You are God's Plan for the Orphan
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.
Information provided by Focus on the Family.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Summit VI Buzz Hits the Streets
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.
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.
Invitation to Summit VI from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
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.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Connection Between Abortion and Adoption
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.
Courtesy of Desiring God Ministries.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Cry of the Orphan
Orphan Sunday, November 8, to Unite Christians Around the WorldIn 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.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A Love for Baby Landry
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
I know I have talked on this blog about adoption in the past. Adoption is a beautiful way to look at our relationship with the Father. If we are one of His children we have been adopted into His family through the work of Christ on the cross. But I want to turn to a real adoption story that took place not too long ago with my brother-in-law and sister. They had the privilege to adopt a beautiful baby girl named Landry. Here is a short glimpse of the ups and downs of adoption from a human standpoint but also some assuring truth about our sovereign God.
"I'm Krista...my husband Jason and I have 4 children. We started our adoption process last October. For us, just starting the process was a huge leap of faith. As we looked into adoption and realized the cost, we were discouraged. Then as we began to talk with many of our friends they encouraged us to trust that the Lord would provide the money.
We finished our paperwork and started our interview process in mid-December (2008). A lady began to share with me that her aunt and uncle were raising their Great Grandchild and that they knew the best thing for her was to put her up for adoption. She continued to share that the Lord had put our family on her heart several months earlier. I usually talk these kinds of things over with the hubby, but this time I said 'yes' without running it by him!!
Just ten days later we received a call that the Great Grandparents wanted to meet us and that the mom had signed the papers necessary to move forward with the adoption...well two days later we met Landry and her Great Grandparents. As I looked at them and saw how deeply they loved her I was heartbroken. I wanted her for my own, but I honestly prayed 'Lord, why could they not be 10 years younger.' After they left we knew we had 8 days left to sit and wait. In Arkansas a birth mother has 10 days to change her mind. So...that's what we did, waited.
Friday, January 30th was day 10. We woke up that morning and knew we made it. We were so excited!! The Lord had been extremely gracious to us for those 10 days. They honestly went by very quickly. The kids were doing school and I was making lunch and I turned around to see my husband standing in my kitchen. I asked him what was wrong and he just shook his head. Landry's mom had changed her mind, and the adoption was off! As I began to process I quickly began to think about the Sovereignty of God. I knew and believed that God had a purpose and a plan. I won't say that we didn't shed any tears, because we did, but I will say that we were at peace because we knew that God was in control. '
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be His name, He gives and takes away, blessed be His name.'I don't think Jason or I slept much that night, but I knew that I needed to be ready for the next day. Allissa [my daughter] was playing and I was were coach. So, I had ten, 10 year olds counting on me. After getting to the gym Jason decided to call and check on the Great Grandparents. They were extremely upset and Jason wanted to check and see how they were holding up. As I was sitting there watching some of the other girls play, Jason walked back into the gym and sat down next to me. He said her mom had changed her mind again and wanted us to have her! Well, I could no longer hold in any of my emotions. I just sat there and cried. What was the Lord doing? What was He trying to teach me? What was He trying to teach our family?
From that day until March 6th, when Landry arrived in our home, all we could do is trust that the Lord would sustain us. We knew that the Bible said, 'He would never leave us or forsake us', and for those 5 weeks all we could do was rest in that."
For the complete story click here.
Grace upon grace,
JRL (Landry's uncle)
I know I have talked on this blog about adoption in the past. Adoption is a beautiful way to look at our relationship with the Father. If we are one of His children we have been adopted into His family through the work of Christ on the cross. But I want to turn to a real adoption story that took place not too long ago with my brother-in-law and sister. They had the privilege to adopt a beautiful baby girl named Landry. Here is a short glimpse of the ups and downs of adoption from a human standpoint but also some assuring truth about our sovereign God.
"I'm Krista...my husband Jason and I have 4 children. We started our adoption process last October. For us, just starting the process was a huge leap of faith. As we looked into adoption and realized the cost, we were discouraged. Then as we began to talk with many of our friends they encouraged us to trust that the Lord would provide the money.
We finished our paperwork and started our interview process in mid-December (2008). A lady began to share with me that her aunt and uncle were raising their Great Grandchild and that they knew the best thing for her was to put her up for adoption. She continued to share that the Lord had put our family on her heart several months earlier. I usually talk these kinds of things over with the hubby, but this time I said 'yes' without running it by him!!
Just ten days later we received a call that the Great Grandparents wanted to meet us and that the mom had signed the papers necessary to move forward with the adoption...well two days later we met Landry and her Great Grandparents. As I looked at them and saw how deeply they loved her I was heartbroken. I wanted her for my own, but I honestly prayed 'Lord, why could they not be 10 years younger.' After they left we knew we had 8 days left to sit and wait. In Arkansas a birth mother has 10 days to change her mind. So...that's what we did, waited.
Friday, January 30th was day 10. We woke up that morning and knew we made it. We were so excited!! The Lord had been extremely gracious to us for those 10 days. They honestly went by very quickly. The kids were doing school and I was making lunch and I turned around to see my husband standing in my kitchen. I asked him what was wrong and he just shook his head. Landry's mom had changed her mind, and the adoption was off! As I began to process I quickly began to think about the Sovereignty of God. I knew and believed that God had a purpose and a plan. I won't say that we didn't shed any tears, because we did, but I will say that we were at peace because we knew that God was in control. '
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be His name, He gives and takes away, blessed be His name.'I don't think Jason or I slept much that night, but I knew that I needed to be ready for the next day. Allissa [my daughter] was playing and I was were coach. So, I had ten, 10 year olds counting on me. After getting to the gym Jason decided to call and check on the Great Grandparents. They were extremely upset and Jason wanted to check and see how they were holding up. As I was sitting there watching some of the other girls play, Jason walked back into the gym and sat down next to me. He said her mom had changed her mind again and wanted us to have her! Well, I could no longer hold in any of my emotions. I just sat there and cried. What was the Lord doing? What was He trying to teach me? What was He trying to teach our family?
From that day until March 6th, when Landry arrived in our home, all we could do is trust that the Lord would sustain us. We knew that the Bible said, 'He would never leave us or forsake us', and for those 5 weeks all we could do was rest in that."
For the complete story click here.
Grace upon grace,
JRL (Landry's uncle)
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