Lost & Found Radio Show


Lost & Found

Purpose:

  • To raise awareness about the critical conditions faced by vulnerable populations, including those in foster care, homelessness, trafficking, incarceration, and other crises.
  • To highlight the impactful work being done by faith-based organizations in these areas, showcasing their dedication and successes.
  • To inspire and mobilize the body of Christ toward meaningful action, facilitating connections with existing teams and ministries already on the frontlines of this work.


Paula Cracium
Community Engagement Director

In the United States, there are over 400,000 children in foster care. Of these, 60,000 are in California, and nearly 30,000 are right here in Los Angeles County. These children are literally all around us, in desperate need of love, care, and compassion—the very things that people of faith are uniquely positioned to provide.

Through Lost and Found, we aim to shine a light on the plight of these vulnerable children, many of whom are just within arm's reach. We want to raise awareness about the vital work being done by faith-based organizations and explore how each of us can play a role in turning the tide and helping to rescue these precious children.

The statistics are sobering: 50% of the homeless population has spent time in foster care, 75% of incarcerated individuals have experienced the foster system, and 50% of those rescued from trafficking were once in foster care. These children are truly at ground zero, and it’s clear that igniting the church and people of faith to engage is the only path forward.

My prayer is that God uses this initiative to stir His people to action, to revive their hearts, and to redeem His children.

About Paula

Paula has always had a heart for the community and has won the distinctions of Woman of the Year in California 3 times, and once in the City of Los Angeles, for her efforts in the community. She was recently invited to the White House to highlight her work in foster care.

As Director of Community Engagement, she helped launch ShepherdGO.com, a site that empowers the church body to go out into the community and serve. Paula is passionate about the church caring for its communities, especially those who may be under-served and hurting such as foster youth, the homeless, and trafficked youth to name a few.

She works advocating for foster youth to increase the focus and resources at the federal, state and county levels, and to ignite “the Church” to action for the people we are called to serve.

Serving Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services Faith Collaborative (DCFS,) she works closely to connect and resource faith organization in their efforts to impact the lives of children connected to DCFS. Recently, working with people from the entertainment industry, she partnered to create the Open Your Doors Initiatives, engaging the entertainment industry in efforts that would benefit foster children.

Paula feels honored and humbled to be a part of what God is doing at Shepherd Church. “God is moving here,” she says. “All we have to do is keep following His lead."

Growing up in church as the daughter of a Southern Baptist preacher and church planter, ministry has always been a part of Paula Cracium’s life. She has been on staff at Shepherd Church in Porter Ranch, CA for more than three decades. During her tenure at Shepherd, she has worn many hats. She coordinated the expansion and redevelopment of the church’s Porter Ranch campus and produced many large-scale events—the largest being the Fourth of July Spectacular, attended by more than 50,000 people.

Paula and her husband of more than 40 years, Paul (yes, Paula and Paul), have a growing family with two sons, and their families whom have blessed her with 2 amazing grandkids.

Who Made This Possible.

KKLA

KKLA

KKLA-FM 99.5 has been serving the Southern California radio audience for more than 25 years – and is one of America’s most listened to Christian Talk Stations. 99.5 KKLA is home to the nation’s top Christian ministries and talk programs. We can’t think of a better soundtrack for your car ride.

KKLA.com

Shepherd Church

Shepherd Church

We invite you to experience our dynamic, Biblically sound, and energetic worship services, enriching childrens and youth programs, and practical teaching from the Bible that will help you face the joys and challenges of life. We also welcome you to partner with us as we serve our community and the world through various local and global projects each year. Join us as we lift up Christ so that the world would believe.

ShepherdChurch.com

Lift Up Jesus

Lift Up Jesus

Lift Up Jesus is the television and radio ministry of Shepherd Church, featuring Pastor Dudley Rutherford. Our purpose is to lift up the name of Jesus across the country and the world through uncompromising biblical teaching. For more info visit LiftUpJesus.com

LiftUpJesus.com