can still be trusted. And that matters deeply. Family preservation is not abstract work. It is deeply human work.
And the impact is real:
Children who remain safely connected to their families experience significantly better long-term emotional and relational outcomes than unnecessary family separation.
Studies consistently show that strong community support and relational intervention reduce the likelihood of child welfare involvement and family crisis escalation.
Alongside Families has now supported hundreds of hostings and thousands of nights of care while walking alongside families with dignity, relationship, and hope.
Thank you for being part of these stories. Thank you for carrying them carefully.
The story is the star. And God is still writing them.