An expansive new study released last week offers important and compelling insight from the perspectives and experiences of adults who were adopted as children through foster care, private adoption or international adoption.  The study by the National Council for Adoption (NCFA) draws from the responses of more than 1,200 adoptees to questions on a wide variety of topics – from adoptee relationships with their adoptive and biological families, to race and identity, to current life satisfaction, opinions about adoption, and much more.   The outcomes reveal adoptees to be highly di ..read more

The latest video release from the Pure Religion Project features Pastor Alex Blake in Texas, who shares how, while surrounded by overwhelming need in their community, simple acts of generosity and hospitality have had profound effects on the life and culture and rhythms of their church.  “One of the greatest invitations that we were ever given is to be invited into the sufferings of others because in the sufferings of others, we find Jesus there…And I love that because that’s really what James 1:27 is really all about. It’s really about the church coming alive to be invited to the sufferi ..read more

While the foster care system plays a vital role in providing kids a safe place for a season, we can also prevent kids from entering foster care in the first place by addressing the causes of family separation, identifying potential red flags to keep families together, and providing intensive support for families on the brink of having their children removed. [Editor’s Note: As we kick off National Foster Care Month, we are looking at the state of foster care through three lenses – before, during and beyond – to assess what strategic actions make an impact in each unique area. This is the first ..read more

Around the world, orphaned and vulnerable children are being cared for by individuals, community leaders, government workers, NGOs and many others who all desire the best for the children they serve. Yet, the challenges and demands that come along with this work can leave many feeling isolated and overwhelmed and, at times, reliant on experience and intuition to make decisions and develop programs. Researchers often have data-informed insights and methodologies that can be used to strengthen care for vulnerable children. Front-line leaders often have essential knowledge of the local context an ..read more

Healthy churches and organizations, partnered in healthy, mutually beneficial relationships, are the lifeblood of healthy and effective Kingdom work.  When we see ourselves and our church as part of a larger whole – namely, the Body of Christ reflected and activated through a diversity of churches, organizations and ministries around the world – it’s good motivation to step into healthy, life-giving partnerships.  Whether you’re evaluating the potential of forming a new partnership or considering making some considerable changes with an existing one, there are several questions to as ..read more

Short-term mission trips have the potential to greatly benefit vulnerable children, families and communities when we align our efforts with principles for good practice. But without careful planning and understanding, they can also cause unintended harm.  In this article, we will explore the good that can come from short-term trips by sharing some helpful alternative models for volunteers seeking to care for children in orphanages and residential care facilities.  With wisdom and creativity, short-term mission trips can be powerful opportunities to learn, build relationships, raise a ..read more

The latest video release from the Pure Religion Project features Pastor Rephat Nyarenda in Zimbabwe, who shares how the love of Jesus transformed his own life and continues to impact orphaned and vulnerable children in his community through adoption.  “My mother died when I was 3 months old. My father died when I was 9 years old. I grew up not having both parents to look up to, but I was cared for by people who came into my life and made a huge difference by bringing me up. I continued to look up to them. I began to see the love of God in them. I saw how much they loved me even though I ..read more

Before you start planning a mission trip to an orphanage, knowing these eight principles can help protect orphaned and vulnerable children.  More than two million Christians travel on international short-term mission trips every year. Many of these participants seek to serve orphans and vulnerable children, desiring to live out the Bible’s call in James 1:27 by visiting orphanages. Mission trips make possible experiences, interactions and service that can be transformative – both for volunteers and for the communities they visit. Many child advocates and leaders of organizations serving v ..read more

I recently had the opportunity to connect with a multitude of inspiring global leaders at the World Without Orphans Global Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our time together was deeply encouraging as I engaged with regional groups of leaders from Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Better Together vision at the core Our shared Better Together vision encapsulated every interaction together, speaking to the core of who we are and what we strive to achieve. As I navigated through conversations and shared experiences with leaders from diverse backgrounds and regions, one thing ..read more

Can you see the blacksmith’s shop? Fire, steel and sweat … hammer and anvil … clang and concussion. The Blacksmith knows what it’s all for. He labors for a future good no one else yet sees: to meld usefulness and beauty, blending perfect form and function in a single object. That is the end to which He works.  He will apply every tool at His disposal to bring it about: tongs and bellows, searing flame and cooling bath. He is the Master. But the steel plays its part, too – defiant or pliant – resisting or participating with the Greater Power to become the good that He intends. This is the ..read more