The Good Shepherd
Every child longs to know they are seen, valued, and loved. For children navigating foster care, family separation, or other difficult circumstances, the message of belonging can be especially powerful. Through Scripture and caring relationships, children are discovering the hope found in knowing God as their loving protector and shepherd.
Rev. Emily Vanden Heuvel of ReFrame Ministries, the CRCNA’s media outreach ministry, reflects on how her service as a chaplain shaped her understanding of God’s faithfulness and care for children experiencing trauma and uncertainty:
“Before I started working at ReFrame Ministries, I served as a chaplain at a residential facility for kids. Many of the children were wards of the state, meaning that they were in government care because—for one reason or another—their own families couldn't take care of them. Some of the kids were waiting for foster care, while others had no idea how long they were going to have to stay or what was next.
“Many of the kids were hearing about God’s love, learning how to pray, and hearing Bible stories for the first time.
“Although my time serving at the residential facility was years ago, the memories remain vivid. That chapter of my life left a deep impact on me, especially because I had the privilege of offering spiritual care to kids whose short lives had been deeply affected by so much trauma and loss.
“They were curious and asked thoughtful, honest questions about someone bigger out there who cared for them.
“One Sunday, I was sharing the story of the good shepherd from John 10:11-18. I explained to the kids that the shepherds in Jesus' time were caretakers and protectors of the sheep. They would stay with their sheep day and night, lead them to food and water, and defend them from danger. A good shepherd wouldn't run away when things got tough; he would defend the sheep with his life.
“After I finished telling the story, a 10-year-old boy, who had been waiting a long time for a foster family, said something I will never forget: ‘Even if I don't have a dad right now, I can see that God cares for me like I am his own kid—just like the shepherd cares for his own sheep—Jesus cares for me. He is my protector!’ This young man led our prayer time, addressing God as the Good Shepherd.
“Moments like that happened often. Kids would hear from God’s Word, and it would become more than just a story; they would connect personally with the truths they heard and put themselves into the story. They would discover God’s unconditional love and acceptance. God, the good shepherd, had always been there, calling them by name.”
Rev. Emily Vanden Heuvel joined ReFrame Ministries in January 2019 with a desire to help people see God’s love and grace in the painful moments of life. As senior producer of pastoral care, she coordinates ReFrame’s Prayer Team and follow-up care for people who interact with its programs. Before joining ReFrame, Emily served as a chaplain, counseling children and adults through trauma and crisis recovery. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Kuyper College and a master of divinity degree from Calvin Theological Seminary.
To learn more about ReFrame Ministries’ English-language resources and how you can help to share the hope of the gospel with others, visit reframeministries.org.
