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?

Testimonial Videos

Here are a few links I found both for questions to ask and also how to make videos like this. I will try to distill this information into some thoughts on specific questions:

Questions to ask:

Personal Testimony Questionnaire - these are for a personal Christian testimony, but many could be adapted to be used for adoption and what Christ is doing in their life

Baptism Videotaping Questions - There are some good things here too.

How to's:

How to shoot a video testimonial - this link is great for ideas of how to approach video testimonials, how to tag team, and more.

Good examples:

Rackspace - not a Christian testimonial, but nicely edited and well put together

Changing lives, one by one

Here is a video taken by some people that travelled to Africa (and even had to make their own road to get into the village). They changed the lives of a few children.

Adoption and Suffering

I never thought about the correlation between adoption and suffering. This is an interesting perspective in this article.

Waiting Well

Here's a great post from T4A on our waiting for our spiritual adoption and waiting well for adoption of kids.

T4A and Ethiopia

Sarah, I thought of you on this - it's a trip Together for Adoption is doing in Ethiopia.

The Center for Adoption Medicine

I came across this website, and it looks to be a great resource on the medical side for adoption. They are doctors in Seattle, and there is a wealth of information on attachment, fetal alcohol, transitions, and so much more.

Ex-Orphans Unleashed

Here's a video from Russell Moore that is a great summary of the gospel of adoption.

Ex-Orphans Unleashed from Russell Moore on Vimeo.

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10 Ways Every Christian Can Care for the Orphan and Waiting Child

Here's a Family Life poster on 10 ways every Christian can care for the orphan and waiting child.

Facts about Children in Foster Care in Washington

There were 10,323 children in the foster care system in Washington on July 31, 2008. Here is a link to that and more facts about children in foster care in Washington.

Together for Adoption

Together for Adoption (T4A) is amazing! Here's an excerpt on who they are:

WHAT IS TOGETHER FOR ADOPTION?

Together for Adoption (T4A) sponsors adoption conferences that focus primarily on vertical adoption (i.e., God adopting us in Christ), with a secondary focus on its implications for orphan care and horizontal adoption (i.e., couples adopting children).  In fulfillment of our objectives, we desire to see conference attendees walk away from a T4A event:

• understanding why it is that vertical adoption is the highest blessing of the gospel
• rejoicing afresh in the gospel
• moved to act on James 1:27 both locally and globally

This would be a great website to look at more before we meet together.

Here is a list of articles found on another page:

The Forgotten Part of James 1:27 (Part One / Part Two) by Dan Cruver
True Religion: A Gospel-Centered Look at James 1:27 by Dan Cruver
“Abba! Father!” and Hearing the Orphan’s Cry by Dan Cruver
Planting Gospel Seeds: Why You Should Support Together for Adoption by Dan Cruver
______________________________

Our Tragedy and God’s Gift of Adoption: A Tribute in Honor of Maria Sue Chapman and My Son Daniel by Dan Cruver
“Abba! Father!” and Transethnic Adoption by Dan Cruver
Adoption and Our Triune God by Dan Cruver 
Adoption’s Assurance by Dan Cruver
Counseling the Adopted Child by Julie Smith Lowe
Glorifying the Father of the Fatherless by Jason Kovacs
Our Goal at Together for Adoption by Dan Cruver
The Christian Doctrine of Adoption by Kevin Twit
The First Title of the Spirit by Dr. Howard Griffith
The Necessity of Adoption by Dan Cruver
The Prayers of Joint-heirs by Jay T. Collier
What God has done in Adoption by Dan Cruver

Kingdom Kids

Here is the website for Kingdom Kids.

Adoption and the vision/mission of the church

Here is a list from LifeSong's on adoption funds and the vision/mission of the church. We could take this list and adapt in for our vision/mission and justification to Craig.

• Evangelize the lost: Adoption is evangelism at its core…Bringing the mission field home, where children are loved, cared for, and discipled to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Edify the saved: Adoption Fund challenges, encourages, and enables Believers to put their faith in action, by stepping out in faith to adopt (fulfilling God’s commands in scripture). The process also provides an opportunity for couples to develop relationships with other Christians as they seek prayer and financial support.
• Minister to those in need: There are millions of children waiting for forever families who would like to adopt them, but just can’t because of the financial barrier. By helping to reduce that barrier we are helping to rescue those children who are trapped in the cycle of orphan life.
• Be a Conscience in the community: As the Church becomes obedient to God’s commands concerning the fatherless, the community will see Jesus Christ is alive and working in the lives of His people to care for those children who can't care for themselves.
  

Source

Foster Care Activities

Here is a list of foster care activities that are and aren't allowed. This provides some answers to some of the questions we have discussed.

Establishing an Orphan Ministry - Family Life Today

Here is an outline from Family Life today on establishing an orphan ministry at your church. Sarah, is this based on the book your read?

Launch an Orphans Ministry in Your Church

If you are like so many others, you have a passion to help mobilize your local church on behalf of the orphan but may not be sure where to start.  If so, we want to help.

The following represents an overview of eight steps you can use to help your church get involved in caring for orphans.  This overview is adapted from a FamilyLife resource entitled Launching an Orphans Ministry in Your Church.

STEP 1: Approach a key leader with your vision

In order to start the process, someone in a key position of leadership needs to know your intentions and have the opportunity to guide your efforts.  You will need to find the right leader in your church and help them to understand both your desire to start an orphans ministry and your intentions to assemble a team of people and a plan of action.

The Big Ideas

• Identify the right church leader to approach
• Cast a vision for orphans ministry
• Ask this leader for ongoing insight as you proceed

STEP 2: Identify passionate families to join you in prayer

There are likely people in your church right now who would love to give their time and talents to the needs of the orphan.  Your job is to identify them and then lead them to earnestly seek God’s direction for their next steps.

The Big Ideas

• Consider likely candidates
• Invite them to come together
• Pray together for God’s invitation for your church in orphans ministry

STEP 3: Dream together about the possibilities

Through the process of seeking God’s will and talking with your team, there will be many ideas and dreams that come to mind.  Collect those ideas and prayerfully begin to determine what God has put on the heart of your team.

The Big Ideas

• Ask “What if?”
• Identify common themes
• Learn the God-given passions of your team

STEP 4: Determine your channels of orphans ministry

At this point, some ideas will have surfaced regarding the general direction your ministry will go.  You will find yourself moving toward at least one of the three channels of orphans ministry, if not all three: (1) orphan care, (2) adoption – international private domestic, and (3) foster care and foster-care adoption.

The Big Ideas

• Evaluate your church’s current situation as it relates to orphans ministry
• Investigate the three channels of orphans ministry
• Identify points of synergy with other outreaches in your church

STEP 5: Plan for the strategies of your ministry

Look at your current situation and your long term goals and determine the strategies that will best accomplish the objectives God has given you.  These strategies can be categorized into five modes: (1) prayer, (2) physical needs, (3) financial assistance, (4) education, awareness, and recruitment, and (5) support ministry.  Each of these modes can be executed in the context of the three channels discussed in step 4.

The Big Ideas

• Begin with the end in mind
• Set objectives and strategies for the next three years
• Don’t stop praying!

STEP 6: Establish a leadership structure

Now it is time to formalize the leadership structure of your proposed ministry and to assign specific leadership roles.

The Big Ideas

• Discover if your church has a prescribed leadership structure for new ministries
• Investigate other ministries in your church that are led effectively
• Build your structure and your team

STEP 7: Develop a formal proposal for church leadership

You have the basic building blocks to assemble a good plan for your church leaders to consider.  Now you need to merge everything you have developed into one cohesive and well-conceived plan that you will present to the key leaders in your church for their approval and blessing (pastoral staff, elders, deacons, board of trustees, etc.).

The Big Ideas

• Craft your proposal
• Carefully plan your presentation
• Ask for your leadership’s blessing

STEP 8: Implement first initiatives, engage the entire church and watch God work

The launch of your church’s orphans ministry is an exciting time.  Engaging the entire church at this stage is key to gaining momentum and building your ministry.  Once you have launched, it is time to implement your first initiatives, work in partnership with others, and celebrate what God does.

The Big Ideas

• Plan your “launch Sunday”
• Announce a church-wide orphans project
• Do the small things with excellence, keep praying and get ready to hang on!

A  full discussion of these eight steps and some tools that will help you implement them can be found in the bookLaunching an Orphans Ministry in Your Church produced by FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans.  This book also includes a vision casting DVD that you can use to help others understand how God is working in churches across the country on behalf of orphans.  To order your book and the included DVD, order online now or call 1-800-FLTODAY.

 Source

And here is a great video from Family Life Today's orphan ministry that talks about churches making a difference in orphan care.

vision statement thoughts

Sarah,

I am chewing on your idea for the vision statement. My first question is: what is our focus for His Heart? Is it on churches? Empowering families to be the visible gospel? Kids in crisis? Or?

I have looked up vision/mission statements from other organizations to try to sort out some thoughts, and it seems that many of the vision statements have something to do with kids/families and who our heart is for, and the mission is more tactical and how we accomplish our vision (i.e. "being the visible gospel of Christ" or "through the body of Christ").

Let me know what you think. I'm sure there are a lot of other vision/mission statements, so feel free to add more if that is helpful, but here are some that I have found from other organizations:

• 4Kids of South Florida

  Vision: A Home for Every Child in Crisis

  Mission: Providing Hope...For Kids in Crisis ...One Child at a Time.  Protection    Provision    Permanent Solutions

• Hope for 100

  Mission: Hope for 100 exists to challenge and support local churches to obey God's Word by providing loving, Christian homes for 100 children through adoption or foster care.

• Project 1.27

  Vision: “No Waiting Children in Colorado foster care by 2014″

  Mission: Project 1.27 is “a Ministry from the Churches of Colorado to the Orphans of Colorado”. In fulfillment of a Godly calling, we serve children by producing successful adoptions between families in church communities and legally free children in the Colorado foster care system. We recruit, train, and support adoptive parents, support teams, churches, counties, and other partners to provide hope for all children and benefit our state and society.

• The Call

  Immediate Vision: No waiting children in Pulaski County by November 2009.

  Mission: To educate, equip and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and a hope for the children in foster care.

• Bethany Christian Services

  Mission: Bethany Christian Services manifests the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting and enhancing the lives of children and families through quality social services.

• The Faith Connection

  Statement on Home Page: We are helping churches help children in foster care.

• Casey Family Programs

  Statement on home page: Casey Family Programs provides and improves - and ultimately prevents the need for - foster care.

• Antioch Adoptions

  Mission: To place infants and children regardless of ethnicity, age or special needs into loving Christian adoptive homes, and to remove barriers to adoption - financial, perceptual, and practical

• Embrace

  Tagline: A mission to reclaim the care of orphans by the church

  Welcome page: Embrace is a community of like minded families, individuals, and churches passionate about the needs and care of orphans in America.

• Christian Alliance for Orphans

  Vision: Every orphan experiencing God’s unfailing love and knowing Jesus as Savior

  Mission: Motivate and unify the body of Christ to live out God's mandate to care for the orphan

• iCare Foundation

  Tagline: Every Child in a Loving Home

• Tapestry

  About page intro: Tapestry is a community of families and individuals that are connected in some way or another by the common bonds of adoption and foster care.

vision statement

We still need a vision statement. What do you think about--
"Empowering churches to help children in need"
I think this is what Safe Families uses but I like it because it is general enough to include Compassion, Foster Care, Safe Families, and Adoption and doesn't speak only to the adoptive families themselves but would address the whole church as being part of the effort. Thoughts?

Katie Couric's coverage of Safe Families is really great.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5023967n?source=search_video

Orphans in Washington

As of 2006, there were 2,361 orphans in Washington State waiting for adoption. I'm working on getting more information for different parts of the state and more current information, but we definitely know there is a need right here!

I found this source and this one for this information.

Prayer Guide

Here is a great prayer guide. It is specifically directed for prayer vigils for children in foster care, but there is a lot of cross over to Safe Families and adoption as well.

There are specific things to pray for regarding the workers, families, children, and the church, and the prayer needs they lay out cover the whole spectrum (pre-foster to post-adoption).

I see this as a great resource in helping our people know how to pray.

Adoption in God's Story of Redemption

Here is a very interesting talk on the theology of adoption from the Together for Adoption (T4A) conference by Dan Cruver (T4A Director). It is a fascinating discussion on the idea that adoption is vertical with God before it is horizontal with others. I haven't finished it yet, but it is great. 

Scriptures & Theology of Adoption

I am interested in finding Scripture references and information on our adoption in Christ, as well as being chosen, taking care of the orphan, and anything else along those lines.

Here are some references, as well as notes from this blog, that relate to our adoption in Christ. Please comment and add your own Scriptures that you have found as well.

Ephesians 1:5 Note:

1:5 predestined. Previously ordained or appointed to some position. God’s election of Christians (v. 4) entails his predestining them to something—in this case to adoption as sons (see also v. 11; Rom. 8:29-30). Hence, election and predestination in this context refer to God’s decision to save someone. All Christians, male and female, are “sons” in the sense of being heirs who will inherit blessings from their Father in heaven. Paul qualifies and stresses God’s plan and initiation of redemption with the phrase according to the purpose of his will here and elsewhere in the passage (Eph. 1:9, 11). God cannot be constrained by any outside force, and his inexorable will for believers is to pour out his grace and goodness on them in Christ Jesus.

Romans 9:4 Note:

9:4 In vv. 4-5 the great privileges of Israel are listed. The six blessings here can be divided into two parallel lists of three . . . The Israelites became God’s adopted people when God saved them from Egypt . . .”

Galatians 4:5 and 4:4-7 Notes:

4:5 Paul’s adoption imagery probably picks up the OT concept of God calling Israel his “son” and combines this with the Roman notion of adopting a son (usually already a grown man) in order to designate him as the heir to all the family wealth (see also note on 3:26).

4:6-7 because you are sons. Because Christians are now sons and “of age,” they are in a position to receive the inheritance, beginning with the promisedSpirit of his Son. Abba is the Aramaic word for “father” (cf. Rom. 8:14-17).

Romans 8:15 and 8:23 Notes:

8:15 Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are adopted as sons into God’s family, as evidenced by the Spirit that cries out within them that God is their father. sons. See not on Gal. 3:26. Abba is the Aramaic word for Father. Paul’s use of the term likely stems from Jesus’ addressing God as Abba (Mark 14:36).

8:23 God’s people also groan and long for the completion of his saving work. The tension is seen here between the already and not yet in Paul’s theology. Christians already have the firstfruits of the Spirit, but they still await the day of their final adoption when their bodies are fully redeemed and they are raised from the dead. Their adoption has already occurred in a legal sense (v. 15), and they already enjoy many of its privileges, but here Paul uses “adoption” to refer to the yet greater privilege of receiving perfect resurrection bodies.

Here are some similar notes from another source on the scriptural basis for adoption:

Here is a brief overview of adoption’s marking function in the grand story of redemption:

Act One: In Ephesians 1:4-5, Paul states that in love God the Father “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” This is really quite amazing: adoption’s marking function began before God created the universe. Even before the earth existed God marked us out (i.e., predestined us) for the great privilege of being His children through adoption. Adoption was not a divine afterthought. It was in God’s mind even before the dawning of human history. One amazing truth we learn from Paul’s words here, as John Piper has said, is that “adoption is greater than the universe.”

Act Two: Given Israel’s central role in the unfolding story of God’s work of redemption, adoption’s importance within the story of salvation can be inferred from Romans 9:4 where Paul identifies adoption as one of the great privileges that Israel enjoyed as God’s chosen people. He writes, “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” Scholars believe that Israel received adoption, becoming God’s corporate son, when God constituted them a nation at Mt. Sinai, three months after He delivered His people from Egypt (See “Understanding the Love of Adoption” for more on Israel’s adoption). It is very significant that adoption shows up at this key moment within the unfolding story of redemption.

Act Three: In Galatians 4:4-5, referring to the wonderful climax of the story of redemption, Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (emphasis mine). Paul identifies adoption as the grand purpose or objective of redemption. He could not have written it any more clearly. God sent His Son to redeem us so that we might be adopted! God the Father sent His eternal and natural Son so that we could become His adopted sons. Once again, adoption shows up at a key time—the climactic time—within the unfolding story of redemption.

Act Four: As I have mentioned a couple times already, adoption plays a leading role from before the beginning of the story of redemption (Ephesians 1:4-5) all the way to the consummation of redemption’s story when all of God’s adopted children enjoy the full privileges of their adoption on the new earth. In Romans 8:23, Paul writes, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (emphasis mine). Paul identifies the redemption or glorification of our bodies as the consummation of our adoption. God, as it were, finalizes our adoption as sons when the story of redemption reaches its intended goal.

While the word adoption is only used five times in Scripture, its importance is established by the leading role it plays within the story of God’s gracious work of redemption. As we grow in our understanding of adoption’s central role within the grand story of redemption, we will find ourselves thinking vertically about adoption (i.e., God’s adopting us) before we think horizontally (i.e., Christians adopting children). As a result, our experience of horizontal adoption and our passion for orphan care will be greatly enriched.

Defining the Foster Care Experience

This recording is amazing, and I love the way they walk through Maslow's hierarchy of needs in relation to kids that have special needs. It is by Bruce and Denise Kendrick (with Embrace), foster parents to over 20 kids in 6 years, and now have adopted 2 kids in addition to their 3 biological children.

The Top 10 . . . of Top 10 Lists for Foster Parents

This is a great article from the folks at Embrace that has lots of good information for foster or adopt in a very succinct way.

My favorite items from the "10 things you thought you would never say" section is "I am his foster father, and No, I don't have his birth certificate or shot record. But he will be starting school today." It is so important to be our children's advocate.

There are some other really helpful ideas, like putting their picture and school work on the fridge within a few days, asking how they like their hair done and styling it that way, and so much more.

Be sure to look for 10 behaviors to watch for, 10 books to read, 10 helpful items we love, and 10 strengths you never knew you had, and much, much more.

What is That in Your Hand? - Dr. Karyn Purvis

Another great Dr. Karyn Purvis video. This had some repeat elements from the other video I posted, but also has some great information of things we each have available as tools for working with kids.

Some of the things she talks about include eye contact, do overs, and more.

What is That in Your Hand? - Dr. Karyn Purvis from Tapestry on Vimeo.

Effective Discipline Strategies for Adoptive & Foster Families - Dr. Karyn Purvis

This is a great video. KC & I watched it together, and found a lot of great ideas we can begin with our kids.

Effective Discipline Strategies for Adoptive & Foster Families - Dr. Karyn Purvis from Tapestry on Vimeo.

another blog by the same name

Noticed the original His Heart for Orphans has a blog with some pretty cool ideas! www.hisheartfororphans.blogspot.com

Opening video from the Christian Alliance for Orphans opening night

Summit V - Why are you here? from Tapestry on Vimeo.

Thanks for help with the jars

Thanks for all your help with the jars last night. You guys are amazing!

Tapestry

I am fascinated by the Tapestry ministry at Irving Bible Church. Specifically, I am most interested in the Small Groups and the Traveling Companions components, as well.

Here is some information I took from the conference as well as resources they have online. There is so much more information, but this is a start for some of the key areas I see:

• Practical Ideas for Adoption & Foster Care Ministries: this is my favorite article which describes some great ideas for a ministry and things we may want to focus on. They put a strong priority on families connecting in small group settings, building a ministry around the needs and not the other way around, using stories as a powerful way to connect with other's minds and hearts (but carefully vetting their stories to make sure there is a balance or reality and hope), having fun, and not forgetting about the guys (So Now What Do We Do? Practical Ideas for Adoption and Foster Care Ministries)
  
• Traveling Companions: this is a very important program that helps families providing foster care or adoption a means to gather the support around them that they need to be successful. It is not creating a giant call center with people's needs on one side and a list of people on the other side that are willing to help. Based on my understanding, it is a way that you gather support from family and friends so there are a few families that provide the majority of the support you need and you develop really deep and strong relationships. I am getting more information from both Tapestry and Embrace that have more information, but some information can be found here. I hope to have more information on this piece soon.
  
• Tapestry's Focus: education, support, and community involvement. They originally began with more of an adoption focus, and now incorporate foster care as well. (Tapestry's Ministry Plan from 2006)
• Challenges: Getting key leadership on board and focusing steadily on what God is calling us to (No One Said This Would Be Easy: Challenges to Expect in Adoption and Foster Care Church Ministry)

I look forward to hearing your comments on this and also seeing more of the items that you are finding. God is doing some great things!

Welcome

Welcome to the His Heart blog. This is intended as a resource for our team and others considering what it means for them to have Christ's heart for children.

Please view it as a resource, and give your comments, as this is meant to be a living and breathing way to inform each other of things we learn.