Alabama Church Hosts Reunion for Indian Adoptive Families

Imagine seeing your child light up when they realize they're not the only one with their unique story. That's exactly what happened when Lifeline Children's Services brought together adoptive families at North Shelby Baptist Church in Birmingham this July.

More than 50 children adopted from India joined their families for the 2026 Indian Family Reunion, a celebration designed to help kids connect with their heritage and parents share wisdom from their adoption journeys. The event created a rare space where families could embrace Indian culture together while building friendships with others walking similar paths.

Jared Cornutt, the church's lead pastor, knows firsthand why these connections matter. He and his wife Kandace adopted two of their five children from India: Andrew in 2018 and Benjamin in 2023. At the reunion, their sons saw other kids who looked like them living in loving families.

"Their story's not the same as our story, but they're living the same kind of life that we're living," Cornutt explained. The chance to swap advice with families further along helped answer questions about navigating difficult conversations as adopted children grow older.

The Cornutts chose India after learning that one in five orphans worldwide lives there. More than 30 million orphans call India home. They partnered with Lifeline because the Christian organization focuses on placing children with families who will share the Gospel with them.

Brandon and Andria Owen attended with their three biological children and 18-month-old Kai, recently adopted from India. The family views Indian culture as a beautiful part of their identity now, not something their son lost when he joined their family.

"We just want Kai to always feel that we're proud of where he's from," Andria said. The couple chose India because serving where the greatest need exists felt like a clear calling from God.

Why This Inspires

This reunion represents something bigger than cultural celebration. It's about children who might have grown up without families now hearing bedtime stories and learning they're loved. It's about adoptive parents refusing to let their children forget where they came from while showing them where they belong.

The families got to meet Vikram Naidu, their Indian guide who helped bring many of these children home. Parents swapped stories, kids played together, and everyone celebrated the redemption woven through each adoption story. As Cornutt noted, these children are being redeemed into both earthly families and, through their parents' faith, into a spiritual family as well.

Lifeline stays connected with families long after adoption papers are signed, offering support through every stage of the journey. The agency has grown its India program over 12 years from a handful of families to a thriving community.

For families building bridges between two cultures, this reunion proves that love crosses every border.