"Without A Net"- Reaching Orphans in Philippines

Without a Net 

Reaching Orphans in Philippines

 Orphans in the beautiful island nation of Philippines have little safety net, but God is doing great things through the local church.  Meet a primitive tribe caring for widows and orphans where the local pastor is a born-again witch doctor!  See how Christians are stepping out in faith to adopt and foster, soaring with joy as they build families.  This year’s Christian Alliance for Orphans film is packed with action and you don’t want to miss it!  

Download Video

Help Fuel Effective Orphan Care

God's people are R I S I N G 

to be family to the orphan.

(Viewing via e-mail? Click HERE to view on our blog)

CAFO 2014 Review from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

 

100% of donations go directly to fuel effective orphan care.     

All overhead is covered by sponsors, so your gifts go straight to impact: Orphan Sunday, Global Movements, Summit, Applied Research & Best Practice, National Foster Care Initiative and more. 

Just as important, in-kind donations and hundreds of dedicated volunteers in every state and 

around the world give even small gifts huge effects!

Webinar: Successful Life Transitions for Aging-Out Orphans

 Alliance Webinar Series

 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

  

You're Invited...   

Successful Life Transitions for Aging-Out Orphans

 

  

Date:  Tuesday, June 25, 2013     Time:  1:00 PM Central Time

As older orphans age out of care, international trends are heartbreaking: homelessness, substance abuse, prostitution, crime and incarceration await many who lack adequate support networks.  The Church is called to step into this gap, aiding orphans into adulthood through holistic life transition support.

This Webinar will examine information and models useful to Christian leaders, churches and para-church organizations as they work to create healthy life transition for aging-out orphans.  W. Scott Brown, Coordinator of the new CAFO “Aging Out Initiative,” will highlight case studies from the new site www.cafo.org/aging-out, discuss trends and best practices, and share how this new initiative can help you both access and share learning on Aging Out programs.

In addition to spotlighting key information and models, this webinar is also intended to seek your input and ideas as we built a clearinghouse of best practices for aging-out orphans in these five areas:  Life Skills Training, Spiritual Care and Mentoring, Transitional Housing, Vocational Training/Entrepreneurship/Job Placement and Church and Community Support Networks.

W. Scott Brown is the coordinator of the Aging-Out Initiative for Christian Alliance for Orphans. He is vice president of communications and lifelong learning for Christian Leadership Alliance. Scott also leads the Orphan Care Ministry for Cherrydale Baptist Church in Arlington, Va. 

    

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care.

Webinar: Making the Best Use of Social Media for Good

Alliance Webinar Series

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

   

You're Invited...

Making the Best Use of Social Media for Good

 

 Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Time: 1:00 PM Central

 

In today’s world some of the greatest impact in orphan advocacy is coming from online tools. How can you best use your voice for good while harnessing the technology at your fingertips? How can you get your message out effectively with both confidence and wisdom?

Join Shaun Groves, Coordinator of Blog Ministries for Compassion International, as he explores how to use your online voice for good in a way that will magnify your message and engage your audience.

Presenters: Shaun Groves, Coordinator of Blog Marketing, Compassion International

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

FamilyLife Broadcast Friday on Summit IX and the Christian Orphan Care Movement!

 

The FamilyLife Today radio broadcast tomorrow (April 19) will focus on Summit IX and the Christian orphan care movement. Dennis Rainey, Bob Lepine and Jedd Medefind dig into the history of Christian care for orphans and its vibrant expression today.

You can catch it on your local Christian radio station’s broadcast or on the Family Life Today site HERE.  Locally in the Chicago area, tune in to WMBI 90.1 FM at 11:00a.m.

See you at the Summit!

Webinar: Parenting Children with Drug Related Birth Defects

 

Alliance Webinar Series

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

 

You're Invited...

FAS and NAS: Alcohol and

Drug Related Birth Defects

 This webinar will explain FASD and NAS and offer an introductory view of their implications for the life of a family. It will discuss symptoms, assessments, the school system, daily life, and how they effect the brain. This will be a great session for those who have children affected or those that are considering adopting a child with alcohol or drug related effects. It will address many of the fears and give a real life picture of what raising children with FAS and NAS really is like. Join this session to better equip yourself to love and serve these children and families affected by FAS/NAS in your own communities and congregations.

The webinar will be led by Amanda Preston--adoptive and foster mom to 6 (several of whom are affected with FAS) and night student working towards a B.S. in Social Work.

 

 

Presenter: Amanda Preston, Speaker and Adoptive/Foster Mom

NOTE NEW DATE & TIME

Date: TUESDAY, October 30, 2012 Time: 1:00 PM Eastern

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Orphan Sunday Event Idea

Experiences impact us more deeply than words. On Orphan Sunday, share a meal eaten by orphans around the world. Gather with family, small group or church for the meal, discussion and prayer. When you request The Orphan’s Table, they will ship you: An easy-to-cook meal package and an Orphan Sunday Prayer & Discussion Guide

For more information visit: orphansunday.org | www.cafo.org

Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar

 

 

Alliance Webinar Series

 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

 

You're Invited...

Wrapping Around Families: Providing Help and Hope to Those Called to Foster or Adopt

Not every family is called to foster or adopt, but we can all be a blessing to the foster and adoptive families in our community, providing much needed (and often lacking) support.

The webinar will explore some crucial ways to help families and some tools for doing it well.

Presenter: Kelly Rosati, Focus on the Family

Katie Overstreet, Focus on the Family

Gail Wahl, Woodmen Valley Chapel

 

Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Time:  1:00 PM Central

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Support the Christian Alliance for Orphans and recieve a free autographed book

 

 

 

 

From now until Sept. 7, any individual donating $25 or more to CAFO will receive a free copy of the new book,

UPENDED: How Following Jesus Remakes Your Words and World,

signed for you by Alliance President Jedd Medefind.

Donate Here to support the Christian Alliance for Orphans today!

See this month's Patheos feature on UPENDED, titled "How Jesus Upends Everything."

The book is, like following Jesus, both deep and joyful.

Russell D. Moore

Dean, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

If you are in need of a fresh look at Jesus Christ and what He came to do in and through your life, then you’ve found it.

Dr. Dennis Rainey

President, Familylife

Upended… shows how an authentic, reflective, engaged faith -- the revolutionary faith taught by Jesus -- can result in a life of meaning, purpose, compassion and significance.

Michael Gerson

Columnist for Washington Post

Former Chief Speechwriter for President George W. Bush

With grace and realism, UPENDED helps us recognize how small choices can have impact in the midst of ordinary moments.

Kristen Howerton

Rage Against the Minivan

… filled with simple truths that compel us to follow Jesus into the places where the simplicity of the gospel transforms everything around us.

Tom Davis

President, Children's HopeChest and Author of Red Letters

UPENDED will help any leader's message penetrate the noise.

Gabe Lyons

Author of The Next Christians

Founder of Q Ideas

As an apprentice to Jesus, I need this book. So do you.

Gideon Strauss

Executive Director, Max De Pree Center for Leadership

I highly recommend this book to anyone who sincerely desires to become an apprentice of Jesus Christ … better equipped to place their faith into tangible action in a hurting world.

Wess Stafford

President, Compassion International

UPENDED crackles with insight and energy, offering a masterful exploration of the unparalleled ways of the Master—and what it looks like to learn as his apprentice.

Bob Buford

Founder of the Leadership Network and Author of Halftime

Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar: Orphan Sunday

Alliance Webinar Series

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

You're Invited...

Orphan Sunday: Seize the Opportunity

Whether your church is a house church, mega-church or somewhere in-between, Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to help the community see God’s heart for the fatherless and how individuals can respond. This 30-minute webinar will provide practical ideas to help you to make the most of Orphan Sunday to inspire and engage others. Learn how to create a simple activity, event or themed meal for your church, family or small group. Discover countless ready-to-go resources designed to save you time while strengthening your services, meetings, and events. Find partner organizations ready to assist you in turning passion into action. Join churches around the world participating in Orphan Sunday. Use Orphan Sunday to spark that next step in your family or church that will bear fruit for years to come.

Presenter: Jedd Medefind, Christian Alliance for Orphans

Jodi Jackson Tucker, International Orphan Sunday Coordinator

Lavonne Dideon, National Orphan Sunday Coordinator

Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Time:  1:00 PM Central

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

The Real Issue with Pat Robertson's Adoption Comments

August 18th, 2012
by Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans:


Electric responses—from sorrow to anger—are lighting up blogosphere in response to comments by Pat Robertson on The 700 Club about the risk that adopted kids could turn out “weird” due to the prior abuse, medical issues and other baggage they might carry.

I can’t help feeling that most all of the reactions I’ve seen, from dismay to indignation, are justified. But it also strikes me that the primary problem with what Robertson said lies deeper. The main issue isn’t just another foot-in-my-mouth statement that reveals ignorance or insensitivity. We all can certainly fall prey to saying dumb and hurtful things. Nor is it that Robertson seems hyper-attuned to potential challenges of adoption. Truth be told, that’s a theme adoption advocates would do well to do a better job emphasizing also.

To read the entire story, click here: http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/2012/08/18/the-real-issue-with-pat-robertsons-adoption-comments/

Orphan Sunday 2012

CONTACT:  Ashley Otani                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

otani@cafo.org                                                                                                           

July 14, 2012

ORPHAN SUNDAY: A GLOBAL CATALYST FOR ADOPTION & ORPHAN CARE

A simple vision born in an Africa church now echoes worldwide

WASHINGTON, DC — Thousands of churches across the U.S. and around the globe will celebrate Orphan Sunday this November 4, calling Christians to reflect God’s heart for orphans through adoption, foster care and global initiatives.   It is yet one more vivid example—as well as a powerful catalyst—of the rising Christian engagement in a Gospel-inspired vision for living out the “pure and faultless religion” described in James 1:27.

Following an example first set by Zambian churches, hundreds of thousands of American Christians have participated in local Orphan Sunday events each year since 2009.  Orphan Sunday has become a major factor driving what Christianity Today labeled the “burgeoning orphan care movement.”  According to ECFA’s most recent “State of Giving Report,” three of the top four categories for increased giving over the past two years have been directly related to adoption and/or orphan care.

On Orphan Sunday, churches and families spotlight God’s deep love for orphans and how ordinary people can make that love tangible, from adoption, foster care and mentoring to global ministry.  Locally-organized events range from sermons on how adoption reflects the Gospel to orphan care fundraisers, foster family recruitment, community-wide rallies, concerts and prayer gatherings. 

Last year, Orphan Sunday began to echo back across the seas as well, with celebrations in 22 countries as diverse as Russia, the Philippines, Guatemala and Kenya.  More than 1,000 churches participated in Ukraine alone.  This year, Orphan Sunday websites appear in French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian.

Although each Orphan Sunday event is created locally, a coalition of more than 120 organizations have joined forces through the Christian Alliance for Orphans to champion the campaign—from Focus on the Family and Bethany Christian Services, to Family Life’s Hope for Orphans, Buckner International and Show Hope. 

The website www.orphansunday.org serves as a hub for the campaign, offering event ideas, downloadable posters, bulletin inserts, videos and other free resources that can be used to hold local events.  Families and churches can also participate in “The Orphan’s Table” by ordering a simple orphan meal package and discussion guide. 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans will also be releasing a compelling new video the week before Orphan Sunday, enabling local event organizers to use the film as part of 2012 events in churches and homes.  “Zambia's Gift to the World: Celebrating God’s Heart for the Fatherless at the Birthplace of Orphan Sunday” will feature captivating images, interviews and music from Christians in Zambia, where the first Orphan Sunday was celebrated in 2002.  It will also include glimpses of how Orphan Sunday has echoed out from Africa to inspire Christians around the globe to reflect God’s heart for the orphan.

Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, expressed, “When Christians grasp God’s heart for the orphan, we see more fully His heart for each of us as well.  We don’t foster or adopt or mentor or give financially out of guilt or duty.  Christian care for the orphan is just a small reflection of the way God first loved us—pursuing and rescuing us when we were destitute and alone.”

More than 400,000 children live in the foster system in the U.S. today, with nearly 110,000 waiting to be adopted.  Globally, an estimated 17.8 million children have lost both parents, and many times that number live with a single surviving parent, most often their widowed mother.  The Orphan Sunday campaign works towards a day when local Christians in every nation will be known as the primary answer to the needs of orphans in their midst.

###

Understanding Orphan Statistics

Please take a few moments to read this important paper written by the leadership of Christian Alliance for Orphans.http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/cafo-white-paper/

Christian Alliance for Orphans’ White Paper

ON UNDERSTANDING ORPHAN STATISTICS

If we are to communicate with humility, credibility, and integrity, Christian orphan advocates must both accurately understand and carefully present orphan-related statistics.  Failure to do so undermines the strength of our advocacy and can misguide the actions that organizations, churches and individuals take on behalf of orphans.   Meanwhile, an accurate grasp and communication of the true nature of the need provides a strong foundation for an effective, well-focused response.  To read the full paper, click here: http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/cafo-white-paper/

Webinar: The Unadoptable Orphan

Alliance Webinar Series

  

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

  

  

You're Invited...   

The Unadoptable Orphan 201: Octopi Care

Millions of children globally live without the love and nurture of parents. Yet adoption, whether local or international, is currently available to only a fraction of these children. Standing for these children includes efforts to remove barriers to adoption and to grow a culture of adoption in the church worldwide. Yet Christians also can play a vital role today in the lives of children for whom adoption is not currently an option. Approaching this vast and complex need requires more than a single approach. Rather, we must begin to think like an octopus with many arms reaching out in a broad variety of ways, custom designed for each culture and crisis.

At Summit VIII, Kimberly L. Smith led “The UNadoptABLE Orphan 101” workshop. This well-received workshop left many hungry for further steps on how to care for orphans for whom adoption is not currently possible. This webinar will summarize the first workshop and go deeper into the question, “What does the ‘true religion’ of James 1:27 look like when adoption is not an option?” This webinar will be an excellent resource for both churches and individuals seeking to discover their unique “arm” in Octopi Care for some of the world’s most at-risk orphans.

 

 

 

Presenter:  Kimberly Smith, Make Way Partners

                  Pastor Kim Ryan, North County Christ the King Church

Date:  Wednesday, July 25, 2012             Time:  2:00 PM Eastern

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care.  Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter.  This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Webinar: Engaging Students in the Cause of the Fatherless

 

Alliance Webinar Series

  

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

  

  

You're Invited...   

Engaging Students in the

Cause of the Fatherless 

Whether you're a student, a youth pastor, or just want to help wake a passion for orphans in young people, this webinar is for you!  The idea of Heartwork first sprung up in a Colorado youth group, and it's now helping students and youth groups across the country care for orphans around the globe.  But this vision is not only about the needs of orphans.  It's also about rescuing American youth from self-absorbed lives and helping us all grasp God's great love for orphans…and for each of us as well! 

 

 

 

Presenter:  Jeremiah Parks, Heartwork

                  Craig Zuithoff, Third Church

Date:  Wednesday, May 30, 2012             Time:  1:00 PM Central 

 

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care.  Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter.  This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

Leadership Team

Members of the Vulnerable Children's Ministry Leadership Team were privileged to attend the 2012 Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit earlier this month.  It was a rich time of learning, networking and being inspired by God. Thank you for praying for us while we were there.   I wish each and every one of you reading this blog could have been there!  You may want to make plans for next year's Summit which will be held May 1-2, 2013 in Nashville, TN. 

Steven Curtis Chapman Concert on the last evening.

I wanted to let you know that each and every plenary session and breakout session from this year's Summit are now available for purchase.  Main sessions are available as a download or on d.v.d. and breakout sessions are available as a download or a c.d.  Below is the link to purchase the sessions.  I encourage you to check out the titles and purchase the ones that would be helpful for your ministry.
http://www.conventionmedia.net/for20coreplc.html

The Summit was hosted at the beautiful campus of Saddleback Church.

Five of us from the Leadership Team for the Vulnerable Children's Ministry at Willow Creek will be attending the Chrisitan Alliance for Orphans Summit in So. California.   Please pray for us as we seek God's guidence for our ministry.  Pray also that our hearts would be drawn closer to God himself, and our spirits and passions would be renewed so that we can serve the fatherless with excellence.  Below are additional prayer requests for Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Please pray...

• That God would prepare each person coming both to give and to receive much at Summit.
• That the countless details and the myriad volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees would all come together smoothly.
• That seeds sown and cultivated at Summit would bear much good fruit—for the fatherless, the Church and God’s glory for decades to come.

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VIII

I have attended the past three CAFO Summits.  It is THE conference to attend if you are involved in ministry for adoption, foster care, Safe Families, orphan care, child trafficking or vulnerable children.  It is a wonderful place to meet people from around the country who are striving to serve God through serving the fatherless.  Each year I look forward to hearing God's voice at this Summit.  He seems to speak loud and clear as he empowers, inspires and leads me in the direction of our ministry at Willow Creek.  This conference is definitely a shot in the arm that I need each year.  It reminds me to .." not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9)

If you're able, I encourage you to attend this conference or help sponsor a pastor or ministry leader from your church to attend. 

The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ annual Summit has become the national hub for what Christianity Today recently called, “the burgeoning Christian orphan care movement.” Summit VIII on May 3-4, 2012 at Saddleback Church in Southern California is expected to draw 1,800 to 2,000 pastors, grassroots advocates, organizational leaders and church ministry heads.

Alongside more than eighty workshops, the unforgettable plenary sessions will include Francis Chan, Rick and Kay Warren, Crawford Lorritts, Dennis Rainey, Steven Curtis Chapman, and other global leaders.

Summit inspires, equips and connects for adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry.  For more information and to register for the Summit, visit http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/. 

Webinar on Foster Care Ministry

 

 

Foster Care Ministry - 25 Little Things That Make a Big Difference

It isn't always easy to know how best to encourage and aid young people in foster care.  Here's your chance to hear honest reflections and advice from those who know intimately the challenges of life in foster care…and what a big difference small acts of love can make.  

Join the Alliance in welcoming several Foster Youth Interns (FYIs) from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI).  They'll share from personal experience as alumni of the U.S. foster care system their ideas about how churches and individuals can love, support and provide guidance for foster youth.

 

 

 

Presenters:  Kathleen Strottman, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

                    Richard Terrell, Foster Youth Intern, CCAI

                    Mason McFalls, Foster Youth Intern, CCAI

                    Brittany Scott, Foster Youth Intern, CCAI

                       

Date:  Tuesday, January 31, 2012             Time:  1:00 PM Central 

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care.  Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter.  This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.

 

http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/ 

 

 

Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar

 

Alliance Webinar Series

  

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

  

You're Invited...   

Grown Up Orphans - Self Sufficiency in International Settings

Although the best place for any child is a loving home, sometimes this is not an option. In such cases, a well-designed continuum of care can effectively minister to the diverse needs of a broad range of children.  Learn about both broad principles and specific practices for supporting all levels of care through partnerships, with a special focus on transitional care approach.  

This webinar is designed for individuals who are interested in orphan ministry or who are already involved. Whether it be church leaders, lay people, organization representatives, we can all learn from each other as we discuss the importance of an integrated approach to caring for the fatherless.

Register Here:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/251906384

 

 

Presenters:     John Lookabuagh, Valley Ranch Baptist Church

                        Jeff Jones, Buckner International  

Date:  Wednesday, December 14, 2011             Time:  1:00 PM Central 

 

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care.  Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter.  This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective.