FAITH — They enjoyed some good home-grown gospel music at Faith Baptist Church Sunday night.

But the five gospel groups dedicated their performances to nearly 200 Rowan County children who weren’t there to hear.

They are the children in foster care.

Teia Cruse organized the concert to try to raise awareness — and money — for children who don’t have a permanent family.

Cruse said she and her husband, Mike, met a couple at Faith Baptist who had adopted a foster child. The Cruses have two children of their own and have considered adopting.

So Teia Cruse called officials at the Rowan County Department of Social Services, who gave her information about foster children and their support group called the Rowan County Foster & Adoptive Parents Association.

She found out that nearly 30 of the county’s foster children are waiting for adoption and that the state system can’t always meet the children’s needs.

So, Teia Cruse — who already performs with her husband — organized the gospel-singing benefit Sunday night. She dubbed it “Mission Impossible.”

“All the proceeds from this benefit will go directly into a special account for these children to provide money for things, that without this money, they may not be able to afford, things that we so often take for granted, such as a high school yearbook or a dress to wear to a school dance,” she wrote in information handed out to the 125 or so people who attended.

Besides the Cruses, the other gospel groups or individuals performing free were: Chad Miller, Terry Beaver and One Love, all from Rowan County, and the David Smith Trio, whose members live in Concord and Albemarle.

In the information provided at the benefit, Teia Cruse noted that many foster children are separated from their brothers and sisters.

Most are school age, between 5 and 17 years old, and some “require special love and patience due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.”

If you want to get involved, Social Services officials suggest:

• Become a special friend or advocate for a child.
• Bring together separated brothers and sisters for visits.
• Sponsor a child for summer camp, a dance or music lessons.
• Host a “Families for Kids” presentation.
• Take information to your church or community group.
• Make a financial contribution.

If you want more information, call 642-2066. Or you can send a contribution to the Foster & Adoptive Parents Association at 1236 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Cruse said Sunday’s benefit raised about $500, and she said she hopes to organize the event again next year.