1967: The Establishment
Dallas Christian Services was established by the elders of the Northside church of Christ in Dallas early in 1967. The establishment of the program culminated a year of research and exploration as to the type of child care programs most needed in the Dallas area to meet the needs of children without homes. State Child Welfare authorities, personal in church of Christ children's programs and other knowledgeable people in the child welfare field suggested the establishment of an adoption and foster home placement program.
Necessary policies and procedures were formulated and submitted to the Texas State Department of Public Welfare and a license was received June 9, 1967, to operate a child-placement program. The purpose of the program is to provide counseling services to families to strengthen family life, foster care services for children unable to live with their own family, adoption services for children needing new, permanent families and other material needs and spiritual guidance to homeless children and troubled families.
1st Executive Director
Robert E. Barker was the executive director when Dallas Christian Services first began in 1967. He was a member of the Academy Certified Social Workers.
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1968: Evidence of Impact
In the early months of its program, Dallas Christian Services had already placed nine infants for adoption, with many more expected to need homes throughout the year.
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1975: Recognized Growth
Christian Services becomes the largest Private Foster Care provider in Dallas County.
1993: Adoption Celebration
Christian Services made their 500th adoptive placement.
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1995: Christian Services Expands Ministries
Working in the adoption and foster care ministries, the staff of Christian Services realized that their efforts were in no doubt needed, but did not provide aid until after children and their families have been broken. Because of this, they wanted to create a preventative program that would help children and families stay together. They called it the "Family and Marriage Counseling" program."
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1997: Dallas Christian Services Has Their 30th Anniversary
This is a letter received by Christian Services in their 30th year of serving: "I am grateful to your organization for not only finding good homes for children, but striving to strengthen people and families in crisis and reminding me that God doesn't leave me. I walk and sometimes run from Him. But whenever I'm ready, He is there with His arms open wide and ready to help me forgive myself and others. I just wanted you all to know that I truly am grateful for the work you do. You all touch so many lives and try so hard to help in any way you can. Please never give up. People like me need each of you..."
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2000: GriefWorks Established
Christian Services established GriefWorks as a program dedicated to helping children who have experienced the death of a loved one.
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2004: Dallas Christian Services Becomes ChristianWorks for Children
2004-2005: Continued Branding
With the change from Christian Services to ChristianWorks for Children came a change to some of the program names. Their child placing program is now called AdoptionWorks (Blue logo) and their affordable professional counseling program is now called CounselingWorks (Red logo). Although the names changed, the mission and philosophy of the organization persist.
With ChristianWork's changes and the addition of GriefWorks (Green logo), they were able to reach more people in 2004 than they had reached in their entire ministry.
2009: KIDWorks Established
ChristianWorks established KIDWorks (Kids In Divorce) as a program dedicated to helping children who are experiencing a divorce in their family.
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2010: Partnership with Moyer Foundation
As a part of their GriefWorks program, ChristianWorks partners with Moyer Foundation for Camp Erin DFW. Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children ages 6 to 17 years old. At camp, kids would experience a traditional fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education, peer bonding, and emotional support.
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2012: CareWorks Established
ChristianWorks launched CareWorks as a program dedicated to providing care and basic necessities for orphans in third world countries.
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2014: BreakWay Curriculum Published
ChristianWorks published their BreakWay curriculum to empower churches and counseling centers to host grief and divorce support groups designed to help children and their families overcome the waves that crash through life’s journeys. These curriculums were based on the practices of ChristianWork's GriefWorks and KIDWorks programs. BreakWay would provide program coordinators and group facilitators with the essential tools needed to equip participants in embracing the journey to recovery.
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2015: Added Adoption Services
ChristianWorks started post adoption support groups through the AdoptionWork's program.
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2017: ChristianWorks Opens 2nd Office
ChristianWorks opened an office in Fort Worth widening their reach further than the borders of Dallas. Upon opening, the Fort Worth office was equipped with the resources to provide all of the same programs that were provided in the Dallas area.
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2017: BecomingMom Established
ChristianWorks launched BecomingMom as a free program dedicated to providing professional counseling, materials assistance, and educational events to expectant parents and parents of a child 0-36 months of age.
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2020/2021: End of Moyer Foundation Partnership
In 2020, the 10 year partnership with the Moyer Foundation ended. In the same year, ChristianWorks began CampSunrise. However, the first year Camp was offered was 2021 due to the COVID 19 virus. CampSunrise is part of the GriefWorks program and offers the same resources Camp Erin did.
Executive Directors of ChristianWorks
Robert Barker
Dave Amonette
Dale Wilson
Rick Barnes
Cullen Johnson
Scott Orr
Rob Pine
John Mark Davidson
