Orphan/Adoption Sunday

Sara (adopted from Korea) playing "God is Good" during service

I had the privilege to speak during "Orphan Sunday" at Trinity World Outreach Center in Louisville, KY this weekend and I was inspired by how the attitude and posture of this church is "ready to serve"! 

Here is a glimpse into Orphan Sunday at TWOC:

• dedicated the entire day (2 services) to Orphan Sunday
• Pastor Steve preached on God's heart for orphans & spiritual/physical adoption
• engaged 7-8 local church based orphan initiatives and organizations
• launched a Church Adoption Fund
• displayed the Heart Gallery of waiting children in Foster Care

Have you ever dreamed of an Orphan Sunday at your church?...and wondered how you go about doing that?

Check out this letter Kevin & Susan wrote to Pastor Steve to start the discussion:

Pastor Steve,

...Our house is full, however, our heart still breaks for children who are in need of adoption.  At times we've not known what to do with these feelings, so sadly, many times we would just ignore it. That is no longer acceptable to us. We feel God is leading us to somehow start a ministry to help others adopt, guide them...encourage tthose on the fence to get off the fence, encourage people to give to help others adopt.

We feel this ministry can best be done within the framework of the church.

We would like for you to prayerfully consider the start of an adoption ministry at TWOC, and one Sunday annually to be set aside as "Adoption Sunday"...

[Kevin and Susan] would embark on the responsibility of being the "go to" people in organizing the ministry and involve others in the church...

What struck me was how well this ministry & Orphan Sunday came together, it was approached the right way:

1. Kevin & Susan Mercer felt called to launch the ministry....and ACTED by starting a discussion with their church leadership

2. Wrote a concise, respectful, well-thought out plan and proposed the idea to Pastor Steve in an honoring way that didn't create more work for Pastor

3. Pastor Steve warmly embraced the concept, saw that this ministry is one aspect of "doing ministry outside the four walls of the church", and empowered his congregation

Launch an Orphans Ministry in Your Church

see a vibrant church orphans ministry at work (Tapestry Adoption/Foster Ministry)

Andy

Libi Faith...what a difference in 6 months!

Listen into Brad and Amy's heart as they reflect on the last year and recent adoption of a little girl from China named Libi Faith who has some special needs...

It has been 6 months since Libi came home. How great our rejoicing in the miraculous changes we have seen in this little girl!

Some of you have never seen the video posted below. It was just 14 months ago that this was Libi Faith. To some, it may not be scary...

To Brad and I we were TERRIFIED!

Does anyone ever feel prepared or feel capable to care for a child with special needs? I feel so strongly that when God leads us into something that will be difficult, challenging, beyond what we think we are capable of...we want to run from it.

Oh that we would be people that would run to it! Knowing that our Loving and Great God will always be faithful to provide what we need for the task, and trusting in His goodness. It is in that place of trust and surrender that holds the greatest blessings for our lives! 

~ Brad and Amy

Just think that in this first video Libi was 2 years old, in China, and arrested developmentally...

Enjoy this giggling beauty...she has become quite animated. Thank You Father for what you have done...

(filming done by big brother Joel)

I am praising God that he raised up Brad & Amy and their family to adopt and unconditionally love Libi - she is a life that will be forever changed...

...because they made themselves available to how God wanted to use them.  It hasn't been easy. It won't be easy in the future...but there is great joy in pouring our lives out for another and answering His calling.

Andy

If You Were Mine

What is God's plan for your family?

FamilyLife's Hope for Orphans has an incredible new resource for Churches... check out this video to get a taste...

Hope for Orphan’s If You Were Mine Workshop has come alongside thousands of families nationwide to invite them to investigate adoption from a biblical and practical perspective. 

This video workshop is great for small groups, a one-day event, or for individual families.  It explores the following topics:

• God’s heart for the orphan
• The processes and challenges of adoption
• Agency selection and funding options
• How to prepare yourself, your family, and your home
• What to expect when you child comes home

If You Were Mine will help you and your church encourage families toward wise, loving decisions and healthy expectations about adoption.

There are no orphans of God...

Check out this video created by a 15 year old orphan advocate who put pictures to an Avalon song..

Intriguing lyrics...

There are no strangers...

There are no outcasts...

There are no orphans of God...

Andy

Cry of the Orphan Week | Nov 17-21

   

Look & Listen...

for some awesome orphan, adoption, and foster care related radio broadcasts through Focus on the Family and FamilyLife this week...

check out the Broadcast Schedule