John Buultjens shares the powerful story of his journey from enduring childhood in an abusive home, to spending time in juvenile detention and foster care, to meeting and experiencing the love of his foster and adoptive parents, and to later finding purpose and joy in his passion for BMX riding. He also discusses the newly-released film, The Ride, and shares a preview of this inspirational movie based on the events of John’s own life.
“I felt [like I] belonged. I felt like I’ve been chosen . . . I was always abandoned, rejected. This was the first time I felt wanted and chosen, and I was actually part of a family . . . I never envisioned that. I never thought that was possible.” – John Buultjens.
Resources and Guests
The world of foster care is complex, and the voices of former foster youth are essential sources of wisdom as we seek to care for children and families. But former foster youth have more to offer than just their stories. Because of their experiences, they have skills and gifts that can and should shape foster care policies, programs, and ministries.
The Foster Movement Podcast connects you to their expertise. With insights ranging from navigating biological family relationships to seeing beneath the surface of behaviors, the diversity and depth of their perspectives will help you provide more than enough for children and families before, during, and beyond foster care.
John Craig was born March 1972 in a poor part of Glasgow to an abused woman and a violent alcoholic racist father. At the age of 7, John and his younger sister were placed in a children’s home by police and social workers. John continued to experience sexual, physical and emotional abuse for the next three years, until an academic couple, Eldridge and Marianna Buultjens, fostered John and his younger sister. John chose to stay with the Buultjens permanently, and as he began to experience normal family life and unconditional love, his violence and racism abated.
And then in 1982, there was another pivotal moment — his adoptive parents took him to see ET, and his love for BMX riding suddenly began. In 2012, Buultjens moved to southern California to work for Bob Haro, founder of the global Haro BMX freestyle brand and former stunt rider in ET. This job led to celebrity connections — and the movie, The Ride, which was released in November 2020. The rapper and actor Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges plays his adoptive father, with Buultjens himself playing his abusive biological father, who died in 1997, and with whom he never reconciled. The film is not set in Scotland, but has been relocated to California, and by Buultjens’ own admission, his BMX skills have been somewhat exaggerated, although not his incredible journey.
Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide. This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.
Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Through CAFO, more than 225 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches. CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.
Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”
Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.
Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls. He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.
