CAFO 2017 Mid-Year Report

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

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An introduction to the mid-year update

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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

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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.

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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

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C A F O 2 0 1 7

S U M M I T

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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+

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FROM MORE THAN

LEADERS, ADVOCATES, PASTORS, PARENTS & STUDENTS

COUNTRIES

EVERY AND

U.S. STATE

TO SERVE CHILDREN WISELY AND WELL

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Silent waiting and listening before God

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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

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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.

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IT’S ALL MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF STEWARDS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

learn more at cafo.org