Redefining Family: The Hard Truth About Adoption, Faith, and the Fight for Hope

In this eye-opening episode of See the Miracle, Brady Murray sits down with Melissa Tubergen, co-founder of Give Hope Ministries, to explore the raw and often uncomfortable realities of adoption and foster care. Far from the romanticized narratives, Melissa shares the deep challenges of adopting older children, the trauma they carry, and the delicate process of building trust in a world that has often let them down.

Melissa doesn’t sugarcoat it—adoption isn’t just about saving children; it’s about stepping into brokenness, embracing the unknown, and being willing to confront your own limitations. Through faith and resilience, her family has created a home where every child—regardless of background—can find healing, purpose, and a place to serve others through ‘missional spaces.’ But the journey isn’t easy. It exposes personal and relational struggles, demands relentless patience, and requires parents to prioritize their own self-care to avoid burnout.

This episode challenges us to ask: Do we truly understand what it takes to love unconditionally? Or are we only willing to embrace the idea of adoption when it’s convenient?