Hope’s Bridge of Middle TN, founded in 2019, began as a referral ministry offering an alternative for families in crisis; providing a safe, temporary placement for children before involuntary state custody became necessary. Founders Will and Amanda Root opened their home as an alternative kinship placement when a family friend, a nurse, reached out on behalf of birth parents who were desperately seeking a safe place for their children to go.
When they welcomed these two little ones, they were immediately confronted with the realities of trauma, drug exposure, and the complexities of child welfare. The oldest child, just 12 months old, had already endured severe abuse and neglect. Walking alongside these children in their healing journey was overwhelming at times, but each small step forward gave hope that restoration was possible. Their experience deepened their understanding of childhood trauma and the urgent need for proactive, compassionate intervention.
While caring for these children, the Roots faced unimaginable personal loss. In the fall of 2017, their son, Colton, passed away after a lifelong battle with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, the most severe form of epilepsy. His passing came just six months after the children entered their care. In the midst of this deep grief, they found solace in God’s faithfulness, trusting that His plan was greater than their pain.
By June of 2018, the Lord led them to expand their ministry into something more structured. What began as a referral-based outreach has since grown into a state-licensed, gospel-centered child placement agency. Hope’s Bridge serves as both an adoption agency and a foster placement provider (including short-term, long-term, and respite care). The mission remains clear: to provide children with a safe, stable home while supporting families in crisis, with the ultimate goal of reunification whenever possible.
From the start, the Roots have remained committed to their original calling: to bring orphan care back to God’s design — a mission that begins with the Church stepping in as the hands and feet of Christ to serve vulnerable children and families. Hope’s Bridge does not operate in opposition to DCS but rather serves as a preventive and supportive alternative, offering birth families a path forward before state custody becomes necessary.
While adoptions do occur through Hope’s Bridge, the primary focus is always reunification. Bridge Families step into the gap with open hearts, knowing that adoption is only pursued if reunification is not possible. This commitment is rooted in a deep belief in the value of the family unit as designed by God and the doctrinal truth that all people are made in the Imago Dei – the very image of God.
