LET EVERY CHILD EXPERIENCE GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE
2 0 1 9 C H A M P I O N PA RT N E R S H I P P R O S P E C T U S
“The field of orphan care, foster care and adoption enjoys a rare unity and strategic leadership – led by the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). CAFO facilitates shared initiatives involving many of the best organizations in the field, all working together to inspire and equip Christians for effective response for vulnerable children. Unified efforts like that bring far greater impact than when organizations work in isolation or competition.” EVANGELICAL COUNCIL FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY, ARTICLE ENTITLED “CHRISTIAN INVESTMENT IN ORPHAN CARE AND ADOPTION CONTINUES TO CLIMB DRAMATICALLY.”
I N TR O D U C TI O N
It is beautiful to see what happens when God’s people join in a vision larger than any one organization could achieve alone. Today, more than 195 Christian organizations and 720+ churches work together through CAFO. Our shared initiatives both inspire and equip the church to be the first answer for orphans and foster youth—across America and around the world. Government systems can play a critical role to protect children from harm. But most of all, children need love, nurture and belonging. That’s why the church simply can’t outsource James 1:27. We must play the central role—one loving home and relationship at a time. We’d love for you to be a part of this community too—working together to see every child experience God’s unfailing love through His people.
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The National Foster Care Initiative (NFCI) works to help churches provide “more than enough” for every child and family in foster care—so every single one can experience God’s love through the hospitality and care of His people. NFCI helps create and grow networks of churches engaging foster care together–growing Christian care for children and families until there is “more than enough” in every U.S. state.
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE INITIATIVE 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
The “More Than Enough” campaign launched at CAFO2019. Over the next six years, this coalition will unite Christian churches, organizations and agencies in coordinated action for a single goal. Together, we work to see more than enough loving homes for every child in foster care by 2025—including foster, adoptive and restored biological families. We aim to see 10% of churches in every one of the 3,142 U.S. counties supported to actively engage foster care.
morethanenoughtogether.org
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E What began in a small church in Zambia is now a catalyst for changing children’s lives across the U.S. and in more than 90 countries worldwide—including for the first time this year Serbia, Israel and Vietnam. The unity of CAFO enables a simple, powerful idea to ripple around the globe.
ORPHAN SUNDAY+ STAND SUNDAY 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
In 2019, CAFO aims to offer at least 12 different language websites—to serve expanded expressions of Orphan Sunday in at least 90 countries. We’ll also expand Stand Sunday in the U.S. to advocate for kids in foster care in at least 500 churches.
orphansunday.org standsunday.org
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The CAFO Summit is an unforgettable gathering—a community of kindred hearts. They come from across America and around the world: parents and pastors, experts and organizations, leaders and servants. Each is eager both to share and to receive expertise and encouragement— resources and friendship All are passionate to see children thrive through adoption, foster care and effective service to the vulnerable worldwide. Together, we seek justice and mercy, rooted deep in the Gospel of God’s unfailing love.
CAFO SUMMIT 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
At CAFO2019 in May, 2,000+ leaders, pastors, foster & adoptive parents, and professionals gathered from across the U.S. and around the globe. Over 96% returned home “better equipped for adoption, foster, and/or global ministry” and today are making a bigger difference for children in all 50 states and 124 countries!
cafo.org/summit
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The National Church Ministry Initiative (NCMI) helps local churches start and grow effective and sustainable foster care, adoption and orphan care ministries.
NATIONAL CHURCH MINISTRY INITIATIVE 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
In the past year, more than 700 churches and 3,000 leaders have been equipped to launch and lead ministries through webinars, resources, workshops and personal coaching sessions. Meanwhile, the new NCMI field guide Everyone Can Do Something has provided expert guidance to 2,000+ church leaders across the country. A new online training platform will soon help guide a wider circle of church leaders in practical strategies and models to help churches form and execute actionable ministry plans. everyonecandosomethingbook.com
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The Student Initiative equips future leaders for a lifetime of effective service to vulnerable children. The Initiative works to inspire students nationwide to share God’s deep love for orphans and foster youth. It also welcomes students into handson internships within CAFO and CAFO member organizations, while also offering learning and community for students desiring to build a strong foundation of knowledge and relationships for long-term service.
“This course continues to make my head and heart hurt in the best way possible, and what I appreciate most is how all of this material brings me to my knees in desperate need of God’s truth and guidance to reign supreme for all of us involved in this painful blessing of OVC care.” OVC Essentials Participant
cafo.org/student-initiative
THE CAFO STUDENT INITIATIVE 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
The new “OVC Essentials” course offers a 10-week online course for interns and new staff at CAFO organizations worldwide. It builds a strong foundation of knowledge and connections with articles, videos, books and podcasts— alongside interaction with both fellow learners and veterans in the field. This summer, CAFO will partner with “Christ in Youth” camps to expose 40,000+ students to the reality of children in foster care...and how students can play vital roles in helping local churches embrace children and families in foster care.
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The African American Church Council works to inspire and equip African American churches to care for vulnerable children in response to God’s command to “do justice” and care for orphans.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
Guided by the new African American Church Leadership Council, we aim to identify and then begin to build essential materials, connections and other resources designed to support African American churches and leaders who desire to promote and support foster care and adoption in the African American community.
cafo.org/aalc
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E CAFO unites its members in a powerful combined voice. From social media, to radio, to print, CAFO champions children the world often forgets.
ADVOCACY+ EDUCATION 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
CAFO’s united voice speaks together for vulnerable children and families…and for those serving them. This includes radio, online, TV and print interviews — from NPR and the New York Times to The Gospel Coalition…providing counsel to Congressional offices and U.S. officials... speaking at major events and conferences...and helping guide key national policy discussions.
Listen to Justice + the Inner Life: cafo.org/podcasts
Meanwhile, CAFO’s united voice also helps believers across the field keep their work rooted deep in the Gospel—including the podcast series, Justice and the Inner Life, with 25,000+ listens in more than 50 countries.
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The CAFO Global Network harnesses the strengths of CAFO members and expertise across the field to invest in emerging leaders and networks worldwide. The Network connects, coaches and helps expand local leadership worldwide.
GLOBAL NETWORKS 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
Over the past year, more than 700 local leaders who are building movements in more than 30 nations have been served, with over 14,000 distinct equipping experiences delivered to date. Global Networks continues to grow its worldwide community and the depth of its training and tools every month.
cafo.org/global
C A F O I N ITI ATI V E S
A B O U T T H E I N I T I AT I V E The Applied Research and Best Practice Initiative helps improve the quality of care for orphans around the globe. The initiative helps child-serving organizations to integrate current research and best practice models into their programs that aid children and families in more than 100 countries.
APPLIED RESEARCH+ BEST PRACTICE INITIATIVE 2 0 1 9 S T R AT E G I C G O A L S
2019 highlights will include: • Competitive small grant awards to organizations— driving innovation among ministries worldwide • CAFO’s new “Core Elements” establishing first-oftheir-kind standards for childserving ministries • New training series and events, including the 2019 Research Symposium, on the impact of technology use on vulnerable children
cafo.org/ovc
A N I N V ITATI O N
The need of our world can be overwhelming. But a single number matters more than any other...
It only takes one loving person to change the life of a child forever. God’s people are rising for orphaned children and foster youth around the world.
Will you join us? visit cafo.org or email info@cafo.org
nedc Giving Life. Giving Hope.
National Embryo Donation Center
LEARN MORE:
cafo.org