Beauty out of Ashes...the Sam & Ellie Adoption Fund

I was in Grand Rapids, MI this week speaking to the WMOAMA (West Michigan Orphan Adoption Ministry Alliance) – a fantastic group of churches who are actively creating orphan ministry. This alliance in Grand Rapids is aptly led by Jodi Lewis and Joni Johnson, who also lead the Families of Promise orphan ministry at Kentwood Community Church (KCC). 

They asked me to share how Lifesong for Orphans comes alongside the local church to serve and equip them in Church Adoption Funds and Church Sponsor-an-Orphanage initiatives. 

What is inspiring to me is how God brought beauty out of brokenness – the experiences that created the Sam & Ellie Adoption Fund.

In August of 2003, money was given to KCC in loving memory of Ellie Johnson, an infant who was loved and prayed for by many KCC friends and family.  The money was to benefit the children of KCC, but no specific purpose was designated.  Our nursery was already well equipped and the children’s programs well funded.  We didn’t know how God wanted this money to be used.  After much prayer, it seemed that this money would be best used to bring orphans home to their KCC families.

In may of 2005, Sam Johnson, brother to Ellie, died after living only 17 days.  Again, people generously gave to this fund, this time knowing it would be used to help fund adoptions for KCC families.

Well known and respected, Lifesong for Orphans, has partnered with Kentwood Community Church to facilitate and administer the adoption fund

~ Dan and Joni Johnson  (parents of Sam and Ellie)

Imagine...Sam & Ellie...2 children who arrived in Heaven "early"...through that sadness and sorrow...God has brought great joy...2 orphans from Ethiopia who've been adopted into a Christian family through the Sam & Ellie Adoption Fund.  God is good at bringing beauty out of ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)

2 precious orphans from Ethiopia...now adopted as son & daughter

Lifesong and the KCC Families of Promise orphan ministry worked together to create an Adoption Fund that would remove the financial barriers that prevent so many children from being adopted – through Adoption Matching Grants and Interest-Free Loans.

Here are the Top 3 Barriers to churches creating Adoption Funds...and Lifesong's Solutions to overcome the hurdles.

1. Barrier: Church staff “plate is already full” to administer fund           

Solution: Lifesong will manage/facilitate the Fund & carry the administrative load on behalf of church, using mutually agreed upon criteria (reviewing applications, accounting, donor receipts, disbursing funds on behalf of adoption, etc.)

2. Barrier:  Church feels uncomfortable/awkward approving/denying their own families (viewing financials, etc.)

Solution: Lifesong will provide all the screening, reviewing, approving/denying as a ‘partner’ on behalf of the church, using mutually agreed upon criteria for those decisions

3. Barrier:  Adoption Fund is unfamiliar territory

Solution:  Lifesong has passion, and expertise in adoption funding processes, maximize stewardship, use existing grant/loan procedures, IRS approved, ECFA approved (establishes financial integrity & avoids recreating the wheel)

And one of the best aspects….Lifesong manages & administers the Adoption Fund  - at no cost to churches!

Learn How This Works

I Want to See Another Working Example (Irving Bible Church)

What Other Churches Partner with Lifesong for Orphans