KINDNESS S H OW H O P E M I R A C L E S 2 0 2 3
ON THE COVER Meet the Heath family, pictured with Show Hope Founders Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman! A few years ago, we had the opportunity to share their story and the unique bond they share with the Chapman family. Scan the QR Code to Watch Their Video Story.
CONTENTS
4 6
From Our Founders
8-15 12
ADOPTION AID
16-21 18
MEDICAL CARE
22-29 24
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT
30-35 32
STUDENT INITIATIVES
36 39 40 41
Show Hope By the Numbers
A Beam of Light
A Weight Lifted
A Catalyst for Change
What’s Next for Pause Campaign? How You Can Join Us in Prayer From Our Executive Director Options for Giving to the Mission of Show Hope 2023 Financial Activities
FROM OUR FOUNDERS I cannot believe it has been 20 years! Show Hope was founded in my heart in 2000 when Shaoey came home through the miracle of adoption, but it would be 2003 when Shaohannah’s Hope would become official. And through the course of several years, Shaohannah’s Hope evolved into her name, Show Hope. When I have the time to really reflect back on this work, I can only say that I’m humbled. Show Hope exists today because so many people love the mission to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. By people, I mean staff members— present and past—who have loved this work; families who have stepped into the gloriously hard journey of adoption; and donors and friends who have fanned the flames, given in abundance, and stood with us in this important work. For that, I will forever be grateful. “Thank you” falls short as we embark on this next 20-year journey. The kindness that each of you reading this has shown us is truly not lost on Steven and me. Over the years, we have tried to hold onto and believe the verse from Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” In the next 20 years of this amazing work, we will be trusting in this verse with as much fervor and passion as always … holding it with open hands toward the Lord and asking him to show us the way. Thank you for being on this journey with us; for together, we can Show Hope and show people who Jesus truly is.
MARY BETH CHAPMAN CO-FOUNDER + CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHOW HOPE P.S. A little surprise to us recently, our Show Hope team crafted a clever little letter, celebrating 20 years of Show Hope! Steven and I were so touched that we wanted to share it with you. Thank you, again; we love you all!
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DEAR SHOW HOPE FAMILY, Twenty years ago, Mary Beth and Steven saddled up their horses for a great adventure to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. In founding Show Hope, they did it for the sake of the call found in James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” They believe children are the fingerprints of God, and they deeply desire for each one to know what it is when love takes you in, just as they had seen in welcoming home Shaohannah Hope, Stevey Joy, and Maria Sue. As Show Hope’s mission gloriously unfolded, Mary Beth and Steven were left speechless by beauties unimaginable and pains unspeakable, all the while God continued to whisper, “I will be here,” reminding them to be still and know his strength is perfect. Even amidst the uncertainties of life, they have long desired to SEE heaven in the real world, and our Redeemer, who is faithful and true, has blessed them with women and men, families and communities who have said, “I will go there with you.” Thank you for choosing to live out loud with us as we more fully realize there is more to this life. Year after year, you dive into this work of caring well for children and families, and you don’t lose heart. Trust us when we say, Show Hope is not possible without you. As Mary Beth and Steven dream about the next 20 years of Show Hope, they know we can change the world with kindness. So let us pray and do everything for the glory of our Magnificent Obsession. Through him, beauty will rise as he makes all things new, for he is faithful still. “Oh, taste and SEE that the Lord is good!” Thank you for your kindness, YOUR SHOW HOPE TEAM
FROM OUR FOUNDERS | 5
ADOPTION AID
8,600+
CHILDREN impacted by Adoption Aid grants
$40+
60+
COUNTRIES
MILLION awarded in Adoption Aid grants
MEDICAL CARE
90+
CHILDREN and FAMILIES impacted by Medical Care grants
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$670,000 AWARDED in Medical Care grants
BY THE NUMBERS PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT
138,000+ CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
2,100+
SCHOLARSHIPS awarded to TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention®) Practitioner Training
S T U D E N T I N I T I AT I V E S
23,000+
STUDENTS engaged
95
STUDENT GROUPS have participated in Pause Campaign
BY THE NUMBERS | 7
— THE FAIN FAMILY —
ADOPTION AID FISCAL YEAR 2023 BY THE NUMBERS
360+
310+
ADOPTION AID grants awarded
440+
CHILDREN came home
GRANT APPLICATIONS
140+
170+
GRANTS awarded for adoptions in the U.S.
GRANTS awarded for INTERCOUNTRY adoptions
Largest Single Grant Award Period: $1,058,000 to 109 families
ADOPTION AID | 9
Adoption Aid
10 | SHOW HOPE MIRACLES
ADOPTION AID | 11
Adoption Aid
B
eam of light. That is what Nolitha’s name means in Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa where she was born. And according to Jane and Aaron Littmann, her name could not be more accurate.
“Every photo we received of her [before bringing her home] proved that to be true,” Aaron said. “She is a beam of light.” Jane knew from a young age that she felt called to adopt and particularly had a heart for Africa. After Aaron met Jane at Texas A&M University, he knew adoption would become a part of his story in a life with Jane. The Littmanns’ first introduction to Show Hope included a past Fellowship Weekend where they left feeling reassured of their calling to adopt. Jane attended Fellowship Weekend again the next year and learned about Pause Campaign. She shared it with Aaron, who was then serving as a youth director. Pause Campaign, Show Hope’s current Student Initiative, is a seven-day social media fast designed to help students learn more about the needs of children and mobilize them to take action. “We came to a youth group that was trying to reignite,” Aaron said. “[Pause Campaign] was something we could do that was mission-oriented and beyond ourselves. It served as a catalyst for identifying student leaders.”
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Aaron was soon called to serve as the CEO at Camp Lone Star in La Grange, Texas. Not long after, at the start of 2019, Jane and Aaron began their adoption journey as part of a pilot program in South Africa. Everything was moving along smoothly, but then COVID-19 began to shut down travel. “It was a challenge to know there was a child who was potentially already born, but we couldn’t get to him or her,” Aaron said. “But the Lord remained faithful.” In March 2021, they were matched with their daughter, Nolitha. A year later, the Littmanns received approval, travel dates, and a court date. Three months before their travel date, though, they received a call from their agency. “They originally told us we would be [in South Africa] for four to six weeks, but they were now telling us that we would instead be there for three to five months,” Jane said. “It was a whirlwind getting it all ready, but God was good.” “The [Show Hope Adoption Aid] grant came right as we learned that we were going to be in South Africa for longer than expected,” Aaron said.
A BEAM of LIGHT ADOPTION AID | 13
Costs grew exponentially, and that’s when the Show Hope grant showed up. — AARON LITTMANN
“The things that we had been budgeting for and expecting, those costs grew exponentially, and that’s when the Show Hope grant showed up,” Aaron continued. “[The grant] made it possible, so we weren’t stressed about the finances and how much we were spending to be in the country. Instead, we could focus on our attachment with Nolitha and enjoying new life with her in our family.” The Littmann family arrived home on August 20, 2022, after spending a total of 94 days in South Africa—something that they call “a blessing in disguise.” “Where we saw God [in our adoption story] was having the time to be in Nolitha’s birth country to soak up that culture and spend time bonding rather than getting on a plane super fast after meeting,” Aaron said. “It helped with our family
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bonding and her attachment. We had the benefit of learning so much about South African culture. Getting to live it for a short amount of time gave us a lot more knowledge and made the transition home so much smoother.” Before traveling to meet her, Jane and Aaron sent Nolitha a book they made. The book contained pictures of Jane, Aaron, their dog, and their house, including Nolitha’s new room and her pink bed. The three looked at the book frequently during the 94 days they spent in South Africa. “We were prepared for her to sleep in our room, and on the first night, we asked her if she wanted to sleep with us, and Nolitha said, ‘I want to sleep in my pink bed!’ I think the three months of us being with her fully dedicated and not busy with work really helped us transition home,” Jane shared. “She felt safe [with us].”
Nolitha, who is now 4 years old, is what Jane and Aaron describe as a social butterfly. “She’s never met a stranger,” Aaron said.
to speak with friends who are considering adoption, encouraging them to take the step of faith.
The family lives at camp with five other families who all together have six children, ranging in age from 1 to 6 years old. Nolitha fits in like she has known them her entire life.
“Don’t be afraid of the unknown,” Aaron said. “Walk boldly forward, and there will be a community of people that God will surround you with, that you might not even know, that is going to help walk with you in the journey.”
“She has blossomed,” Jane said. “I think she feels comfortable to be herself. It has been a blessing to see her thrive.”
For the Littmanns, the community of Show Hope— both financially and through prayer—is part of that circle of support.
So comfortable in fact, Nolitha asked to start going to school. Jane and Aaron were apprehensive at first, knowing that they live in a small town and worried about finding a preschool that would be sensitive to attachment. When signing up Nolitha, they learned that the director of the preschool was adopted herself and has a master’s degree in social work.
“You don’t always get to see the impact of your generosity and your faithfulness, but we got to experience it. And we now get to experience that every single day,” Aaron said. “To be a family, it’s priceless.”
“The Lord knew what he was doing long ago,” Aaron said. “Why would we even question it?” Jane and Aaron have recently had the opportunity
— THE McGLATHERY FAMILY —
MEDICAL CARE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BY THE NUMBERS
40
GRANT APPLICATIONS
39
MEDICAL CARE GRANTS awarded
$289,000 AWARDED in Medical Care grants
MEDICAL CARE | 17
Medical Care
A WEIGHT LIFTED A
ubrey and Ryan Bauer knew before they ever got married the Lord was calling them to adopt. They started dating in high school and continued dating through college, always staying on the same page about their future. After having their first two children, Ellory and Emmett, they knew it was time to begin pursuing adoption. But not only did they know they wanted to adopt, they knew they wanted to adopt a child with special needs. Through the process, the Lord opened the door to India, where the Bauers learned of a young boy with severe special needs. They welcomed their son Elias home in 2021 when he was 21 months old, being told he would never be able to walk or talk. Elias was born with a genetic disorder where he lives without the left side of his brain. He also has cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, and scoliosis. Aubrey said that when Elias first came home, he was hospitalized for weeks and needed several surgeries, including the removal of his colon and the insertion of a feeding tube in order to survive. “The Lord really has taught us so much and grown us so much and has just surpassed so many more things than we thought, even in these short two years that he’s been home,” Aubrey said.
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The Lord really has taught us so much and grown us so much and has just surpassed so many more things than we thought. — AUBREY BAUER
MEDICAL CARE | 19
One of Elias’ therapists encouraged his parents to enroll him into intensive therapies built for children just like him. They decided to give the programs a try and immediately began seeing Elias make amazing progress. With glimmers of hope, the Bauers said they knew they had to keep sending Elias to the intensives, but the programs were thousands of dollars and not covered by insurance. Aubrey and Ryan had brought Elias home with the help of a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant, so they were aware of Show Hope’s Medical Care grants. But at the time, Ryan said he felt guilty applying for medical aid. “To be honest—and maybe this is just me—but in the back of my head, I was always thinking, Well, you
know, we are so blessed in terms of the job that I have,” Ryan shared. “Nevertheless, these are expenses that we didn’t really plan for. It’d be great to be blessed with that, but maybe there’s someone else who deserves it more. I think that probably was one reason for me [as to] why I was hesitant to apply, almost feeling a little bit guilty.” But Ryan said through talking with Aubrey and the encouragement of their supportive small group, the Bauers decided to apply and were accepted. The Medical Care grant amount will, in essence, cover 18 months of intensive therapies. And defying medical predictions, it was during a recent therapy that Elias, who is now 4 years old, took his first step. He has a walker and can say words like all done and dad.
“Somebody told us, ‘Let other people be a part of your story,’ …
this is a tangible way for allowing other people to be a part of that.” “We’ve seen so much progress that I don’t think we anticipated,” Ryan said. “Yet there’s always an element of the Lord can do whatever he wants through whoever he wants.” Aubrey said it was encouraging to see the hands and feet of Jesus through so many people involved in the pre- and post-adoption process and having support with medical bills took such a weight off her and Ryan’s shoulders. “I don’t know that we can articulate just how grateful we are that all of that was given,” Aubrey said. “It really
did take such a load off, especially when you carry a lot mentally and emotionally. It was really great.” Elias’ medical needs are vast, initially leading the Bauers to believe they wouldn’t adopt a second child living with special needs. But as God would have it, he slowly began changing their hearts, this time to adopt domestically. In the spring of this year, the Bauers welcomed home Emma, a 2-month-old baby with Down syndrome, living just one county over from their home outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Aubrey and Ryan also brought Emma home through the help of a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant. For those considering adoption or on the journey already, the Bauers want other parents who are hesitant to apply for an Adoption Aid or Medical Care grant to not feel guilt like they had.
Yet there’s always an element of the Lord can “Somebody told us, ‘Let other people be a part of do whatever he wants. your story,’” Aubrey said. “And this is a tangible way — RYAN BAUER
for allowing other people to be a part of that. That was so freeing to us.”
MEDICAL CARE | 21
— THE DEMPSEY FAMILY —
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT FISCAL YEAR 2023 BY THE NUMBERS NEARLY
14,000
470+
VIEWERS of the Hope for the Journey Conference in 45 states + 7 countries + 4 Canadian provinces
285+
SCHOLARSHIPS awarded for TBRI Practitioner Training, impacting individuals in the U.S., Eastern Europe, and Australia
CONFERENCE HOST SITES
440+
FAMILIES received free access to Pre+Post Adoption Support resources
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT | 23
PRE+POST
Adoption Support
A CATALYST FOR Change
H
er name may sound familiar to you, especially if you have followed her family’s story. For many, Shaohannah Hope Chapman is the first of three daughters Show Hope Founders Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman welcomed home through adoption. It was Shaoey’s adoption that served as a catalyst for the founding of Show Hope 20 years ago now. In fact, if you know our history well, you know Show Hope’s official name is Shaohannah’s Hope. Yet there’s so much more to tell. “Who Shaoey Chapman is is always changing and growing. My hope for myself has never been, I need to be someone who changes the world but someone who
24 | SHOW HOPE MIRACLES
changes a world. It can be anyone’s world … the kid I sit next to on the plane ride from London to Seattle, the parent of a patient in a hospital in Cape Town, or even the nanny of a child I fell in love with in China.” For Shaoey, much of her story took shape at the age of 8 with the loss of her little sister Maria, yet in her honesty and vulnerability, it was in Changde, Hunan, China, where Shaoey’s story began. “That story of abandonment and adoption has become a part of my story that I can no longer brush aside as something I don’t remember,” Shaoey shared. “Through my studies and training in TBRI, I have come to realize
— DR. DANICA KNIGHT, THE REES-JONES DIRECTOR OF THE KPICD — just how instrumental that part of my story is to the way I engage in relationships with others and how I view myself. I’m still working through this part of my story and the impact it’s made on my life, but what I do know is that God does have a plan. … There is something new and incredible that is coming.” WHAT IS TBRI? For some 15 years now, Show Hope and the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU (KPICD) have worked together in raising awareness about trauma’s impact on child development and, in turn, equipping parents, caregivers, church communities, and professionals to care well for the children entrusted to them. The unique partnership between Show Hope and the KPICD began with the late Dr. Karyn Purvis, who, along with
Dr. David Cross, developed Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). TBRI is a care model designed to help meet relational and developmental needs of children and youth impacted by trauma, and for us, at Show Hope, TBRI is also, in many ways, our faith in action—an expression of how God our Father loves us through connecting, empowering, and correcting. “The KPICD exists to bring hope and healing to children around the world. But we can’t do this alone,” Dr. Danica Knight, the Rees-Jones Director of the KPICD, recently shared. “We rely on Show Hope, a trusted partner, to make this vision a reality. What we love and value most deeply is Show Hope’s commitment and multi-faceted approach to adoption success—not just in the beginning as families experience barriers to adoption, but by continuing to
What we love and value most deeply is Show Hope’s commitment and multi-faceted approach to adoption success. — DR. DANICA KNIGHT
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT | 25
pour into families to provide ongoing education and support so that parents and communities are equipped to meet the needs of children in their care. Ultimately, the hope is for children to heal and thrive!” It was in her high school years when Shaoey was first introduced to TBRI and trauma-informed care. At the time, Show Hope was beginning to integrate TBRI into its Care Centers in China, namely Maria’s Big House of Hope, and Shaoey’s mom, Mary Beth, recommended that she read “The Connected Child” by Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross along with Wendy Lyons Sunshine. As an “avid personalitytest lover,” Shaoey immediately connected with the content, but as an adoptee, that connection grew even deeper and more meaningful.
TBRI allows parents, caregivers, and professionals to understand children on a deeper level. — SHAOEY CHAPMAN
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“TBRI allows parents, caregivers, and professionals to understand children on a deeper level. It promotes connection with children, rather than simple authority between child and adult,” Shaoey explained. “It also encourages empowerment for children, rather than dependence on their caregivers or defiance due to a lack of freedom. And [TBRI] advocates for correction, rather than allowing difficult behaviors to go unchecked. If all of these principles are balanced accordingly, it allows children to grow the ability to develop healthy relationships, become independent, and learn from their mistakes.” A CATALYST FOR CHANGE Show Hope is committed to reducing barriers to adoption, and through our Pre+Post Adoption Support work, we address head-on the knowledge barrier with the aim of equipping parents, caregivers, professionals, and communities with the knowledge and tools to build connection with their children and teens as they begin to better understand their needs together. In partnership with the KPICD at TCU, the most visible or recognizable resource is Show Hope’s Hope for the Journey Conference, with its early iteration known as the Empowered to Connect Conference. To date, more than 138,000 parents, caregivers, church leaders, and professionals have been a part of the now annual conference. Yet as Danica points out, Show Hope and the KPICD lock arms in other initiatives as well.
“Each year, Show Hope provides [scholarships] for professionals to attend TBRI Practitioner Training— our showcase experience that equips adults to implement TBRI Principles and strategies with children and families they serve,” Danica shared. “Because of our partnership with Show Hope, more people now have access to TBRI and are using it within homes, schools, churches, residential centers, and many other settings where children live, learn, and play. Together with other TBRI Practitioners in their communities, they’re actively creating traumainformed systems of care.” According to Danica, Show Hope has invested close to $3.5 million in TBRI Practitioner Training scholarships alone. That “significant financial support,” as Danica referred to it, equates to 2,136 individuals—or roughly 30 percent of all TBRI Practitioners here in the U.S. and around the globe. For Show Hope’s current fiscal year, which ends
June 30, 2024, we have set the strategic goal of awarding 250 scholarships. “Most of these trainees live in the U.S., and 317 live and serve in 40 different countries around the world!” Danica shared. “Show Hope’s further investment in our global training initiatives include $375,000 to support trainings on the ground in Colombia and Ethiopia. Because of these generous gifts, more adults understand the importance of connection and have skills they need to truly see and meet the needs behind a child’s behavior. This means that more children feel seen and heard; more children feel connected and safe; more children are learning how to regulate their emotions and actions; and more children are experiencing hope through healing relationships.” In 2022, Show Hope had the opportunity to provide financial support for the KPICD’s first
Because of our partnership with Show Hope, more people now have access to TBRI. — DR. DANICA KNIGHT
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT | 27
international TBRI Practitioner Training held in Bogota, Colombia. According to Danica, it was the first time individuals in Latin America were trained in their home country or region and in their native language, using activities and examples adapted to fit within their cultural heritage. Along with All God’s Children International, Show Hope, once again, locked arms with the KPICD to establish local networks of TBRI Practitioners, translate resources and materials, train and equip local presenters and mentors, and arrange training logistics. “Show Hope’s partnership was vital to this work, as the cost of trainings is high and very little revenue can be generated,” Danica shared. “Show Hope’s gifts meant that three huge barriers for the people of Latin America—language, distance, and cost— were overcome. These efforts in Colombia were so successful that our three organizations are replicating this model in Ethiopia [this month]. … As TBRI expands its reach into new settings and cultures, strategic efforts to support system-wide change are imperative. When we invest in entire communities,
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as we’ve done in Bogota, Colombia, we become a catalyst for change across an entire system of care.” A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT In February of this year, the Chapmans experienced one of those “full circle moments” in the life of their family and in the story of Show Hope, when Shaoey attended and completed TBRI Practitioner Training as part of her Master of Social Work program at the University of Alabama. It was a goal she set for herself when first learning more about TBRI, well before her days of collegiate academics. “At the time of my Practitioner Training, I was still in the process of deciding what career path to take,” Shaoey explained. “Shortly after, I found the field of Child Life and absolutely fell in love. Child Life Specialists work in hospitals to help reduce medical anxiety and trauma for children using developmental assessment to appropriately walk children and their parents through pre- and post-operational briefings and different procedures. I have found that TBRI is extremely impactful in this field, as some of the
children seen in hospitals may have had trauma previous to their hospitalization. In addition, Child Life Specialists attempt to give children control in a setting that can be very foreign and scary to them.” For Shaoey, TBRI is “a lifestyle—one that is impossible to do perfectly, but one that comes with a lot of grace. It not only brings life to children but also to caregivers. The power of connection impacts all involved and is incredible to see.” In whatever comes her way both professionally and personally, Shaoey hopes to carry with her the truths she has discovered in her own personal story and the education and skills she has worked hard to obtain, all the while living by a passage near to her heart: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
The power of connection impacts all involved and is incredible to see. — SHAOEY CHAPMAN
PRE+POST ADOPTION SUPPORT | 29
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STUDENT I N I T I AT I V E S FISCAL YEAR 2023 BY THE NUMBERS
400+
STUDENTS participated in Pause Campaign
13
STUDENT GROUPS completed Pause Campaigns
STUDENT INITIATIVES | 31
Student Initiatives
WHAT’S NEXT FOR PAUSE CAMPAIGN? W
hat would it look like for a group of students to put away distractions for seven days and focus on children who have been orphaned? This was the vision Show Hope had in the fall of 2016 when Pause Campaign (Pause) officially launched, with its aim of engaging students in the work to care for orphans and reduce barriers to adoption.
missionaries who serve around the globe, many ministering to children and families in vulnerable situations. Throughout the week, middle and high school students were invited to participate in Pause Campaign as a way to dive deeper. Kacee Cromer, Headmaster of Union Grove Christian School, was excited about bringing this resource to her students.
Since 2008, Show Hope’s Student Initiatives work has been intentional about investing in students and raising up change-makers. However, Pause is unique in the fact that it focuses on education as a means of mobilization. Over the past seven years, Pause has engaged with thousands of students and spurred on action that has had rippling effects. Pause groups have been a part of raising more than $20,000 for Show Hope to help families through Adoption Aid and Medical Care grants. Local families have been served by students raising money and supplies for their adoptions. Pause Campaign leaders have even entered their own adoption journeys. And entire schools have rallied around Pause to create a culture that prays for the needs of children who are vulnerable and challenges students to think about their next steps when it comes to serving.
“Pause Campaign brought about a sense of practical student involvement to our Missions Emphasis Week,” Kacee said. “Several missionaries were in attendance sharing their ministry; however, Show Hope presented a different angle and encouraged students to be aware and make a difference in the lives of children who have been orphaned, not only around the world but in their surrounding area as well.
One school impacted by Pause Campaign is Union Grove Christian School in Lexington, North Carolina. In September 2022, Union Grove incorporated Pause into its annual Missions Emphasis Week. Each day during chapel, students heard from
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“Students who had been adopted were emboldened that week to share their stories,” Kacee continued. “It brought about great awareness in our school of how many students were affected by adoption. Students continue to make comments about the Pause Campaign and its effects.” One of Show Hope’s goals for Pause Campaign is to integrate this resource into Christian schools. While the daily demands of teachers and administrators are high, Kacee still encourages school leaders to prioritize bringing Pause Campaign to their students. “As followers of Christ, we are required to care for orphans; I believe being the administrator of
Students who had been adopted were emboldened that week to share their stories. — KACEE CROMER
STUDENT INITIATIVES | 33
As followers of Christ, we are required to care for orphans … Pause Campaign is a wonderful step of discipleship. — KACEE CROMER a Christian school requires me to prepare and equip the next generation to obey that command,” Kacee explained. “Pause Campaign is a wonderful step of discipleship, and I would encourage all administrators to find the time to make [the needs of orphans] a priority in your school. The more often an issue or challenge to take part is brought before students, the greater probability that they will be sensitive to saying ‘yes’ when God moves in their hearts to make a difference.” WHAT’S NEXT? As Pause Campaign nears its seventh anniversary, Show Hope has assessed its relevance, depth, and application in determining how to best reach even more students. Launched this fall, Pause Campaign is now available in two different versions: Student Edition and College Edition. The goal of two Pause Campaign
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versions is to go deeper with each age group to better educate, mobilize, and inspire to the fullest. The new Student Edition of Pause Campaign has been reimagined for middle and high school students. Through more specialized content, next steps, and further resources, the Student Edition is tailored for Christian schools, youth groups, and other groups of middle and high school students. With the goal of partnering with more schools annually, this resource is now better equipped to meet those needs, particularly those of schools comprising both middle and high schools. The College Edition focuses on incorporating more information about trauma competency, people-first language, and age-appropriate next steps. A key initiative in Show Hope’s three-year strategic plan
includes incorporating our Trauma Competency Continuum as well as resources from the annual Hope for the Journey Conference into our Student Initiatives work. The new Pause Campaign College Edition will serve as a catalyst in going deeper with students as they determine personal fields of study and career paths to follow. As Pause Campaign moves into this second phase, our hope and prayer is for more students to be engaged more deeply. The purpose of this goal is not to just see numbers increased or strategic objectives met. The goal—remaining true to Show Hope’s mission—is to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption through equipping and mobilizing the next generation of leaders. If one student feels called into the social work field and brings trauma-competent caregiving to children and families in need, Pause Campaign is a success.
If one future educator is introduced to TBRI and is able to change the life of one future student in their classroom, Pause Campaign is a success. If, in 20 years, one parent is loving and caring well for her or his child because a Pause Campaign week stirred their heart to adoption, Pause Campaign is a success. As this new phase of Pause Campaign begins, Show Hope’s prayer for the Student Initiative’s program remains the same: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Praise be to God who has done far more abundantly than we could ask or think in Student Initiatives over the past 15 years, and all glory to him for what is to come through Student Initiatives in the years to come.
STUDENT INITIATIVES | 35
At Show Hope, the greatest gift one could
HOW YOU CAN JOIN US IN PRAYER 36 | SHOW HOPE MIRACLES
share or avenue of support to take is that of prayer. This is something we do not take lightly. We stand firm on and are committed to the truth that prayer is, in fact, essential in our work and in our relationship to the Father. The Bible compels us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). These words are not simply utterances to comfort us; they are, in fact, God-ordained anchors to which we cling in calm waters or raging storms.
We pray for children who have been orphaned. There are millions around the world who do not know the love and permanency of family. Their longing for love and security—to be seen, to be heard, to be regarded as precious—reflect the very heart of our creation as God’s image-bearers, and it is our mission to care for these children as God has called us (James 1:27). We pray for the families who long to adopt and care for children living outside parental care. There are countless families who are coming alongside vulnerable children by welcoming them into their lives and numbering them in their family. These families are taking steps of faith each day, and we pray for God to provide for them and sustain them, bringing hope for the journey that lies ahead. We pray that God would grant wisdom to the appointed leaders and decision-making entities and agencies that work to protect vulnerable children. No matter how difficult or challenging the circumstances may be, we ask that God would grant courage, clarity, and fruitfulness in their work to protect the best interests of children. We find hope in these words from Proverbs: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints” (2:6-8). We pray, also, for wisdom in our work to serve well children and families. We are presented many paths to take in our work, and more often than not, the clarity needed in choosing the best path can be clouded. And so, it is in those days and seasons where true wisdom is needed and is sought. As James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (1:5-6). We pray for God to empower us to steward well the gifts, talents, and expertise entrusted to us. At Show Hope, we are made up of women and men who are committed to seeing God's kingdom reflected through the work and mission set forth by our Founders, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman. There are those of us who are rich in
the knowledge of child and adoption advocacy. We have “creatives”—those God has gifted in the area of communication—and we have those who are excellent at forging and fostering relationships inside and outside our organization. And last but certainly not least, there are those who work “behind the scenes” in finance, technology, and policy, who guide us in the stewardship of best practices in managing operations. While we strive for excellence and integrity in all we do, it is God—whose hands and feet we seek to be—working in and through us. We pray that God will continue to sustain our work. All that we are and all that we have are God’s and solely dependent upon him. In his gospel account, John boldly proclaims and reminds us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:1-5). We pray for faith. In our personal daily walks—and in our work at Show Hope—we can be easily swayed, distracted, burdened, and afraid. If these things were not true, if these things were not experienced by all, why then would we need hope? Faith is what moves us forward in spite of the unknown, the anxiety, and the weight of life. It is a gift given only by God, and it is why we can also call out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). We pray that God would be glorified in all. In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (10:31). This thought is what, ultimately, informs our daily work at Show Hope— whether in Executive Leadership, Programs, Development, Finance, Operations, or Communications. May God continue to guide us and shape us until the day he makes all things new.
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FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEAR FRIENDS,
In the Book of Hebrews, we find the familiar verse: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The call to faith is a call to trust in a God we can’t see—to trust he is good and at work in our world. Faith in the loving-kindness of God is what led Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman to found Show Hope 20 years ago, and today, it is faith that continues to lead us as we seek to usher in God’s kingdom here on earth. United States Senator Tammy Duckworth once said, “Enthusiasm is common; endurance is rare.” While endurance may not be the norm in our world today, here at Show Hope, we have a front-row seat to it each day. Endurance is families stepping up to answer the call of adoption. It is parents slowly building trust and connection with their child. And endurance is, in fact, a child waiting to finally know the love, security, and permanency of a family. Through your prayers and generosity, you have run the race with us here at Show Hope. Your kindness has enabled us to award more than $40 million in our cornerstone Adoption Aid grants, impacting more than 8,600 children and families. That same kindness has allowed us to help equip roughly 30 percent of all TBRI Practitioners here in the U.S. and around the world, and it has carried us in our emerging Medical Care grants work, where more than 90 children and families have been met with $670,000 in much-needed support. Yet by faith, our race cannot and will not stop there. In the year ahead, we have boldly stepped out in faith with the goal to award 350 Adoption Aid grants by June 30, 2024—a 10 percent increase over our prior fiscal year—and by 2025, we hope to SEE 250 Medical Care grants awarded annually to families on the adoption journey. And holding firm to the hope that every child will come to know her or his worth and dignity as a child of God, we have planned to award 250 scholarships to professionals, including church leaders, for TBRI Practitioner Trainings. It has been said, The impacts of Show Hope’s Pre+Post Adoption Support work will be seen for generations to come, but I would like to amend that to, The impacts of Show Hope’s work, in whole, will be seen for generations to come. You are a crucial part in those impacts. From each child who enters the love of a family to each student leading the charge of the next generation, the work of Show Hope simply is not possible without you. So together, let’s continue to step out in faith and run with endurance this race as we care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing the barriers to adoption. In other words, let’s SEE where hope can go. By faith,
KRISTIN E. PARKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHOW HOPE
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Options for Giving to the Mission of Show Hope The work of Show Hope is not possible without the prayers, support, and generosity of individuals, families, like-minded organizations, and ministries. We would be honored to discuss varying options of gifts and donations to our mission. The following are examples of different giving options; to learn more, we also encourage you to visit showhope.org/morewaystogive or by emailing us at give@showhope.org.
Retirement Assets (Required Minimum Distribution–RMD and Qualified Charitable Distribution–QCD From Your Individual Retirement Account–IRA) A QCD is a distribution from your IRA to a qualified charity. If certain conditions are met, QCDs can also qualify toward RMDs that individuals who are age 72 or older must meet each year if they have traditional IRAs.
Non-Cash Assets Donating to Show Hope through a non-cash asset like a donoradvised fund, stock/appreciated securities, or other non-cash assets may provide significant tax advantages. Consult a professional about what tax benefits would apply in your specific situation.
Legacy (Planned) Giving (Will, Trust, Estate Plan, or Beneficiary Designation) Plan a gift to Show Hope by designating the ministry in your will, trust, estate plan, or as the beneficiary of your retirement assets or insurance, or establish an annuity to benefit the mission of Show Hope.
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Scan the QR code to learn more opportunities to give, or visit showhope.org/morewaystogive.
This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or tax advisor.
2023 FI NAN C IAL ACTIVITI E S Financial Activities Statement for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT Contributions: Adoption Aid
$3,243,720
Orphan Care
$241,040
Adoption Awareness
$1,711
General - Other
$5,580,353
TOTAL REVENUES AND GAINS
$9,066,824
EXPENSES Program Services: Adoption Aid
$4,695,646
Orphan Care
$434,488
Adoption Awareness
$950,420
TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES
$6,080,554
Supporting Services: General and Administrative
$1,292,425
Fundraising and Marketing
$1,295,345
TOTAL SUPPORTING SERVICES
$2,587,770 $8,668,324
TOTAL EXPENSES INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
$398,500
NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
$9,867,751
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
$10,266,251
Program Services 70%
Administrative 15%
Fundraising & Marketing 15%
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Mary Beth Chapman Chairman Steven Curtis Chapman Vice Chair Rick Dempsey Mike Davis Donna Daniel Leslie Maclellan Scotty Smith Independent audit conducted by Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC. Show Hope/Shaohannah’s Hope is a 501(c)(3) ministry. As a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), our financial statements are prepared by an independent audit firm. Contributions to the ministry are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
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WELL DONE + WELL DESERVED
NCFA ADOPTION HALL OF FAME
This month, our Co-founder and Chairman of the Board Mary Beth Chapman will be inducted into the National Council for Adoption (NCFA) Adoption Hall of Fame, in recognition for her significant contributions to building a culture that supports all members of the adoption community. Please join us in CONGRATULATING Mary Beth! Without her wisdom, tenacity, and willingness to take risks and act innovatively, the work and mission of Show Hope would not be possible. We love you, Mary Beth, and will be forever grateful for your fierce championing of and care for children and families.
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5O HIS EYES • MY TURN
NOW • MORE TO THIS LIFE • I WILL
BE HERE • LOVE YOU WITH MY LIFE • TREASURE
ISLAND • FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL • WHEN YOU
ARE A SOLDIER • NO BETTER PLACE • BUSY MAN • WHAT
KIND OF JOY • THE GREAT ADVENTURE • WHERE WE BELONG
• GO THERE WITH YOU • STILL CALLED TODAY (FEATURING BEBE
WINANS) • HEAVEN IN THE REAL WORLD • KING OF THE JUNGLE •
DANCING WITH THE DINOSAUR • THE MOUNTAIN • HEARTBEAT OF
HEAVEN • SOMETIMES HE COMES IN THE CLOUDS • CHRISTMAS IS ALL
IN THE HEART • LORD OF THE DANCE • SIGNS OF LIFE • LET US PRAY • FREE • HOLD ON TO JESUS • NOT HOME YET • I WILL NOT GO QUIETLY • SPEECHLESS • DIVE • BE STILL AND KNOW • GREAT EXPECTATIONS • THE INVITATION • FINGERPRINTS OF GOD • THE CHANGE • LIVE OUT LOUD • GOD IS GOD • MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION • ALL ABOUT LOVE • MOMENT MADE FOR WORSHIPPING • ALL THINGS NEW • MUCH OF YOU • BELIEVE ME NOW • YOURS • DO EVERYTHING • CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN • LOVE TAKE ME OVER • DIVE (FEATURING RICKY SKAGGS) • DON’T LOSE HEART
N U M B E R O N E S!
CONGRATULATIONS to our Co-founder and Vice Chair Steven Curtis Chapman on a phenomenal 50 No. 1 Songs! We celebrate with you and stand in awe of this astounding accomplishment. Thank you for giving your time, gifts, and so much more to further the work of Show Hope and to further God’s kingdom!
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