"Yes You Can" Churches...

See how God is using one church to equip and encourage another church. Churches serving other churches - what a great concept, eh?!

Here are two great examples of this at work...

While I was in Michigan last week the folks at Kentwood Community Church shared with me how they started the Grand Rapids alliance of church orphan ministries. They told me their team of folks brainstormed and strategized for a long time, on how to create this local alliance.  The concept felt overwhelming and intimidating to actually get it implemented, so it didn't get off the ground for a while.

Then they heard Michael & Amy Monroe, talk about how simply the DFW Alliance works, and how simply it can get started.  It did NOT have to start out as a huge movement or awareness campaign.  How simple it could be to just get started by meeting together, and go from there.

That simple encouragement and experience was the tipping point for the Michigan folks to form the WMOAMA (West Michigan Orphan Adoption Ministry Alliance).

Sometimes we make things too hard, more difficult than they really need to be.

Another example...A foster family (Matt & Kasidy) attended a Hope for Orphans workshop hosted by the Tapestry Adoption/Foster Care ministry.  They were so moved by this conference, they felt led to start an orphan ministry in their church (Heights Church in Richardson, TX).  Michael & Amy Monroe , Anthony & Kristen Violi, and other folks at Tapestry and in the DFW Alliance followed-up with Matt and Kasidy, and now they are "off and running"!  

This past week they met with the Heights Church leadership, received approval from leadership, and now they are in process of announcing the launch of this ministry in November. Their ministry will likely deal with local foster care initiatives to begin with.

Thank you so much for being willing to help out knowing the two of you [Michael & Amy] are there lessens the anxiety that Kasity and I are feeling starting this out not knowing where God will take it.  - Kasidy

These two examples illustrate the power and benefit of a local alliance of ministries...how important it can be to connect churches who are actively involved - to churches who want to be involved.  Churches sharing and working together for the orphan and vulnerable children. It is simple, yet beautiful. It is catalytic.

The orphans and churches desperately need more "yes you can" church ministries...those that are willing to say God has blessed us and we want to bless you so that you can say "yes" to what God is inviting you to be a part of.  

To all of you local churches and champions who are eager to say "yes", folks we want to serve you...

Tapestry Adoption/Foster Care Ministry/DFW Alliance

How Your Church Can Become Equipped (Focus on the Family)

How Your Church Can Become Equipped (Hope for Orphans)

Orphan Care & Adoption Summit IV (April 30 & May 1, 2009)