Hero video from Embrace Texas

Here is an AMAZING video on how we can all be a hero for kids in need.

Hero from Denise Kendick on Vimeo.

Barnabas Team

Barnabas teams of some sort are found in many churches and organizations. In a quick search, here are a few items that came up regarding Barnabas Teams. They seem to have quite varied purposes, but the common theme is that they are used to encourage a person or group of people (Barnabas means "son of encouragement"):

• http://www.cmbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=56
  
• http://www.cmbc.org/images/file/b-teams_responsibilities.pdf
  
• http://www.fbcg.com/sm_barnabas
  
• http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/492/BarnabasTeam.pdf
  
• http://www.calvin.edu/faith/discipleship/barnabas/application.pdf
  
• http://www.eaganhillsyouth.org/go-deeper/barnabas-team
  
• http://www.africa4god.com/senders.htm
  
• http://www.fbchapnet.org/barnabas.html
  
• http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/acuwavc/org/22897333.html
  
• http://www.hinckley-baptist.com/content/outreach/barnabasTeam.html
  

This idea of a Barnabas team is along the lines of what I'm thinking of for our orphan ministry and something we could use for the followup / wrap piece. My brother and sister-in-law have a Barnabas team as missionaries through CMBC (the first two bullet item links), and it is so encouraging and helpful to them.

Great Video on Family Night Ideas - but also great as an idea for our testimonial videos

Here is an awesome video that would be an interesting format for testimonial videos if we end up doing a montage.

Family Nights from Carlos Whittaker on Vimeo.

A great adoption story

Here is some interesting information on a couple we met from Wenatchee, and their adoption story.

The orphan crisis

This article is eye opening - the international orphan crisis looks a little different than I had previously thought (and the definition of an orphan as being one who has lost just one parent.

Testimonial Video Questions

Here are some questions that I came up with:

• Your name
  
• How long have you been coming to North Shore Bible Church // or // How long have you lived in the Chelan/Manson area?
  
• What does a typical day in your family look like?
  
• Describe your spiritual journey.
  
• Do you ever think of yourself as adopted (spiritually)?
  
• What has your adoption/foster care journey been like? How did it begin?
  
• If you could thank God for just one incident or person in your life, what would it be? Why?
  
• What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to rise up to meet?

testimonial video

Ideas for Questions:

Is it easy or difficult for you to view God as your Father? Why?
Why do you think God has such a special place in his heart for orphans?
Why do you think God has such a special place in his heart for children?
Why do you think God has such a special place in his heart for the lost?
In what ways do you think orphans in the traditional sense and spiritual orphans are the same?
Do you remember when you first began viewing yourself as a child of God?
When you hear the word orphan, who do you think of?
What role do you see Jesus playing in your relationship with God?
If you ever think of yourself as an "ex-orphan" or "child of God" how does that make you feel?
How do you think our lives should be different from other people's as "ex-orphans?"
What does being a child of God mean to you?
In what ways would you like to better reflect what Christ has done for you as an adopted child?
Do you ever think of yourself as adopted?
How has your experience with being adopted or your earthly parents affected the way you perceive God as your Father?
How has the family of God helped you know God's love?
How has your family helped you know God better?
How have hurts or negative experiences with people in your life moved you further from God?
What have your children taught you about God?