The United Nations reports that the number of orphans around the world waiting for help is more than 140 million.
This global crisis is present even in the United States where over 120,000 children now wait to be adopted from the foster care system.
But God commands every Christian to act and to care for orphans and we would like you to join us this fall as we serve the orphan.
To help raise awareness of today's orphan crisis, we, along with our friends at Hope for Orphans® (a ministry of FamilyLife®), and Show Hope® worked together to produce Answer the Cry, a special video program hosted by bestselling author Francis Chan. Answer the Cry features musical performances by award winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Mark Schultz and highlights our own Jim Daly. Answer the Cry also addresses ways that every Christian can have an impact on the life of an orphan.
This special program is available to you at no cost--visit CryOfTheOrphan.org to learn more about the video and how you can utilize it for an orphan awareness event in your community.
Will you also consider joining us on Orphan Sunday (November 7) to stand for orphans, to defend the fatherless and care for the least of these? More details on how to get involved are at CryOfTheOrphan.org.
The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ yearly Summit has become a national focal point for Christians committed to adoption, foster care and global orphan care. Six years ago, the first Summit drew a few dozen leaders to explore working together on behalf of orphans. Last year’s Summit V in Dallas drew 750, building knowledge, resources and partnerships of orphan advocates in ways that continue to echo nationwide.
The remarkable growth of Summit has both propelled and highlighted the powerful expansion of the Christian orphan movement in recent years. In 2010, Summit VI will head to Minneapolis, MN on April 29-30. It promises to continue elevating both individual advocates and the movement in big ways.
Featured speakers will include national champions of orphan care and adoption, including John Piper, Mary Beth Chapman, Tom Davis, Doug Sauder, Jedd Medefind, and Al Mohler. Compelling voices of the global church will join as well, from Africa and Eastern Europe to the First Lady of Guatemala City, Patricia Arzu. Music will be led by Steven Curtis Chapman and other artists. Meanwhile, more than fifty workshops will deliver practical know-how for effective adoption, foster care and global orphan care ministry.
Even more than ever before, 2010’s Summit VI will be an unparalleled hub for partnership, resources and inspiration. Whether a nonprofit leader, pastor, grassroots advocate or lay ministry entrepreneur, Summit VI is a must for both veterans and newcomers desiring to “care for orphans in their distress.”
The Christian Alliance for Orphans unites orphan-serving organizations and churches to ignite passion and build excellence for Christ-honoring orphan care, foster youth and adoption ministry.
Dr. Moore has authored a beautiful, biblical exposition of physical and spiritual adoption and how they relate to each other. Adopted for Life has become a manifesto for Christians to adopt. This book also trains believers who have adopted to help other families see the need for adoption.
Orphan Sunday, November 8, to Unite Christians Around the World
In recognition of Orphan Sunday on November 8, churches are planning events all across the country. The goal of Orphan Sunday is to raise awareness of the needs of orphans and to mobilize believers to take action on their behalf.
In addition to the numerous events happening in churches, Cry of the Orphan partners Focus on the Family, Show Hope, and Hope for Orphans, a ministry of FamilyLife, will join together in a special event that your church can be a part of. Invite others to gather in your church or home, and watch live as Grammy award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman, Dennis Rainey, President of FamilyLife, and Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family as they pour out their hearts on behalf of the orphan.
This special live broadcast will be made available though a web-based video stream, a satellite feed and also across a number of radio stations throughout the country.
Peter writes in his 1st epistle, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead….” (1 Peter 1:3). So we train ourselves for godliness because we have our HOPE set on the living God, who is unseen. Because what we hope for is unseen, we wait for it with patience. Our HOPE is not a dead hope, but a living hope, because we believe that we will see our Father. This is the foundation of BCLR's Living HOPE.
Living HOPE is an Elder Overseen, Lay-lead ministry. It’s YOUR ministry. It’s OUR ministry. Living Hope is an Orphan ministry that, when it’s fully developed, will be so all-encompassing that everyone in the church will have an opportunity to do something for the orphan.
The “HOPE” in Living HOPE is an acrostic for the 2 components of this ministry:
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