Free concert to raise awareness of fostering and adoption

SOPHIA — The NC FosterAdopt Mission is sponsoring a free Christian concert on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Victory Mountain Wesleyan Camp. Featured artists will be Austin French, Tasha Layton, KJ52, National Rock Show and Brittnee & Doyle Hinkle.

The concert, which will begin at 3 p.m., will be held at Victory Mountain’s covered pavilion. The camp is located at 3592 Youth Camp Road.

Mike and Jennifer Allred began NC FosterAdopt Mission in 2020 to help new foster parents navigate the system, such as find help for mental health or medical issues.

The Allreds have been foster parents for a number of years, even winning national awards for their efforts. But when Jennifer told Mike she was tired and ready to quit, he replied, “We’re not done yet. There are still things to do.”

That’s when they applied for 501c3 nonprofit status for NC FosterAdopt Mission. It was a way for them to still be involved in fostering and adoptions.

“We realized there’s a reason for us and others like us as foster parents who were dropping out,” Mike said. “The mission is a way to give back and relieve some of the stresses kids suffer when there are no foster homes. We want to keep them from being separated from their friends” by having to move to other areas.

Allred said he and his wife asked themselves how they could raise awareness of the fact that there are more foster children than foster families. As a result, they started Standing in the Gap three years ago before they receive nonprofit status. 

They would book Christian artists for one event a year that’s free for the community. During the event, they recognize foster parents and their children to let them know “we’re proud of what they do.”

In addition, members of the community at-large hears about the need for more couples to be involved in fostering.

During the event, the audience hears positive music that tells them that there is something greater out there, Allred said. “You can make something out of your life.”

Putting on Standing in the Gap, he said, “is not cheap to do but businesses help support it. We will keep doing it and try to change some lives.”

Allred said that while the covered pavilion has seats for 500, those who attend may want to bring folding chairs just in case. While the concert is free, donations will be welcomed. Also, there will be food vendors on site.

Allred said Dennis LaRue, camp director, wants to keep hosting Standing in the Gap for the coming years.