By Courtney Ingle
“They got in our vehicle with the clothes they had on. That’s it.”
That was how Bobby McGuffie, pastor of Flowood Baptist Church, began his life as a foster dad to Leah and Oakley, two young sisters who would later become his daughters.
McGuffie’s wife, Lindsay, had mentioned adoption early on. “We had trouble getting pregnant with our first daughter, and I was just not into adoption,” Bobby admitted. “I didn’t think I could love a kid that wasn’t mine.”
But God had other plans. A simple invitation from a friend to a steak dinner — hosted by Southern Christian Services — became a turning point. “I’ll go listen to anybody for a good steak,” Bobby laughed. But that night, something shifted. “He’s like, ‘Man, you need to think about this. You need to consider adopting and fostering.’”
A sermon Bobby himself preached on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday sealed it. “The Lord said, ‘OK, you need to do it.’” His wife’s response? “It’s about time.”
Through Southern Christian Services, the McGuffies became certified foster parents. Their early experiences were difficult, caring for a medically fragile boy and a placement that didn’t work out. Bobby recalled telling Lindsay, “If we’re gonna do this, it’s gonna be a boy.” Then came the call about two little girls in the Hattiesburg area — Leah and Oakley.
“One was special needs and had a vision impairment … The other one was developmentally delayed,” he said. “I was like, ‘No, I’m not doing this two girl thing.’” But a visit to meet the girls in Taylorsville changed everything. “We drove back home with our biological daughter, and we’re like, ‘Hey, we can do this.’”
They picked the girls up on a Friday. “Brought them to Sal & Mookie’s … It was a disaster,” he laughed. “Just because they hadn’t been around folks.” Leah, the older of the two, is autistic and legally blind. “We think she can see about 18 inches in front of her.”
Despite the challenges, Flowood Baptist got behind them in a big way. “They were super supportive, seriously. They were welcoming to the girls and supported us every step of the way.” About 80 church members were present in December 2023 when the adoption became official.
Bobby credits his wife, his friend Carrie Wiggins, and the Lord for helping him overcome his doubts. “Now it’s like, man, they’re all ours. All three of ’em are ours. There’s no doubt in my mind I’d fight for the smallest one just like I’d fight for my oldest one.”
And his oldest, Marley Grace? “She’s been awesome,” he said. “They wouldn’t be where they are without her … I (attribute) 80 percent of their growth to their big sister.”
Today, Leah and Oakley are thriving. Leah attends a special needs pre-K program at Oakdale and will transition to Flowood Elementary this fall, where all three McGuffie girls will be students.
The McGuffies are deeply involved at church, especially with the growing special needs ministry. “We’ve got four or five kids in there. It’s growing,” Bobby shared. The church is also launching a respite care night this fall: “One Friday a month, we’ll have it where they can bring special needs kids and adults here to our church,” Bobby said. “It just gives parents a break.”
Bobby’s words now are far from the doubt he once carried. “I was the guy who said, ‘I don’t think I can love a kid (that isn’t mine).’ And now? They’re ours. Through and through.”
Courtney and her husband, Jeremy, live in Brandon and are members at Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl. They have a daughter, Taylor, and a son, Jacob. Courtney is a full-time homemaker and can be reached at courtneyingle89@gmail.com.