Raising Fatherless Kids

Over 20 years ago Lori Apon found herself raising eight children without a dad and in desperate need of help. Psalm 68:5, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling," became the family's anchor.Raising Fatherless Kids podcast hosts weekly conversations that offer practical guidance on how to do life with children who don't have a dad. You will hear from Lori Apon, founder of Perspective Ministries, and guests who bring hope and understanding because they have been there. The good news is that with God as Father you are never alone!

Raising Fatherless Kids is a kids podcast hosted by Lori Apon, with 227 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Lori Apon hosts Raising Fatherless Kids, a kids show with 227 episodes published.

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  Raising Fatherless Kids

  229. Handpicked by God: Amy Vliet’s Story of Adoption, Faith, and Fatherlessness

  Aug 19, 202647 min

  Amy Vliet grew up in Japan as one of 15 children adopted by missionary Betty Vliet, founder of Ebenezer Children’s Home. Although Amy never knew her biological father, her mother taught her from an early age that she had been handpicked by God and could know Him as her Heavenly Father. Amy shares how that foundation carried her through the questions of growing up without a dad and, years later, through the loss of her husband, Russ, to cancer. Her story is a testimony of God’s faithfulness through generations and the truth that He is Father to the fatherless. Key Takeaways -One step of obedience can impact generations. -The importance of helping adopted and fatherless children understand their stories through a biblical perspective. -A mother’s example of faith makes a lasting impact through Scripture, prayer, and family routines. -God is faithful to be Father to the fatherless. Scripture Referenced: Psalm 61:2, Psalm 68:5 How to Connect Absent Dad Present Father Discover Amy’s story along with 29 other testimonies of God’s faithfulness in Absent Dad Present Father Perspective Ministries Learn more about resources and encouragement for widows, single mothers, and fatherless children through Perspective Ministries. Raising Fatherless Kids Podcast Subscribe to Raising Fatherless Kids and share this episode with a mom or family who needs the encouragement that God is faithful to be Father to the fatherless.

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  Raising Fatherless Kids

  228. God’s Gentle Fathering with Susan Bongers Richcreek

  Aug 12, 202631 min

  What happens when a twelve-year-old girl loses her father just days before her thirteenth birthday? In this heartfelt conversation, Lori welcomes Absent Dad, Present Father contributor Susan Richcreek to share how the loss of her father shaped her life and how God faithfully stepped into the role He promises in Psalm 68:5 as Father to the fatherless. Susan shares what it was like to lose her father to cancer at age twelve and how that loss impacted her growing up. Together, Lori and Susan discuss God's promise to be a Father to the fatherless, the unique challenges children often face after losing a parent, and the practical ways God faithfully provides comfort, wisdom, and guidance through every season. They also encourage mothers and fatherless children to trust God's character and His faithful presence, even when life does not unfold as they hoped. Key Takeaways God faithfully steps into the lives of the fatherless as the perfect Father A personal relationship with God brings strength through grief and every season of life Even when we do not understand God's plan, we can trust His character God's gentle presence often meets us in ordinary moments when we need Him most Resources Absent Dad, Present Father Connect with Perspective Ministries Learn more about Perspective Ministries and resources for widows, single mothers, and fatherless families. Website: https://perspectiveministries.org

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  Raising Fatherless Kids

  227. Knowing God as Father with Zach Garza

  Aug 5, 202638 min

  What happens when a father leaves? How does that absence shape a young man's heart, and how does God redeem the pain? In this powerful conversation, Lori Apon welcomes author, speaker, and founder of You Can Mentor, Zach Garza, to share his story of growing up after his father left when he was in middle school. Zach speaks honestly about the anger, fear, and deep longing for attention, affirmation, and acceptance that marked his childhood. More importantly, he shares how God patiently led him from an orphan mindset to the security of knowing Him as Father. Through godly mentors, forgiveness, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Zach discovered that his past did not have to define his future. This conversation offers practical encouragement for single and widowed moms raising sons, fatherless young people, and anyone who wonders whether God can redeem generational pain. In This Episode Why father wounds often create a longing for attention, affirmation, and acceptance. What Zach means by an "orphan spirit" and how God invites us into true sonship. The power of mentors in the life of a fatherless child. Why forgiveness brought freedom instead of bitterness. How God can transform generational patterns into a legacy of hope. Key Takeaways Practical encouragement for moms raising sons without an earthly dad. Moving from an Orphan Mindset to Sonship Understanding how God can transform generational patterns into a legacy of hope. Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness Resources Mentioned Absent Dad Present Father The Impact of a Mentor Part One Episode 50 with Zach Garza The Stages of Growing up without a Dad Part Two Episode 51 with Zach Garza Tell Me About Your Father by Zach Garza You Can Mentor National Network for Christian Mentoring Connect with Perspective Ministries ⁠perspectiveministries.org Whether your child's story includes death, divorce, abandonment, addiction, or another form of father absence, God has not forgotten them. He is still writing their story. He is patient, faithful, and able to become the Father they need. As Zach reminds us, what the enemy intended for evil, God can use for good.

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  Raising Fatherless Kids

  226. Learning to Trust the Father with Kayla Norman

  Jul 29, 202659 min

  What happens when your father is alive but absent? In this heartfelt conversation, Lori Apon welcomes Kayla Norman , one of the contributors to Absent Dad, Present Father , to share her powerful story of growing up with an inconsistent father because of addiction. Together, they discuss the disappointment of broken promises, the lifelong gift of a mother who refused to speak negatively about her children's father, how children often carry burdens no one sees, and the journey of learning to trust God as the perfect Father. Kayla's testimony is a beautiful reminder that although an earthly father may be absent, God is always present, faithfully redeeming every part of our story. Key Takeaways Whether you are raising fatherless children, healing from your own father wounds, or longing to better understand God's heart as Father, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and lasting hope. God can redeem the pain of an absent dad and reveal Himself as the perfect Father A mother's integrity and grace can have a lifelong impact on her children's healing Your past does not determine your future when your identity is found in Christ Resources Absent Dad, Present Father Connect with Perspective Ministries If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that when an earthly father is absent, God is always present. Hope grows when it is shared.

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  Raising Fatherless Kids

  225. Helping Your Son Manage Anger

  Jul 22, 202628 min

  In this conversation, Lori is joined by her son, Evan Apon, to discuss anger among boys growing up without a father. What can feel like sudden outbursts or emotional shutdown is often something deeper—unexpressed grief, frustration, or questions of identity. Together, they offer perspective from both a mother and son, helping you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface. You will also hear practical encouragement on how to respond with wisdom, create a safe place for conversation, and guide your son toward handling strong emotions in a healthy and God-honoring way. Key Takeaways: -Anger often reveals what is beneath the surface -Boys process emotions differently than girls -Create a safe place for honest conversation -Lead with calm and invite healthy outlets Other Resources: Understanding Emotional Changes in Fatherless Young Men with Guest Evan Apon Podcast Episode 134 Anger in Grief Podcast Episode 204 Connect with Perspective Ministries: perspectiveministries.org

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