Everyone Can Do Something: A Field Guide for Strategically Rallying Your Church Around the Orphaned and Vulnerable


Book Description

We're not all called to do the same thing, but we are all capable of doing something! When it comes to serving the orphaned and vulnerable, this can be the mantra of your church and the foundation of the foster care, adoption and orphan care ministry you establish - everyone can do something! Your church has the ability to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. The questions are not "can" you or "should" you, but "how" can you and "what" does that need to look like? That's what this book is about. Everyone Can Do Something is a strategic field-guide specifically designed to help your church rally around caring for the orphaned and vulnerable. In it you will discover how to: Clarify your message Make the problem relatable Connect people into a community of support Develop a strategic plan Use existing discipleship mechanisms in your church Chart a clear path of ministry "next steps" Plan and promote events ...and so much more! Whether you are launching a new foster care, adoption or orphan care ministry or leading an existing one, you'll discover the principles you need to take the next best steps for your church, your ministry and the families and children you are serving. For bulk orders of 10 or more books, visit www.everyonecandosomethingbook.com. Discounts apply.




Thriving Families


Book Description

A practical roadmap for foster and adoptive families Caring for children is deeply important to the heart of God, and adoption and foster care are important callings that connect to God’s heart for children and families. But this road isn’t always easy. It’s important that foster and adoptive parents prepare to address their children’s history of trauma, separation, and disrupted placements, which can lead to mental health, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. It is also important to understand how this journey shapes and influences our children. We cannot ignore the deep feelings and questions that children experience as they try to understand their story. How can we help them navigate their identity, and sit with them in the unknowns of their story or the grief and loss that comes up? ​ Drawing on the latest science and research on trauma, attachment, sensory processing difficulties, cultural competence, and grief and loss, authors Josh and Jenn Hook provide a trauma-informed approach to help adoptive and foster families—and the church called to care for the vulnerable in our midst—to help their children heal, grow, and thrive.




Replanted


Book Description

Many people embark on the journey of adoption and foster care but are unprepared for the challenges that await them along the way. Replanted takes an honest look at the joys and hardships that come with choosing this journey and provides a model of faith-based support made up of three parts to help families thrive: Soil, Sunlight, and Water. Soil, or emotional support, addresses the need for grace-filled settings where families can connect with other families who understand their experience. Sunlight, or informational support, focuses on obtaining helpful training to raise children who may have unique needs or challenges. Water, or tangible support, deals with concrete resources such as medical care, child care, and financial support. Throughout the book, the Replanted model is brought to life by stories and examples based on the clinical work and personal experiences of the authors. Their candid insight will serve families who are actively involved in adoption or foster care, as well as people who are eager to help support those families. Replanted affirms that with the right support system in place, parents can answer this sacred call not only with open hearts but also with their eyes wide open.




All in Orphan Care


Book Description

It was never God's intent for children to be without a family! This is why scripture says He assumes the role of father to the fatherless and He sets the lonely in families. This is the heart of God - a good, loving and gracious Father. This is also the basis of His mandate towards us, the Church, to care for vulnerable children and families around us. Our call to care for the vulnerable and orphaned is rooted in God's care of us through Jesus. That's what this book is about - the work of Christ on our behalf in the gospel. ALL IN Orphan Care is a six-session study guide designed to prepare and equip those exploring the call to foster care, adoption or some aspect of supporting families. This multi-faceted curriculum can be used in groups, classes or other equipping environments. It includes: Six sessions on theology, realistic expectations, confronting fears, clarifying your role, etc. Engaging group discussion guides Encouraging personal reflection questions Powerful stories from real-life foster and adoptive families Inspiring articles on some of the most commonly asked questions ...and so much more! For bulk orders of 20 or more books, visit www.allinorphancare.com. Discounts apply.




Orphan Justice


Book Description

Christians are clearly called to care for orphans, a group so close to the heart of Jesus. In reality, most of the 153 million orphaned and vulnerable children in the world do not need to be adopted, and not everyone needs to become an adoptive parent. However, there are other very important ways to help beyond adoption. Indeed, caring for orphaned and vulnerable children requires us to care about related issues from child trafficking and HIV/AIDS to racism and poverty. Too often, we only discuss or theologize the issues, relegating the responsibility to governments. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Based on his own personal journey toward pure religion, Johnny Carr moves readers from talking about global orphan care to actually doing something about it in Orphan Justice. Combining biblical truth with the latest research, this inspiring book: • investigates the orphan care and adoption movement in the U.S. today • examines new data on the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children • connects “liberal issues” together as critical aspects or orphan care • discovers the role of the church worldwide in meeting these needs • develops a tangible, sustainable action plan using worldwide partnerships • fleshes out the why, what, and how of global orphan care • offers practical steps to getting involved and making a difference




Small Town, Big Miracle


Book Description

On one memorable day, while Bishop Martin and his wife, Donna, were in prayer together, God gave them a one-word message: "Adopt!" Over the next five years, the Martins would adopt four kids. Others in their church community have heard the call and have now adopted 72 children.




Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care


Book Description

Orphanology unveils the grassroots movement that's engaged in a comprehensive response to serve hundreds of millions of orphans and "functionally parentless" children.You'll see a breadth of ways to care with biblical perspective and reasons why we must. Heartwarming, personal stories and vivid illustrations from a growing network of families, churches, and organizations that cross culture show how to respond to God's mandate. The book empowers:- churches--to plan preaching, teaching, ministering, missions, funding adoption, supporting orphans;- individuals and families--to overcome challenges and uncertainties;- every believer--to gain insights to help orphans in numerous ways. Discover how to - adopt;- assist orphans in transition;- engage in foster care;- partner with faith-based fostering agencies;- become orphan hosts.Along with their families' adoption stories, Merida and Morton give steps for action and features on churches doing orphan ministry, faith-based children's homes, orphan-hosting groups, and other resources.




Reframing Foster Care: Filtering Your Foster Parenting Journey Through the Lens of the Gospel


Book Description

Foster parents face a unique set of circumstances and experience a wide array of emotions that few can relate to. Their journey is one of equal parts beauty and brokenness, joy and heartache, excitement and exhaustion. There is no textbook on how to be a foster parent, no formula, no simple three-step guide. But there is hope-in God's capacity to bring great beauty out of tragic brokenness. This is the gospel-the lens through which you can filter your foster parenting journey and ultimately find the strength, motivation, and courage you need to be sustained along the way. ReFraming Foster Care is a collection of reflections on the foster parenting journey designed to help you do just that-find hope-and to remind you that your work is worth it and you are not alone. This multi-faceted book can be read alone or used as a group support resource. Every chapter includes: Personal reflection questions Group discussion guides Plan of action exercises Real-life stories Inspirational quotes Whether your foster parenting journey has just begun or you've been on the road for quite some time, we pray this book can encourage, challenge, and inspire you along the way. For bulk orders of 10 or more books, visit www.reframingfostercare.com. Discounts apply.




Foster the Family


Book Description

There are great rewards that come along with being a foster parent, yet there are also great challenges that can leave you feeling depleted, alone, and discouraged. The many burdens of a foster parent's day--hurting children, struggling biological parents, and a broken system--are only compounded by the many burdens of a foster parent's heart--confusion, anxiety, heartache, anger, and fear. With the compassion and insight of a fellow foster parent, Jamie C. Finn helps you see your struggles through the lens of the gospel, bringing biblical truths to bear on your unique everyday realities. In these short, easy-to-read chapters, you'll find honest, personal stories and practical lessons that provide encouragement and direction from God's Word as you walk the journey of foster parenting.




Until There's More Than Enough


Book Description

Until There's More than Enough is a faith-based field guide for collaborative foster care transformation in your community. The words "NOT ENOUGH" are heard every day inside of our nation's foster care system . . . Not enough resources. Not enough support. Not enough families. But it doesn't have to be that way where you live. If you were to find and effectively collaborate with the right people, your county could go from "not enough" to "more than enough." This book will help you lay the essential groundwork to see that happen. Gleaning from the experience of dozens of government, nonprofit, and faith leaders from across the country, Until There's More than Enough represents a set of principles and practices that will help advocates, churches, and organizations in your community work together to transform foster care. More than enough for kids and families before, during, and beyond foster care can happen where you live. Believe it's possible. Do your part. Do it together.