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Pastor Bob Griffith Virginia on Why Churches Struggle With Foster Care Engagement

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Virginia, Manassas, 3rd January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Pastor Bob Griffith, Virginia, has spent years studying a problem every county in the country struggles to address: Foster Care. Local government agencies need volunteer families to open their home to children and provide a safe place for them until the goal of reunification can be accomplished.  Churches are one group strongly positioned to help. They have a theological mandate to care for those in need but according to Griffith, only an estimated 1% of the average congregation is currently doing something to help. Foster care and adoption ministry often receive strong verbal support from faith communities, yet sustained participation often stays low. As a pastor, professor, and nonprofit founder, Griffith has examined why good intentions sometimes fail to translate into action.

Griffith’s work focuses on patterns he has observed across congregations in Virginia and beyond. Churches often express concern for vulnerable children. Fewer develop systems that support foster families long term. According to Griffith, the gap stems less from apathy and more from fear, inaccurate assumptions, and a lack of structure.

“Most churches do not lack compassion,” said Griffith. “They lack clarity. People want to help, but they do not know what helping in this area looks like in practice.”

Griffith points to three consistent barriers. The first involves perceived complexity. Foster care can, at first look, feel overwhelming to some individuals and church leaders alike. Requirements, training, and coordination with agencies can leave volunteers with various questions to answer before they start. Without guidance, many step back and wait. 

The second barrier involves the perception of time required. Churches rely on attendees that may feel their busy lives don’t allow the time needed to make the desired impact. To some, foster care support can feel like another task added to full calendars. When no shared system of support exists, burnout can follow.

The third barrier involves church leadership framing. Foster care can often appear as a niche ministry instead of the core responsibility it truly is theologically. When leaders present it as optional, engagement stays limited. 

Griffith’s perspective comes from direct experience. He has served as lead pastor of Christ Chapel Church in the Washington, DC suburbs and as executive pastor of a multi-site church in the Midwest. He has also taught practical theology and leadership studies at Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida, where he works with emerging pastors.

In classrooms and churches, Griffith noticed the same pattern. When foster care appears disconnected from everyday church life, participation stalls. When leaders integrate it into discipleship, engagement grows.

“People often respond to responsibility in relationship to the church leadership priorities,” Griffith said. “They disengage when leaders see foster care ministry as something extra.”

His research draws from scripture, pastoral practice, and nonprofit operations. He references James 1:27 and Isaiah 1 as texts often quoted but rarely operationalized. Churches almost always agree with the message. They simply struggle with execution.

Griffith acknowledges that not every family is able to foster a child today. He rejects pressure driven messaging. Instead, he advocates for layered involvement. Meal coordination. Notes of encouragement. Purchasing Supplies. Childcare. Advocacy. Foster Family Appreciation. Financial support. Each role encourages foster parents and allows for everyone to do something to help.

Griffith founded 1Hope Together to address these gaps. The nonprofit works with churches to design repeatable support systems. Similarly, another organization he recommends is www.Backyardorphans.org. This organization helps leaders plan roles, training, and partnerships with agencies no matter what size of church they are. Everyone can do something.

His approach has gained national attention. His advocacy has appeared in Outreach Magazine, on K Love radio, and on the floor of the U.S. Congress. Yet Griffith remains focused on local outcomes.

“Foster care only works when communities show up consistently,” he said. “It takes guidance, a customized plan, and a structure that lasts.”

Griffith also reflects on his own hesitation. He did not say yes immediately when first considering helping in foster care ministry. He questioned feasibility. He sought guidance from other leaders and his faith for confirmation. That process shaped his leadership philosophy.

“When leaders admit uncertainty but still take action to help, it brings authenticity to the cause.” he said.

Griffith recently released Fostering Jesus, a book rooted in these observations. While the book does provide theological grounding, its core message aligns with how everyone can do something when we work together. Churches must start with awareness and then move to action through planning.

Griffith continues to advise churches in Virginia and across the country. His focus remains narrow and practical. Remove confusion. Share responsibility. Normalize long term support.

“People care more about helping children in foster care than we think, 38% of the average congregation reports wanting to do something to help foster children, they just don’t know how.” Griffith said. “They need a path forward from their Church leadership.”

For more information on how churches can help, book a speaking event, or purchase copies of his book, visit FosteringJesus.org.

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

AI Meets Arabic Literature: Qirtas App Unveils Scalable Publishing Infrastructure at Web Summit Qatar 2026

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Doha, Qatar, 19th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Qirtas App, a dual-interface digital platform headquartered in Istanbul and Malmo, announced its mission to bridge the global gap in Arabic literature accessibility following its successful showcase in the Alpha Startup category at Web Summit Qatar. By integrating cutting-edge AI production tools with a seamless streaming interface, Qirtas is providing the technical infrastructure needed to digitize the fragmented $4 billion Arab publishing market.

Despite a global population of 430 million Arabic speakers, the publishing industry has long been hampered by prohibitive shipping costs, high piracy rates, and a lack of digital infrastructure. Qirtas App addresses these systemic barriers through a twofold solution: a freemium streaming platform for readers and a sophisticated digital management backend for publishers.

Empowering Publishers through the “AI Production Suite”

Qirtas is not merely a distributor; it is a catalyst for digital transformation. For traditional publishers, the platform offers a dedicated portal to convert physical catalogs into secure, monetizable digital assets.

AI-Automated Production: The platform utilizes proprietary AI to automatically generate high-quality audiobooks and smart summaries, drastically reducing the time and cost barriers that previously prevented publishers from entering the digital space.

Institutional Security: With advanced Digital Rights Management (DRM) and real-time reader analytics, publishers maintain full control over their intellectual property while gaining unprecedented insights into global consumption patterns.

The Future of the Arab Reading Experience

For the global Arab diaspora, Qirtas offers a comprehensive streaming library featuring Qirtas AI, an interactive reading assistant that provides instant translation, text-to-speech narration, and social integration.

“The Arab publishing world is rich in content but starved of modern distribution,” said Tamer Odeh, CEO of Qirtas App. “With Qirtas, we are removing the friction. We aren’t just giving readers an app; we are giving publishers the tools to survive and thrive in a digital-first economy.”

Alaa Barghouth, COO of Qirtas App, added: “Our participation in Web Summit Qatar has confirmed the massive appetite for this technology. We have already secured commitments from major publishing houses ready to onboard their catalogs. We are now focused on scaling our infrastructure to meet this demand.”

Market Opportunity & Investment

The digital publishing segment in the MENA region is currently valued at $400 million and is experiencing rapid year-over-year growth. Having validated its model with early industry commitments, Qirtas App is currently open for pre-seed investment to accelerate its market launch and expand its AI-driven production capabilities.

For more information or to inquire about partnership opportunities, visit qirtasapp.com.

About Qirtas App

Qirtas is a Swedish-Turkish “Deep-Tech” publishing platform dedicated to revitalizing Arabic literature. By combining AI-powered content production with a global streaming model, Qirtas connects 430 million Arabic speakers with the books they love, while providing publishers with the tools to digitize and protect their heritage.

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet

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The BTCD Foundation has announced the upcoming deployment of its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure. This development marks the introduction of a new technical framework designed to support decentralized applications and secure digital transactions. The Foundation has confirmed that the Public Testnet is scheduled to open for user participation on February 15, 2026.

Technical Architecture and Infrastructure

The BTCD platform is engineered as an independent Layer 1 blockchain, distinct from token-based projects that rely on existing third-party networks. The core infrastructure utilizes a hybrid consensus mechanism combining Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) and Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols.

This architectural design is intended to address common scalability challenges in blockchain technology. The technical specifications indicate a capacity for high-volume throughput, with initial testing targeting transaction speeds of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) while maintaining sub-second finality. The system is built to operate autonomously, providing a decentralized foundation for developers and users.

Testnet Deployment and Minting Mechanism

Beginning February 15, 2026, the BTCD Foundation will initiate the Public Testnet phase. This phase allows users to interact with the network’s minting protocol to test system stability and performance.

The minting process follows a programmed algorithmic schedule designed to test the network’s long-term sustainability over a projected 25-year timeline. The protocol includes technical halving events scheduled every 2.5 years to regulate the issuance rate of digital assets on the network.

Transition to Mainnet

The Testnet phase is a precursor to the official Mainnet launch, which is currently scheduled for May 15, 2026. The Foundation has outlined a technical migration plan wherein digital assets minted during the Testnet phase will be recognized on the Mainnet system upon its activation.

Ecosystem Development Roadmap

Following the Mainnet launch, the BTCD Foundation plans to deploy a suite of decentralized applications (dApps) integrated directly into the Layer 1 core. The technical roadmap outlines the phased release of nine specific utilities, including:

  • Nexora: A decentralized communication protocol.
  • Guardian DEX: A decentralized exchange interface.
  • WealthBook: A social networking platform integrated with blockchain identity verification.

    Future updates scheduled for later in 2026 involve the integration of automated trading algorithms and asset management utilities.

About BTCD Foundation

The BTCD Foundation is a technology organization focused on the development of Layer 1 blockchain solutions. It aims to build a scalable, secure, and decentralized infrastructure to support the next generation of digital applications.

Testnet Access: http://btcd.foundation

Community Hub: https://t.me/btcdfoundation1

Media Contact

Organization: BTCD FOUNDATION

Contact Person: Mr. Alex – CEO

Website: https://btcd.foundation

Email: Send Email

Country:Panama

Release id:41440

The post BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet

Published

on

The BTCD Foundation has announced the upcoming deployment of its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure. This development marks the introduction of a new technical framework designed to support decentralized applications and secure digital transactions. The Foundation has confirmed that the Public Testnet is scheduled to open for user participation on February 15, 2026.

Technical Architecture and Infrastructure

The BTCD platform is engineered as an independent Layer 1 blockchain, distinct from token-based projects that rely on existing third-party networks. The core infrastructure utilizes a hybrid consensus mechanism combining Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) and Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols.

This architectural design is intended to address common scalability challenges in blockchain technology. The technical specifications indicate a capacity for high-volume throughput, with initial testing targeting transaction speeds of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) while maintaining sub-second finality. The system is built to operate autonomously, providing a decentralized foundation for developers and users.

Testnet Deployment and Minting Mechanism

Beginning February 15, 2026, the BTCD Foundation will initiate the Public Testnet phase. This phase allows users to interact with the network’s minting protocol to test system stability and performance.

The minting process follows a programmed algorithmic schedule designed to test the network’s long-term sustainability over a projected 25-year timeline. The protocol includes technical halving events scheduled every 2.5 years to regulate the issuance rate of digital assets on the network.

Transition to Mainnet

The Testnet phase is a precursor to the official Mainnet launch, which is currently scheduled for May 15, 2026. The Foundation has outlined a technical migration plan wherein digital assets minted during the Testnet phase will be recognized on the Mainnet system upon its activation.

Ecosystem Development Roadmap

Following the Mainnet launch, the BTCD Foundation plans to deploy a suite of decentralized applications (dApps) integrated directly into the Layer 1 core. The technical roadmap outlines the phased release of nine specific utilities, including:

  • Nexora: A decentralized communication protocol.
  • Guardian DEX: A decentralized exchange interface.
  • WealthBook: A social networking platform integrated with blockchain identity verification.

    Future updates scheduled for later in 2026 involve the integration of automated trading algorithms and asset management utilities.

About BTCD Foundation

The BTCD Foundation is a technology organization focused on the development of Layer 1 blockchain solutions. It aims to build a scalable, secure, and decentralized infrastructure to support the next generation of digital applications.

Testnet Access: http://btcd.foundation

Community Hub: https://t.me/btcdfoundation1

Media Contact

Organization: BTCD FOUNDATION

Contact Person: Mr. Alex – CEO

Website: https://btcd.foundation

Email: Send Email

Country:Panama

Release id:41440

The post BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

file

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

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