CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE FOR ORPHANS
BECAUSE OF YOU // A 2017 MID-YEAR UPDATE
PA G E
LETTER FROM JEDD MEDEFIND
PA G E
I N I T I AT I V E U P DAT E S
03
An introduction to the mid-year update
05
Short updates on what has been happening so far in 2017
PA G E
I N V I TAT I O N TO SOUL CARE
09
We invite you to experience the riches of God through planning a time of solitude
K I DS S UMMIT 2017 Kid’s perfor m al ongs i de Randal l Goodga me a t t hi s ye ar’s C AFO 2 01 7 Su mmit in Nas hvi l l e , TN.
2
I N T R O D U C T I O N
A L E T TE R It is beautiful to see what happens when God’s
lived when rooted in zeal for justice alone. If it
people join in a vision larger than any one
is to be sustained, our commitment to justice
organization could achieve alone.
and mercy must be paired with an even stronger commitment to cultivating a vibrant inner life
As we pass mid-year, I wanted to share a
rooted deep in Christ.
brief update and heartfelt thanks for your part in it all.
This is why CAFO is working together to model and encourage commitments that root ministry
Today, more than 190 Christian organizations
in spiritual life and health, not only for those
and 650+ churches labor together. Our shared
serving orphans, but for all Christians in service.
initiatives spark love for vulnerable children and
Learn more about this from the Christianity
guide that love in wise, God-honoring action.
Today article, “The Fight for Social Justice Starts Within.” And dig deeper via the “Justice and the
An article from the Evangelical Council for
Inner Life” podcast.
Financial Accountability earlier this year described the fruit of this unified work. “We’re
The fruit springing from all often comes at great
seeing a strong trend of deepening commitment
sacrifice, but it is beautiful indeed. Amidst our
to children the world often overlooks,” stated
world’s deep hurt, foster youth across America
ECFA President Dan Busby. “Christians aren’t
and orphans worldwide are experiencing God’s
only talking about how the Bible calls us to care
love through His people…broken families are
for orphans. They are truly putting their money
reunited…Christians are grasping their Father’s
where their mouths are.”
heart more deeply…and the world sees the Gospel made visible.
In all this growth and energy, however, CAFO desires most of all to keep this movement
In all this, we are so thankful for all that God
rooted deep in Christ. The simple truth is, we
continues to bring about — and for your role in
will not persevere in the beautiful, costly road
it. On behalf of every person pouring into this
of service – at least not with joyful hearts – if
shared mission, thank you for your continued
we neglect the health of our souls.
prayers and support.
As an article from CAFO published in this
In Christ,
month’s Christianity Today puts it: Christians never look more like Jesus than when humbly serving amidst the world’s hurt—caring for orphans, battling trafficking, promoting urban renewal. But this good will inevitably be short-
Jedd Medefind
Pre si d e n t C h ri sti a n Al l i a n c e f o r O r pha ns
3
C A F O 2 0 1 7
S U M M I T
4
R E C A P
C A F O 2 0 1 7
S U M M I T
R E C A P
In May, Summit Nashville sent 2,000+ leaders, advocates, pastors, parents and students back to every U.S. state and 30+ countries – all better equipped and connected to serve children wisely and well.
EQUIPPED & CONNECTED
2000+
30
FROM MORE THAN
LEADERS, ADVOCATES, PASTORS, PARENTS & STUDENTS
COUNTRIES
EVERY AND
U.S. STATE
TO SERVE CHILDREN WISELY AND WELL
5
Because of You
I N I T I A T I V E
U P D A T E S
GLOBAL MOVEMENTS INITIATIVE The Global Movements Initiative is now equipping indigenous orphan care networks in 35+ countries and finding innovative solutions for supporting these leaders overseas.
cafo.org/global
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE INITIATIVE Continues to help provide “more than enough� for kids and families in foster care across the U.S. with tools such as: Foster Movement U, State prayer calls and the new Foster Movement Podcast.
cafo.org/series/foster-movement
ORPHAN SUNDAY This year, we expect more than 80 countries to participate in Orphan Sunday. As an expression of Orphan Sunday, we are growing Stand Sunday which calls the U.S. Church to stand for kids and families in foster care.
orphansunday.org
6
I N I T I A T I V E
U P D A T E S
NATIONAL CHURCH MINISTRY INITIATIVE Is supporting more than 650 Member Churches grow foster/adoption/orphan ministries with a newly released e-book, Engage Your Church: Module 2 of a three-part series.
cafo.org/ncmi
APPLIED RESEARCH AND BEST PRACTICES INITIATIVE At its 4th annual OVC Research Symposium, hundreds gathered to improve the quality of Christian orphan care around the world.
cafo.org/ovc
STUDENT INITIATIVE A new initiative, launched during CAFO2017 Summit, the Student Initiative is preparing students for a lifetime of effective service through internships, intentional training and resources.
cafo.org/student-initiative
7
S O U L
C A R E
“We need to do our ministry and our work out of the overf low of what God is putting into us.” - GA RY H AU G E N
8
S O U L
C A R E
GROWING DOWN: A TI M E O F S O L I T U D E Saints across history have found that stepping away from the noise and pace of ordinary life – entering time alone with God and being attentive to His voice – can revive the soul. Jesus himself did this regularly (Luke 5:16). If Jesus needed it, how much more do we? We invite you to schedule a time in solitude on your calendar for later this year. (We recommend 24-hours if at all possible!) To help you plan and prepare for your time in solitude, we have compiled a few suggestions below. For further readings, look to the “solitude” sections in Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton or The Spirit of the Disciplines.
Tips on pla nni ng a t i m e of So l i t u de 1.
Lock in a date. Set aside a date now, months in advance
6.
Consider what you’ll do. Avoid setting “goals” or a rigid
if necessary. If you’re married, consider planning times for
schedule, but charting a loose flow for your time can be
both you and your spouse.
helpful. You may want to include: •
2.
•
center, cabin, hotel room, or home of an out-of-town Camping works for some if camp tasks aren’t consuming. Stick with your date. Something always comes up that
•
Exercises of Lectio Divina
•
Silent waiting and listening before God
•
Journaling -- articulating questions, struggles, thanksgiving and prayers
will spur you to reschedule. Resist if possible. 4.
Praying/meditating on the words of Psalms or other Scripture
friend are all options. Access to natural beauty is a plus.
3.
Prayers of confession, supplication, intercession, praise & thanksgiving
Secure a place where you’ll be undistracted. A retreat
Books. We’d encourage you not to bring Christian books
•
Singing hymns and songs of worship
•
Outdoor walks as time for reflection, praise, prayer and/or meditation
for learning. Solitude’s primary purpose is not new •
knowledge but to be present and attentive to God.
Contemplation without words – simply enjoying the presence of God
5.
Anticipate challenges. When we step from activities 7.
and noise into solitude, we can face withdrawals from
Open your hands. Every experience in solitude is unique.
the drug of constant stimulation. If you feel antsy or
Some are deeply comforting; others may disturb us with
distracted, simply offer that also to God.
a long-ignored truth. Sometimes God’s presence feels overwhelming; at others faint. Ask boldly for whatever you feel you need; but open your hands to receive whatever God knows you need.
9
IT’S ALL MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF STEWARDS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
learn more at cafo.org