Creating Adoption & Orphan Care

Culture in Your ChurchAndy Lehman

Why is this important?...

The “Wyatt’s” of the world are why it’s important!…

Wyatt – orphaned in Lithuania Born with:

Cleft lip & palate

1 finger on each hand

2 toes on each foot

Severe hearing loss

Congenital heart defect

Wyatt @ orphanage

Wyatt – in CA hospital after adoption

rock climbing?

A Father to the fatherless…

God truly…

“sets the lonely into families….”

- Psalm 68:5,6

Naomi ~ before & after adoption…

Ways to Care

Adoption Grants/Loans & Church Adoption Funds

Adoption Funding Solution Tools

1. Direct Grants

2. Matching Grants

3. Interest-Free Loans

Travor’s story

How does an “Adoption Fund” fit with your church mission/vision? Evangelize the lost

Adoption is evangelism at its core...

Edify the saved Put faith in action; develop relationships/support

Minister to those in need Millions of orphans trapped b/c of financial barrier

Be a Conscience in the community As Church is involved, the community will see Jesus is alive and

working in His people (Matt 5:16)

Top 3 common ‘barriers’ & their solutions… Barrier: Church staff “plate is already full” to administer fund

Solution: Alliance partners can 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.)

Barrier: Church feels uncomfortable/awkward approving/denying their own families (viewing financials, etc.) Solution: Alliance partners can provide all the screening, reviewing,

approving/denying as a ‘partner’ on behalf of the church, using mutually agreed upon criteria for those decisions

Barrier: Adoption Fund is unfamiliar territory Solution: Alliance partners have 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)

Administration of Adoption Funds for Church at no cost to Church or Fund!

Register 4 Church Fund Webinar –held monthly @ www.lifesongfororphans.org

Iriving Bible Church (video)

http://vimeo.com/4140197

Adoption Funding Tool

Help a WIDOW & ORPHAN!

Innovative tool to remove financial barrier A team fixes up a widow’s home Renovation provided for free to widow (donated labor & construction

materials) Sponsorship donations help fund adoption expenses

How does this help fund adoptions? 100% of donated sponsorships are used for adoption expenses Disbursed as Adoption Grant & Adoption Loan (thru Lifesong)

Video

http://vimeo.com/6483710

Adoption & Foster Care overview Hosts FosterCare & FosterAdoption training

@ church (2x/yr) –helps families in licensing Launched an Adoption Fund

17 children helped funded to be adopted $15,000 in fund helped mobilize $125k in adoption

funding Hold annual Adoption/Foster Conf – 500 people Small Groups

Waiting families – “wait well” with friends Mom’s Night Out – for adoptive/foster moms Foster Care small group Adult Adoptee birthmother support group

Adoption & Foster Care overview

Host “Heart Gallery” of waiting children

Provides “Respite Care/Relief Care” network

Pre & Post-Adoption Care resources www.empoweredtoconnect.org Dr. Karyn Purvis (author, the Connected Child)

www.tapestry.irvingbible.org

Host a “Heart Gallery”…

What can happen in just 1 year?

L’ville area - Church Adoption Funds

Beauty out of Ashes…

http://vimeo.com/8036445

Life without Regrets – David Melber

1st United Church – Gridley, IL

mission trip letter-writing rel’shp engage Sunday school

kids $40 allowance, $20k+ Transport van,

desks/chairs, feeding program, curriculum, etc.

What can an 11 yr old kid do?

www.kidscaring4kids.org

Just a little makes a difference!...

www.gobena.org Create shop @

your church Serve Gobena –

coffee for a cause

Naturally conducive to talk orphans

Think Missionally. Act Intentionally.

www.orphansunday.org

"Answer the Cry" is a special video program you can use to build an impacting Orphan Sunday event in your church, home or community.

This 60-minute program highlights ways every Christian can make a lasting difference for an orphan. Answer the Cry is hosted by bestselling author Francis Chan and features music performances by award-winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Mark Schultz.

www.christianalliancefororphans.org Orphan Summit - Louisville, KY (May 12-13)

10 Ways to Care for Orphans…

www.hopefororphans.org

What can ONE person really do?

If you think you are too small to make a difference, you’ve never spent the night with a mosquito

Kenyan proverb

Don’t fail to do something, just because you can’t do everything

Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church1. Approach key leader with your vision

2. Identify passionate families to join you & dream together

3. Determine your channels (focus)

4. Plan strategies

5. Establish leadership structure & proposal

6. Launch ministry

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church…Approach key leader with your vision

Identify the right leader

Cast Vision of ministry videos, Pwrpt, Field of Fatherless, the One Factor might not “get it”, but don’t let it discourage you talk with other church ministry leaders who DO get it “If it ain’t no, then go…”

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church… Identify passionate families to join you!...

No “lone-rangers” to be sustainable Likely people you know who would love to give time & talents

Adoptive parents, foster parents, adult adoptees, social workers, counselors, teachers, missions ministry people, etc.

Gather: Pray through specific scripture & specific kids by name

Brainstorm: 140+ million orphans: what has to happen to ensure all know

Jesus? If you had $1,000,000 – what would you do with it? What

about $1,000? #1 priority?

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church…Determine channels of ministry

Orphan Care Adoption (domestic & international) Foster Care

Considerations: a largely unmet need to date? “adoption” naming– false perception existing church/ministries locally where synergy?

Current mission trips, rel’shp w/ crisis pregnancy ctr, missionaries you know, child welfare workers, etc.

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church…Plan Strategies

Begin with end in mind Where would we like to be in 3 yrs from now?

Don’t stop praying

For Orphan Care, Foster Care, Adoption: Physical needs? Financial Assistance? Education, Awareness, Recruitment? Support (post-adoption, placement, etc)?

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church…Passion & discouragement

Respond in God-honoring ways when your passion may not be made a priority

Be thankful for small steps, and careful not to complain “don’t get drunk on whine”

If your leadership even gives slightest opportunity, take it joyfully and be a faithful steward of that opportunity

** One of most vibrant ministries in country operated first 2 years withouth “pulpit time” and no budget

Steps to Launch Orphan Ministry @ Your Church…LAUNCH!....

Church Worship Service Sanctity of Lifes Sunday - January National Foster Care month – May National Adoption Month – November Orphan Sunday – November 7th, 2010

Tips: Tandem with a Church-wide project: shoe drive, school

supply drive, prayer vigil, etc. (get EVERYONE involved, esp kids)

Learn what works. Don’t be afraid to change. Build on successes

Do small things with excellence Keep Praying