Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin appointed a well known Southern Baptist professor to head up an effort to overhaul the state’s adoption and foster care system. Daniel Dumas currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, Kentucky.
In a press release, Governor Bevin called Dumas “a visionary” and praised him as “a servant leader.”
“There is no reason a child in Kentucky, who is ready to be adopted, should be without a family,” Bevin said. “We have to rethink the way we do foster care in this state, and Dan Dumas is just the visionary to help lead that charge. Dan is a servant leader, and his proven track record of excellence in innovation will help us cut through the red tape currently keeping 8,000 of Kentucky’s foster children from their forever families.”
A father of four adopted children, Governor Bevin has made reforming adoption and foster care a key priority of his administration.
A former Navy veteran, Dumas has served as Senior Vice President of SBTS since 2007. Dumas called the appointment “an honor,” and vowed to reform the adoption system on behalf of children and families.
“I am resolved to make our adoption and foster care system faster, safer, more affordable, and more accessible,” said Dumas. “Gov. Bevin and I are committed, along with many other Kentuckians, to not back down until every orphan in Kentucky has a loving home.”
Other Southern Baptist leaders strongly praised the appointment.
Russell Moore, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, tweeted: “This is terrific news. Dan Dumas is an *amazing* leader who will do great things to serve families and children.”
This is terrific news. @DanDumas is an *amazing* leader who will do great things to serve families and children. https://t.co/MnU8oCxTum
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) May 3, 2017
In a follow-up tweet, Moore added: “Thank you, Governor Matt Bevin, for this excellent appointment. This is a great hire and good news for families, children, and all Kentuckians.”
Thank you, @GovMattBevin for this excellent appointment. This is a great hire and good news for families, children, and all Kentuckians. https://t.co/Ej6lWtM9ZR
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) May 3, 2017
Dumas is scheduled to begin his new job on June 19.
