Membership in CAFO not only benefits your organization—it’s also a chance to grow and guide a movement together. In 2025, there are many ways to be an active part of this community!
Discover new ways your organization can get involved, build your team, lend your expertise, and find community. As a CAFO member, you are a part of united work that’s impacting churches, families, and lives across the US and in 124 countries.
Along with exclusive opportunities, this membership booklet will help you find your place within the CAFO community in 2025.
welcome,
CAFO Members!
I want to express our profound gratitude for your commitment—first to a life rooted deep in Christ and then to the transformative work we share under the umbrella of our Alliance.
Each of you contributes something unique and essential that we all need. This community's strength is evidenced by the dynamic collaborations, robust resources, transformative work, and enduring friendships built over the past 20 years. And the best is yet to come!
We are excited to introduce this 2025 Membership Guide, designed to help you deepen your involvement and expand your impact. It’s packed full of delights—including your Summit member code, year-round benefits, and “just for you” surprise gifts and resources. Please feel free to share this with your team. Enjoy!
Together, may we step boldly into these fresh days ahead with HOPE—as branches drawing strength from the same Vine, moving not by our own urgency but by His divine wisdom and timing. It is a privilege to serve you this year!
Warmly,
Elizabeth Correll Vice President of Engagement
A Welcome from our President, Jedd Medefind
Membership Highlights at-a-glance
SUMMIT BENEFITS
Grow your team.
Grow your ministry.
New this year! Free access to Summit’s highest-rated workshops.
Workshop Proposals for CAFO2026 will open up in December.
Sponsorship Opportunities
SOUL CARE
Vibrant leadership springs from healthy souls.
Spiritual Formation Calendar
Soul & Strategy Retreat for CEOs
Discover all Summit benefits See more details
SPEAKERS BUREAU
Offer a speaker as a resource for those seeking compelling voices for events.
Speakers are recommended by one or more CAFO member organizations.
Access Speaker Bureau
Speaker Bureau Application
New this year!
VIP MEET-N-GREET
You’re invited to a special VIP Meet-N-Greet in August. Invites will be sent out to your main contact in July.
New this year!
SUMMIT BOOKSTORE TITLES
Wondering what books were sold at the Summit bookstore this last year? Explore the list of our curated titles.
Also, new this year: Members receive 10% off at the on-site CAFO2025 bookstore!
Explore Bookstore Titles
Initiative Opportunities
FIND YOUR PLACE
Everyone has something to give. Everyone has something to receive.
Find your place in the CAFO Community by connecting more deeply with the collective work of CAFO initiatives.
CAFO ACADEMY
Members receive a discounted rate on courses and offerings in the CAFO Academy throughout the entire year! Please enter the code (25CAFMEMBER-50) when registering.
Discover the CAFO Academy
CAFO Membership year-round
SUMMER
Plan to leverage CAFO2025 to grow your team and ministry
Attend the Membership Meet-N-Greet
Engage in Initiative-specific cohorts, trainings & webinars (year-round)
Enroll in the newly released Spiritual Formation Calendar
FALL
Attend CAFO2025 in Houston, Texas
Review the new 2026 Member Guide upon renewal
WINTER/SPRING
Explore sponsorship opportunities and reserve your spot
Attend Soul & Strategy (for CEOs)
Submit CAFO2026 Workshop Ideas
Announcing the 21st CAFO Summit, an experience like no other!
CAFO member organizations’ leadership and staff, along with more than 2,000 leaders, pastors, foster and adoptive parents, and professionals from over 40 countries, will again come together for CAFO2025 Summit in Houston, TX on October 1-3, 2025.
You are invited! Gather with your teams and other like-minded organizations for invaluable connection, team building, and collaboration for effective ministry and vibrant living. You, your team, and the families you serve will leave equipped, encouraged and strengthened.
Learn more at CAFO2025.org
Maximize Your Organization at CAFO2025
STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAM
More organizations are equipping and encouraging their teams through Summit. Ask about large group discounts for 10+, 30+, and 50+. Reserve a room for a strategy meeting and/or a meal.
Special “TEAM TUESDAY” packages are available for member groups coming early for soul care or strategic planning. Packages include a meeting room, special soul care session, intensive discounts, and more!
INVEST IN YOUR BOARD
Host your board at Summit through expert-led leadership content and mastermind sessions. It’s a great way to immerse those who shape your mission in rich learning and growth as a team!
SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
Sponsor investments help make the unity and learning of Summit possible— while also benefiting your organization with visibility and trust among leading advocates and churches. Find out more information about CAFO2025
Sponsorship Opportunities and then discover your member pricing and choose the package that's best for you.
COLLABORATIVE INTENSIVES & WORKSHOPS
Lead and actively participate in instructional sessions and collaborative forums. Connect with professionals working beside you around the globe. Key tracks include:
• Effective Church Engagement for Nonprofit Leaders
• Family Strengthening and Preservation
• Fundraising & Development
• Help for Adoptive & Foster Families
• Helping Communities Care for Children & Families in US Foster Care
• Improving Outcomes for Children in Care
• Launching and Leading Church-Based Ministries
• Maximizing the Impact of Your Organization
• Moving Toward Family Solutions
• Strengthening the Soul for Lifelong Service
• Supporting Youth in Transition to Adulthood
CAFO2025 Summit benefits
CAFO2025
Sponsorship
Opportunities
Sponsorships help strengthen teams, equip leaders, refresh parents, connect and train advocates and staff.
Explore Sponsorship View Membership Packages
CAFO2026 Workshop
Submissions
The workshop submission link will be released in December. Members receive priority in consideration.
CAFO2025 Collaborations
Each year, CAFO members gather at the annual CAFO Summit and throughout the year to share and receive through peer connection, deep-dive training and a range of critical issue collaborations. Join collaborative opportunities from these topical groups and within every CAFO initiative.
FUNDRAISING
Connect with other fundraising professionals as we learn and grow together. We'll explore strategies and tactics based on Biblical principles, while also sharing challenges, successes, and troubleshooting together. We root everything in a vision for development work as an opportunity for Christian discipleship.
Learn more at cafo.org/grow
COMMUNICATIONS COLLABORATIVE
Gather with fellow Communications professionals at Summit to strengthen and encourage one another in the trade while building the global movement. This collaborative is a place for connection, tool-sharing, inspiration, and sharpening in effective marketing practices.
Learn more at summit.cafo.org
AGING OUT MODELS
Find assistance and share successful models as part of the Aging Out Initiative, identifying how the Church can support healthy life transitions for youth aging out of global orphan care and US foster care.
Learn more at cafo.org/aging-out
CHURCH ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Join with church engagement officers and other executives to learn and share effective strategies for engaging churches—both to enlist them in your mission and to strengthen theirs.
Learn more at cafo.org/purereligion
CAFO2024 Workshop Recordings
In honor of our twentieth anniversary, enjoy a sampling of CAFO2024’s highest-rated workshops. This complimentary package (valued at $99) is available here. (Discount will be automatically applied at checkout.)
A Kinship Adoptee's Perspective
Building Safe, Welcoming, and Fun Kids and Student Ministries
Displacing Shame: Serving Children and Families Experiencing Problematic Sexual Behavior
From Numbers to Narratives
From Students to Seniors: Growing an Everyone Can Do Something Culture in Your Church
Good Grief
How to Stay Faithful through the Hard: Gospel Hope for Faithful Ministry
Let's Play: Promote Productivity and Protect Staff from Burnout
Mentoring Teens & Young Adults into a Thriving Adulthood
The Practice of Forgiveness: A Powerful Contributor to Human Flourishing
What Do I Do When Loving my Child Feels Very Hard?
Wisdom from the Trenches
CAFO Member Organizations Only
Biblical Solutions for Human Conflict: How to Reconcile with Others for a Healthy Work Culture
What's Good and What's Missing from Our Current Trauma-Informed Care?
Your Organization as a Place of Spiritual Formation Wisdom From the Trenches
CAFO2024 Bookstore Titles
By popular request! Enjoy this compilation of CAFO2024 bookstore titles.
FAMILY
Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel
Drew Hill
Dad Tired and Loving It Jerrad Lopes
The Connected Parent Lisa Qualls & Karyn Purvis
Healing for Every Heart in Adoption
Jodi Jackson Tucker
Honey for a Child's Heart Gladys Hunt
Intentional Father Jon Tyson
Last Child in the Woods Richard Louv
Mama Bear Apologetics: Guide to Sexuality
Hillary Morgan Ferrer
Parent Differently Kathy Koch
Why Children Matter Douglas Wilson
CAFO AUTHORS
Becoming Home Jedd Medefind
Created to Heal Nicole Wilke
Everyone Can Do Something Jason Johnson
The Foster Journey More Than Enough
Effectively Engaging Churches Jason Johnson
Missionwise Jason Johnson & Nicole Wilke
Overcoming Nicole Wilke
Reframing Fostercare Jason Johnson
Until There's More Than Enough Jason Weber
Upended Jedd Medefind
ON BECOMING
Beholding & Becoming Ruth Chou Simmons
Breath as Prayer Jennifer Tucker
The Common Rule Justin Whitmel Earley
Every Moment Holy 3 Douglas McKelvey & Ned Bustard
The Good Gift of Weakness Eric Schumacher
Great Gain of Godliness Thomas Watson
The Great Transformation Maurice Roberts
Habits of the Household Justin Whitmeal Early
Letters from the Mountain Ben Palpant
Made for People Justin Whitmel Earley
Moving Forward Everett Worthington
Now and Not Yet Ruth Chou Simmons
On Getting out of Bed Alan Noble
Practicing the Way John Mark Comer
Real Love for Real Life Andi Ashworth
Renovations of the Heart Dallas Willard
Spirit of Disciplines Dallas Willard
Spiritual Warfare & Deliverance Prayers
Deborah Eccles
Surprised by Jesus Dane Ortlund
Thankful for my Scars Trent Taylor
Transfiguration and Transformation.
Hywel Jones
Undone Philip Yancey
MAINSTAGE AUTHORS
Filled Jamie Finn
Foster the Family Jamie Finn
Presence Matters Beth Guckenberger
Warrior of Eden Beth Guckenberger
Fierce Jesus Lisa Harper
Jesus Lisa Harper
Overextended and Loving Most of It Lisa Harper
Adorning the Dark Andrew Peterson
Staying Close Dennis Rainey
The Deepest Place Curt Thompson
The Soul of Desire Curt Thompson
The Soul of Shame Curt Thompson
THERAPY & TRAUMA
The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt
Bad Therapy Abigail Schrier
Caring for Kids from Hard Places
Jayne Schooler & David Schooler
Children and Complex Trauma Chuck Geddes
Raising Mentally Strong Kids Daniel Amen &
Charles Fay
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dream Matthew Walker
LEADERSHIP
Atomic Habits James Clear
Making Numbers Count Chip Heath & Karla Starr
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS
Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride Nicole Wilke
Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn
Jason Weber
God Made All of Me Justin & Lindsey Holcomb
God Made Me Unique Joni & Friends
The Heart Who Wanted to Sing
Beth Guckenberger
Whose I Am Jackie Darby
CHILDREN'S CHAPTER BOOKS
The Golden Key George MacDonald
The Wingfeather Saga Andrew Peterson
Untangling Hope Erin Adams
DISTINCT CHALLENGES
Does God Care about Gender Identity
Samuel Ferguson
Good Pictures Bad Pictures Kristen A Jensen
Good Pictures Bad Pictures, Jr Kristen A Jensen
CAFO2025 Summit discounts
Registration Discount
Save $50 on individual registration when you enter the following Member Code: 25CAFMEMBER-50
Bookstore Discount
All members will receive 10% off their purchase at the CAFO2025 bookstore. Coupons will be emailed prior to Summit.
The CAFO Community,find your place!
Everyone has something to give. Everyone has something to receive.
CAFO Global Network unites more than 50 locally-led and globally-informed networks of churches, NGO and agencies to see every child in a loving family, embraced within a collaborative community. Together, these diverse networks affirm a shared vision, bringing focus to a global movement of Christians caring for vulnerable children and families and strengthening the work of local believers around the world.
See where our networks serve: cafo.org/global/network-map
Better Together A GLOBAL VISION
Every child in a loving family, embraced within a collaborative community.
Strengthen your International Staff spiritually, professionally and relationally through training and peer connections.
Foster Collaborative Communities among churches and NGOs through regional strategy discussions, mutual learning opportunities and connections with global networks where you serve.
Cultivate Competency throughout your global staff and partners through best practice training and resources.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR GLOBAL TEAM
Participate in Virtual Collaborate sessions on Community Mapping (January) and Healthy Conflict (March). Member staff are free!
Attend Collaborate Global Forum, a preSummit intensive in Houston, focusing on Effective Collaboration. $50 discount for members!
Host a Small Group Collaborate+ CONNECT in your international locations, including a live simulcast of Collaborate and facilitation guides. Discount for member organizations!
*Sponsor investments make Collaborate possible for global leaders… while also benefitting your organization with visibility and trust among global leaders, networks and NGOs. Ask us about Sponsorship options at global@cafo.org
More Than Enough is a community united by our faith and committed to helping churches care for children and families in foster care. Together, we are determined to achieve our shared vision of more than enough for children and families before, during, and beyond foster care in every US county. The More Than Enough Community is facilitated by CAFO, which supports the Community to multiply on-the-ground care for children and families.
The Community pursues a shared strategy to provide more than enough loving homes for every child in foster care—including foster, adoptive, and supported biological families. We believe that local networks of passionate churches, organizations, and advocates working together can fill the gaps that will make the biggest difference for children and families in every one of the 3,143 counties in the US.
As part of the More Than Enough Community, you'll find the resources and support you need to multiply the impact of your time, people, and funding. You can get started with the resources below.
THE MORE THAN ENOUGH FELLOWSHIP
The More Than Enough Fellowship is a funded launch cohort that will guide you and other collaborators in your US community through the earliest stages of working together to provide more than enough for children and families in foster care. Alongside matching funding, you’ll find coaching and resources to help you and your fellow collaborators create greater community involvement, build stronger relationships, and get better results for children and families.
THE MORE THAN ENOUGH PODCAST
The More Than Enough Podcast connects you to the people, ideas, and tools that will help you and your community work together to move from not enough to more than enough for children and families in foster care.
The Pure Religion Project aims to inspire and equip God’s people to live the “pure religion” described in the book of James and invited throughout Scripture. Through world-class resources, supportive community and ongoing connection and coaching, you don’t have to wonder “how” anymore – you can lead your church with assurance, hope and the help you need.
The Pure Religion Project serves and supports churches and organizations nationwide, including a global network of churches and 295+ member organizations, through best-in-class resourcing, customized coaching and cohort-based learning on effective principles and practices for impactful engagement.
FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION
Wherever you are on your journey of engaging and mobilizing churches, the Pure Religion Project stands ready to help. This initiative empowers and equips organizations and local networks to build effective, trusting and mutually-beneficial relationships with churches. Consider how you can give to this work (by offering resources, insights and best practices to others within the CAFO community), and receive from this work (by utilizing resources and coaching to help your team engage, resource and mobilize churches).
The Effectively Engaging Churches booklet offers insights and principles to help you partner well with churches and is a catalyst for further conversations and coaching. For communications about future church engagement cohorts, fill out this form.
FOR YOUR CHURCH
From courses to cohorts to coaching, find resources and relationships to help your church take its next best steps forward in ministry. Explore the one-of-a-kind Church Ministry Essentials on-demand learning platform, housing 10 modules on launching and leading a foster care, adoption or family support ministry in your church. Read Everyone Can Do Something, a short book of insights, ideas and implementable next steps to take in your ministry – now available in English and Spanish! Attend a group learning cohort to ask questions, share insights and glean wisdom from other church-based ministry leaders. Or, engage in a one-on-one coaching session with a seasoned church ministry leader who can help you gain the clarity and confidence to lead and scale the ministry opportunities God has entrusted to you.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025
Every year, thousands of Christians around the world join together on the second Sunday in November to honor God’s heart for the most vulnerable children and families among us.
Encourage your church to live out James 1:27 by engaging in foster care, adoption, wraparound family support or global orphan care on Pure Religion Sunday and throughout the year.
Celebrate all that God is already doing locally and globally, and invite your people to join Him in this work in the ways that are right for them.
Pure Religion Sunday looks different for each unique church and community around the world. Here we see both the diversity and the unity of the Body of Christ in action as churches engage in varied ways, yet are unified around a shared heart for vulnerable children and families.
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Each year, CAFO provides tools and resources to support organizations and churches in leveraging Pure Religion Sunday for deeper engagement in the community. These resources include the Pure Religion Sunday Field Guide, Leverage Booklet and customizable graphics – available in English and Spanish!
What if you could raise more funds, grow your ministry, and find joy in your development work all while helping givers know, love, and serve God more fully?
This is the goal of the Development & Discipleship initiative. CAFO partners with Mission Increase to offer free workshops, coaching, and training rooted in biblically-based fundraising principles and practices. Our goal is to help child-serving ministries raise more funds, make a deeper impact on children, and grow their relationships with champions.
Visit cafo.org/grow to sign up for free fundraising training, coaching, and resources to grow your fundraising capacity.
WORKSHOPS
Quarterly workshops cover biblically-based fundraising principles related to topics essential to growing a healthy fundraising ministry.
In 2025, workshop topics will include building relationships with donors, inviting participation from your champions, missioncentered communications and developing a healthy board.
COACHING
CAFO membership includes group and individual coaching for leaders and development staff, offering a more comprehensive and in-depth look at your fundraising opportunities and challenges.
In partnership with:
CAFO’s Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families equips and empowers you to serve orphaned and vulnerable children with clarity and confidence, wherever you are in the world. Caring for vulnerable children and families is important and meaningful work. Yet the challenges that arise each day and the complexities of determining what’s best for kids can quickly lead to overwhelm and uncertainty. We’re here to help.
We’ve done the work of curating resources and actionable strategies so you can confidently offer better care and see better outcomes for vulnerable children and families. The evidence-informed practices we offer are grounded in both a biblical perspective and comprehensive research so you can create meaningful change.
We offer learning courses, e-books, infographics, webinars, and other resources on many topics related to caring for vulnerable children and families around the world. Additionally, we have 50+ resources available in Spanish!
CORE ELEMENTS
The Core Elements program takes the guesswork out of caring for vulnerable children. By taking the self-assessment each year, program leaders are able to keep a pulse on organizational health across 21 key aspects of care and track growth over time. Think of it as a FREE opportunity to get the information and organizational support an outside consultant could provide for hundreds of dollars. On-demand courses related to each key aspect of care provide the knowledge and resources needed for improving care for children and families.
We strongly encourage CAFO Member Organizations to take advantage of the Core Elements program as you pursue excellence in caring for vulnerable children and families!
• Take the FREE 30-minute online self-assessment. (Available in both English and Spanish!)
• Receive a CAFO Member discount on registration for Core Elements courses.
• Register for a group discount to enroll 3+ staff members from your organization in any course for the price of an individual registration!
Learn more and get started with the Core Elements self-assessment today!
Join us on the journey of learning to serve children and families better…together.
Why this initiative?
We believe that foster and adoptive parents need renewed confidence that they have an indispensable role in the healing and health of their children—and want to ensure that they have tangible, day-to-day resources and practices for doing so.
How do we support your work?
The Institute draws from current research, proven models, and other expertise from across the CAFO community and beyond—providing insight and resources to help guide and support your efforts to serve and strengthen foster and adoptive families.
We curate and create excellent resources and trainings—grounded in scripture and high-quality research—to help you promote the long-term flourishing of Christian foster and adoptive families. These include:
• Online, print, and video content
• Webinar trainings and other virtual learning experiences
• Strategic in-person events, including the annual CAFO Summit
What principles shape Family Institute resources?
• A VIBRANT HOME - The home is an essential environment for healing and health. We want parents to be empowered to play a central role in God’s healing work in their children’s lives over the long haul.
• THE WHOLE PERSON - True health involves the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and relationships. We consider all aspects of a person to promote flourishing.
• THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - A life lived unto God is distinctively good, for children as well as adults. We emphasize Christian practices for the whole family amidst daily life within the home.
• SMALL HABITS - Positive outlooks and habits are formed over time by small, repeated actions. We emphasize simple practices—for both parents and children—that contribute to healing and health.
COMMUNICATIONS & advocacy
CHAMPION
ADVOCATES
CAFO Champion Advocates are passionate about reflecting God’s heart for the vulnerable and want to use their voice through personal advocacy to grow and guide the movement worldwide. Champion Advocates are equipped with resources to help them do this work more effectively and in community with others. This is an annual on-demand course with application and enrollment in February. However, CAFO Member organizations can invite employees or committed volunteers to jump in and receive these advocacy resources anytime during the year. Learn more at cafo.org/advocates
COMMUNICATIONS CONVERSATION COHORTS
Marketing and communications staff often feel overwhelmed and isolated in their roles as they navigate the complex world of serving vulnerable children and families in the ever-changing media and technology landscape. To help develop knowledge and build community, we gather every other month to discuss topics like branding, SEO, media relations, ethical storytelling, and more. Learn more and register for the next event at cafo.org/communications-calls.
LEADERS, LEARNERS & new staff
OVC ESSENTIALS COURSE
The OVC Essentials course provides foundational knowledge of key ideas and issues in the field of care for vulnerable children and families. This 10-week survey course blends conversation-based presentations from respected leaders with recommended articles, videos, and podcasts. It’s ideal for leaders and staff new to the field, lead volunteers, board members, and student interns. Ultimately, OVC Essentials helps lay a foundation for a lifetime of effective service.
Receive a discounted registration of $39 to the OVC Essential On-Demand course for your interns and staff ($99 registration for non-members). Provide an experience of foundational knowledge, shared learning, and personal enrichment to your team.
VIBRANT LEADERSHIP SPRINGS FROM
healthy souls
Jesus put it simply: good trees bear good fruit. The fruitfulness of your ministry hinges on nothing more than the health and vitality of your team. That's why CAFO puts a premium on helping leaders "grow down," developing practices that build deep health in body, mind, relationships, and spiritual life.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
The Spiritual Formation Calendar Experience makes it easy for leaders and their teams to explore biblically-rooted spiritual formation practices. Each month's content includes a short guide and video on one formation practice, an exploratory exercise, and questions to help teams process their experiences together. This guided experience, typically $99 for an organization/team, is offered to leaders of CAFO member organizations/churches in 2025 at a 50% discount! It is our gift to help teams grow more like Jesus together. Questions? Email spiritualformation@cafo.org
THE SOUL & STRATEGY RETREAT
The annual Soul & Strategy Retreat is for the CEOs/EDs of CAFO member organizations and their spouses. It's designed to cultivate deep refreshment, spiritual health, and meaningful peer friendships—and also to share vision and practical means to help leaders care well for the teams they lead. Through the generosity of several partners, we are able to offer a significant scholarship to each CEO/ED to help assist with the cost of the retreat. To request a scholarship or for more information, please reach out to spiritualformation@cafo.org.
resources FEATURED
These resources could be beneficial to you and your team. Click to access.
Better Together Vision Overview
CAFO Academy Courses
CAFO Brand Book
CAFO Job Board Submissions
CAFO Resource Library
Care Improvement Self-Assessment
Church Ministry Mini Booklets
Everyone Can Do Something
Fundraising Training and Coaching
Human Health and the Gifts of the Christian Life
Intern Submissions Board
Student Fellowship
Pure Religion Sunday Toolkits
Vision Starter Guide
JUSTICE AND THE INNER LIFE
PODCAST
The Justice and the Inner Life Podcast explores the life habits and spiritual practices that enable leaders to persevere—and even thrive—in the long, beautiful, difficult work of justice and mercy.
Hello Member Organizations!
I am so glad we are all journeying this road together in 2025. A significant part of my role is dedicated to supporting, helping, and caring for you as CAFO members. This involves helping you find and collaborate with “your people,” connecting you to a wealth of resources and tools, and ensuring you are 'in the know' with various initiative offerings. Beyond that, please don't hesitate to reach out if I can serve you in any way.
You can reach me at ashley.phelan@cafo.org and 559-305-3111 (PST).
