After 134 percent growth in 2008, Agape Child & Family Services is looking for even more growth in 2009.

Agape, which provides foster care, adoption, maternity services and family counseling, received its national accreditation from the New York-based Council On Accreditation, which will allow it to expand the services it can offer.

David Jordan, executive director of Agape, says the accreditation isn’t a requirement for Agape, but the organization moved forward with the process to show its level of service.

“We began looking into national certification because we wanted to be premiere,” Jordan said in a statement. “It’s about showing what we do and seeing if it meets top quality.”

Agape, through its multiple community service and adoption programs, served 26,320 people in 2008 compared to 11,238 in 2007.

Jordan said Agape is also looking to focus on specific communities and apartments in need of aid, and expanding an on-site ministry that provides tutoring and mentoring to children at Bent Tree Apartments in Whitehaven.

“We want to have churches re-engaged or increase their work in the community,” Jordan said. “Agape’s primary role will be to provide leadership for this to happen in these communities and to provide child and family services.”

With offices in Memphis and Jackson, Tenn., Agape will serve at least 30,000 children, adults and families this year through its services.