Stand Sunday...will you stand with us?

Will you Stand with us for Adoption, Foster Care &

Safe Families for Children?

Join us on November 11th & 12th!

Willow Creek Community Church

67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL

Look for us in the lobby after each service (services are at 5:30pm, 9am & 11:15am) to show your support.  You'll have a chance to sign our "Stand" wall 

and receive an "I Stand" sticker.

Questions? Email afs@willowcreek.org

Stand Sunday is an initiative of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and is hosted by the Adoption, Foster Care & Safe Families for Children Ministry at Willow Creek.

The Kindest Thing You Can Do for a Potential Foster Parent

A friend of mine recently told me about his daughter’s 5th birthday. Leading up to the birthday party, the one thing she kept asking for was a pinata.  Being good parents who wanted to give good gifts to their daughter, they went out and found the perfect teddy bear pinata.

On the big day when the teddy bear was revealed, she was thrilled.  They lined up all the kids, and armed with a blindfold and a stick, they began the normal pinata routine.  Each child came forward and took a swing, and everyone was having a great time.

And then it happened.

Read the rest of the story.

Taken from the CAFO blog
October 27, 2017 by Jason Weber

CAFO Webinar: Is Our Church Helping or Hurting?

CAFO Webinar Series Presents........

Is Our Church Helping or Hurting?

Wednesday, August 30 | 1:00pm (CST)

15 Principles to Consider and Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Global Engagement Strategy

Are you a leader in your church’s global missions ministry? Are you mobilizing people in your church to go on short-term trips? Do you maintain relationships with strategic global partner organizations? Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing is the most effective and efficient use of your church’s time, energy, resources and focus?

You’re not alone. Impacting the world in significant, meaningful, Christ-honoring ways has always been an abiding hallmark of the Christian church. Every church leader wants to do it well…but
how do we know if we are?

Join us as we discuss 15 essential principles to consider and pitfalls to avoid in your church’s global engagement strategy. We will construct a general framework essential practices for your leadership to work through based on biblical principles and a strong research and evidence base that affirms the importance of engaging global orphaned and vulnerable children ministry with excellence, integrity and humility.

Presented by: Jason Johnson & Nicole Wilke, CAFO

Register for Free

Plan An Event for Orphan Sunday 2017!

 

www.orphansunday.org

Launching & Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church

Three Principles to Consider; Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Launching and Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church The goal of your ministry is sustainability, not speed. It's not necessarily to do many things as much as it's about doing the right things. The needs of vulnerable children and families are overwhelming and the opportunities to engage are endless. However, as a leader, how do we prioritize the key objectives of our ministry? How do we build in safeguards that keep us focused on first things first? How do we learn the art of saying "no" sometimes and not "yes" all the time?  This presentation will highlight three key principles all leaders must consider, and common pitfalls to avoid, when not only starting a new ministry but also leading and expanding an existing one. It will center around practical tools, real-life models and implementable "next steps" for you and/or your leadership team. Presenters:  Jason Johnson, CAFO's National Director of Church Ministry Initiatives Kari Stewart, Missions and Orphan Ministry Director, Timberline Church & Northern Colorado Christian Alliance for Orphans Wednesday, August 31 2pm (Eastern) Register Here FREE E-BOOK As an added bonus, everyone who registers for this webinar will receive a FREE download of, "Three Principles to Consider and Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Launching and Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church"! This new, engaging e-book will provide you with a tangible resource to continue processing through and applying the ideas that were discussed in this webinar.

Webinar: Caring for Caregivers

Caring for Caregivers: A Critical Component of Improving Childhood Wellbeing

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 2:00- 3:00 pm (Eastern)

Register Now!

Research and common knowledge both suggest that the most influential relationship in a child's life is with his or her caregiver.  A strong caregiver relationship can limit the effects of trauma, increase a child's confidence and independence, and empower a child to explore life from a safe base.  Therefore, caring for caregivers- and coaching them to care for themselves- may be one of the most helpful roles we can play in caring for vulnerable children.  How do we encourage them in self- care?  How do we help them cope with secondary trauma?  How do we support them in the long-term? This presentation opens the conversation around nurturing and caring for caregivers domestically and around the world.  It. will center around practical tools for supporting caregivers to increase their health, and ultimately to optimize the wellbeing of the children they care for. This is the seventh module in the CAFO Knowledge + Practice webinar series,  which translates research into actionable information that OVC care practitioners can implement immediately to elevate the quality of the care they provide.

Presenter:  

Jayne is recognized internationally as a speaker, trainer, and author working with Back2Back Ministries in Ohio.  She is the primary author in their training curriculum, Trauma Competent Caregiving, a nine modules training series.  Jayne is author of 8 books, including her recent publications, "Wounded Children, Healing Homes," and "Parenting in Transracial Adoption."  Jayne and her husband David are parents both by birth and adoption and grandparents of 4. 

The Launch of Orphan Sunday 2016!

One Day. One Voice. One Purpose.

Orphan Sunday will be observed in more than 75 nations this year. How will you be part of the amazing way God is working through the local church to call us to adoption, foster care and orphan care?

2016 ORPHAN SUNDAY VIDEO Watch and Share this year's video, "The Potter's Hand." WATCH

NEW LOOK The Orphan Sunday website has a new look!  Check it out today. VISIT

WHAT'S NEW Watch and read testimonies from people just like you participating in Orphan Sunday.  STORIES

7 Major Trends in the Christian Orphan Care Movement

7 Major Trends  in the Christian Orphan Care Movement 2015 What Christianity Today described as "the burgeoning orphan care movement" is never static.  Even as it grows, the movement continues to develop and mature.  Major trends and changes, both external and internal, demand discernment and creativity.  Join CAFO President Jedd Medefind to explore seven of the most significant trends of 2015, both across the U.S. and globally.  This 30-minute webinar will include: Growth and changes in church adoption and foster engagement The expansion of locally-led movements around the world Major challenges along the road ahead The impact of your investment in CAFO and key 2016 CAFO priorities Presenter:  Jedd Medefind, CAFO President Wednesday, December 16 1pm (Central) Join the Webinar!

From an Adoptee's Heart to Yours Webinar

From an Adoptee's Heart to Yours: We Need One Another Some questions, some responses, some conversation. What does it look like to really listen to the deep heart of an adopted person? How does that relate to the human heart in all of us? Join CAFO President Jedd Medefind and Speaker, Therapist & Adoptee Carissa Woodwyk as they discuss what it means to both listen AND respond to one another, so that we are able to keep moving forward, together.   Whether you are an adoptive parent, adoptee, church or small group leader, or advocate with your own desire to listen better... this is a conversation you won't want to miss!  Presenters:  Jedd Medefind, CAFO President  Carissa Woodwyk, Speaker, Therapist & Adoptee Wednesday, September 30 1pm (Central Time)   Join the Webinar!

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

TOP 10 REASONS TO LOVE CAFO2015! Inspiring Speakers From heartbreak to jubilation, you'll feel it all as you hear some of the world's most compelling speakers and stories! Affordable Two amazing days for far less than most any national conference. Join CAFO as a member, the price is even lower! Unforgettable Musicians Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay & other great artist lead worship, live lunchtime music and much more! CAFO2015 Intensives Want to dive extra deep in your marriage,foster care or orphan care research? Come a day early and get even more. Nuts & Bolts Workshops From connecting with an adopted child at home to global orphan care partnerships, CAFO2015 has 120+ workshops to guide wise action! Woah. oneBIGidea Hear what's on the minds of top thought leaders when they can't sleep at night: the cutting edge ideas and insights that carry huge potential to impact lives. 100+ Exhibitors &  Free Stuff Visit the exhibit booths and win free stuff: iPad, Kindle, books & more. That's right! Experience Join a live radio audience, screen new films, walk the journey of a foster youth, connect with a mentor and much more! Relationship & Connect This road isn't supposed to be walked alone. Find new friends and allies who will go the distance with you! The BIG one Rooting adoption, foster care and global initiatives deep in the heart of God: "We love because He first loved us!" Register Today! Hurry, registration prices increase next week! Forward to a Friend!  |  Connect With Us! Copyright © 2015 Christian Alliance for Orphans. All Rights Reserved.