International (MNN) — In 2004, a small group of Christian leaders came together with a goal to get the local church community to help orphans. This local effort led to the formation of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO).
CAFO is now a worldwide movement that unites churches, organizations, and individuals to "inspire, equip, and connect Christians to reflect God's heart in caring for orphans in adoption, foster care, and global orphan care initiatives."
Bethany Christian Services is one of the founding members of this great movement.
In 2011, more than 2,000 people attended the Annual Summit that is held each spring. The summit's goal is to increase the engagement and effectiveness of the Church in caring for orphans and vulnerable children. CAFO is also known for leading Orphan Sunday activities every November in recognition of National Adoption Month. Thousands of churches worldwide participated in Orphan Sunday last November, and every year membership grows.
Orphan care ministries have been created regionally in the United States. They promote adoption, foster care, and/or global orphan initiatives. Adoption is one of CAFO's objectives. The Alliance and its members also like to see family preservation.
They like to see families stay together, even in hard times. Bethany and other organizations create sustainable foster care and child welfare service systems to make it possible for children to remain with their families or with families in-country.
November 4 is Orphan Sunday. Thousands of events across America and around the globe all share a single goal: that God's great love for the orphan will echo in our lives as well.
Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to rouse church, community, and friends to God's call to care for the orphan. Pray that more people this year will be involved with Orphan Sunday. Pray that orphans will be cared for and touched by the love of God through those who reach out to them with compassion.
