.

“When we first brought in kids, it was spoken out of pain,” Mrs. Martin said. “We didn’t know it was something to involve others in. We also wanted to make sure that they didn’t want them just because they were cute kids. They had significant baggage.”

The couple began hosting trainings at the church, and eventually, some families stepped up to foster and adopt, with several taking in sets of siblings.

In time, the 700-member community of Possum Trot had a movement on its hands, grounded in a Christian church of about 200 faithful.

“We didn’t take the easy kids, but the ones others had given up on,” Mrs. Martin said. She explained that those who brought children into their homes had to have a “stick-and-stay mentality” about their decision.

When things got difficult due to a foster parent’s death or another feeling overwhelmed, church members would come to one another’s aid to take in a child or offer relief. Overall, the community thrived.

In about 10 years, two dozen Bennett Chapel church community families had adopted 77 children.

Although nothing will fully erase the pain of their past, today, many of those children are leading full lives — graduating from university, marrying, and working full-time jobs.

“Not one of them went back to foster care,” Mrs. Martin said proudly. “From the beginning, I was there to be their mother. We were told they were fire starters. We were told they will reject you and destroy your home. But I knew from the beginning when the Lord spoke, this is what being a parent is about — not just to be called … mother and father, but to show unconditional love.”

Today, the Martins advocate for adoption across the country. They were also heavily involved in the creation of the new Angel Studios film highlighting their unique story. Some of the worship scenes in “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” include real-life Bennet Chapel church members.

Mrs. Martin’s prayer is that those who watch their story will be moved to open their hearts and homes to children in the foster care system.

“I believe it’s going to spread like wildflowers,” she said.

The film’s producers and writers, Joshua and Rebekah Weigel, hope viewers will be impressed by the power of community.

“I’ve been very involved in the fostering and adoption space, and we had all the books, all the training, but we didn’t have the community,” Mrs. Weigel told Faithfully Magazine. “Family is what heals these kids.”

As FM previously reported, “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot’ was executive produced by “Black Panther” star Letitia Wright, Nika King, and Joe Knitting. King (“Euphoria,” “Greenleaf”) also portrays Donna Martin, while Demetrius Grosse (“Rampage,” “Justified”) plays Bishop Martin. Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost,” “The Expanse”), Diaana Babnicova, and Carlos Aviles are also featured in the film.

“Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” will be in theaters nationwide starting July 4.

Editor’s note: The author of this article is employed by the National Council For Adoption. However, the NCFA is not directly connected to or in a relationship with individuals involved in “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.” The non-profit organization was introduced to the producers and the Martins through partners at the Christian Alliance for Orphans, which knows the Martins personally and supports the film.