Courageous for the Kids

By CHRIS DRIVER
Baptist Progress Writer

​Writing your first book is a very intimidating and scary ordeal for most people. Like all creative endeavors, publishing a book for the whole world to see (and critique) requires writers to be vulnerable with their most intimate thoughts. In fact, it is such a dauntingly intimate process that most people with a desire to write a book never actually muster the courage to make it happen.
 
However, that was not the case for Texas Baptist Hope for Children president, Jason Curry. Early 2026 will see the publication of Jason’s first book, A Chance for Hope: courageous change for children. Drawing inspiration from the title itself, Jason mustered the courage to write his book, not for himself, but for the children he so desperately loves and fights for on a daily basis.
 
But the title of the book is not a description of his own courage. It is a challenge to every reader and every supporter of a very special ministry as they struggle to embrace a monumental decision to change the beloved name of the foster care and adoption agency from Texas Baptist Home for Children to Texas Baptist Hope for Children. The change involves just one letter. But that one letter changes everything and a change that big takes tremendous courage to make.
 
As the foster care system in Texas began to change, especially in regard to group homes, Curry began to be burdened with this small but monumental change to the name of the ministry he has been leading since 2017. Changes to the Texas system no longer allowed for large group homes to house and care for children in foster care. So, hope for children in the foster care system now rested on families willing to open their own homes and lives as a refuge in times of need.
 
Curry began sharing with people about the possible name change and casting a vision for children in foster care; a vision for healing, for reconciliation, for love, for family and for hope. But almost every opportunity to share the vision for this preferred future was met with the same questions: “Why do you have to change the name?” and “Why aren’t kids on the campus anymore?” His challenge became clear. How could he cast a clear vision of a future for the ministry that would help people understand that “home” no longer accurately represented what TBHC did or could do in light of the changes to the foster care system?
 
That’s when Jason began working on what he called “a love letter to donors” in an attempt to explain the need for the change and, at the same time, inspire donors to catch the vision of what TBHC could be.
But it was not long before Curry realized that these letters could be more than just a bridge for donors to understand the bigger mission for TBHC. The letters soon took on a greater purpose of giving an “eagle eye” look at not only the ministry of TBHC, but the greater responsibility of every Christian and every church to engage the brokenness happening in so many children’s lives across the state and nation.
 
The book quickly began to take shape as he interviewed past leaders and workers of TBHC and even a young lady who grew up on campus and eventually aged out of the foster care system. Stories began to unfold of important and innovative changes over the years that were necessary for the mission to not only survive, but to thrive. Curry uncovered a treasure trove of hope as he interviewed former presidents Alan Rogers and Eddie Marsh, Neva McLaughlin (daughter of former president Ted Stanley), former vice president Randy Odom, long time employee of TBHC Joanna Noggle and former campus resident Jessica Cawthorne.
 
Curry describes the style of the book as having a “fictional air to it” as he tried to imagine what he might have been thinking and feeling as they were making some of the decision necessary to move TBHC forward. “It’s TBHC’s story but not a history,” Curry says.
 
The Texas Baptist Home (Hope) for Children’s value proposition statement reads, “We believe caring for children is a calling for everyone. Answering that call places you at the center of God’s will.” And that is a beautiful summation of Jason’s heart for writing this book.
 
When asked what his hope for the book is, Curry’s most passionate and sincere response continues to be, “I would love it if this book would simply inspire people to make a difference. For people to see that they can.”
 
A Chance for Hope: Courageous Change for Children is scheduled to be released for purchase in early 2026. But if you would like to stay connected with the project and receive updates about the book, use the QR code on this page and get signed up so you can be part of giving Texas children a chance for hope.

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