Grace Landing First Annual Foster Care/Adoption Summit April 9 in Osceola Co.

Grace Landing, a mentoring ministry for young adults , is sponsoring their first annual foster care & adoption summit this Saturday, April 9, at Heartcry Chapel in Kissimmee, FL.  The main speaker for the summit is Doug Sauder from 4Kids in Ft. Lauderdale and author of The One Factor.  He is an amazing speaker and has so much to say about helping kids in the foster care system. You can go to www.gracelanding.com for more information and also to register.

Register Now for Christian Alliance for Orphans' Summit VII

Some of this year's speakers inclue Russell Moore, Karyn Purvis, and Dennis Rainey.  There will be pre-summit events, numerous break-out sessions, and musical guests.  This is THE conference to attend for  pastors, lay leaders, ministry professionals, and individuals seeking knowledge on adoption, foster care, global orphan care, and advocacy.  Visit the Summit site to register or for more information.

Webinar for Parents Whose Internationally Adopted Children May Have Suffered From Early Poor Nutrition

 From Joint Council on International Children's Services -



Wednesday, October 20, 2010,  7:00-8:00PM Central Time
Cost: $15   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We all know the importance of prenatal and early nutrition. We also understand that it is likely our internationally adopted children have missed out on a fair amount of this key factor of development.

Join Dr. Dana Johnson, renowned international adoption physician, as he shares the results of his research on the common physical, cognitive and behavioral impacts of poor nutrition on international adoptees. He will give practical tips of what to look for in your child, what to ask your pediatrician to test for and how to help your child catch up and thrive both short and long term.
This webinar will share strategies and tips on:
 Understanding the impact of early nutritional deprivation
 Identifying signs of malnutrition in your child
 Having your child tested for nutritional deficiencies
 How to help your child catch up and thrive

Speaker
Dr. Dana Johnson, MD PhD


Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Division of Neonatology and the Director of the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He has researched, published and lectured extensively on the effects of early institutionalization on growth, development and outcomes of internationally adopted children. He is a frequent expert speaker at worldwide conferences on issues relating to institutionalized children's health.

Together For Adoption's National Conference

Early bird registration for Together For Adoption's October 1 & 2 National Conference in Austin, TX ends June 30, 2010.  This year's theme is “The Gospel, the Church, and the Global Orphan Crisis.” Guest speakers include Dave Gibbons, Darrin Patrick, Dr. Karyn Purvis, Matt Carter, Bryan Loritts, Tom Davis, Dr. Susan Hillis, Carlos Whittaker, Aaron Ivey, and others. 

For more information and to register:  http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?page_id=11

Date Set for Christian Alliance For Orphans Summit VII

Save the Date...

SUMMIT VII

May 12-13, 2011

Southeast Christian Church

Louisville, KY

If you missed Summit VI, recordings are available online 

40 percent decline in overseas adoptions by Americans since 2004

Idaho's Impact
Haiti scandal overshadows bigger threat to evangelical adoption efforts.
from Christianity Today

The high-profile legal saga of the 10 Idaho-based Baptists arrested in January for attempting to smuggle 33 Haitian children into the Dominican Republic is winding down. But evangelical adoption advocates wonder what the long-term impact will be.

Leading orphan care advocate Russell Moore suggested in the days following the arrests that the scandal might be a black eye to evangelicals' adoption efforts worldwide. But two months later, Moore said he is no longer worried about a fallout.

"In many ways, the controversy served as an opportunity to clarify what we mean and what we do not mean," said Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "No one in the Christian orphan care community is calling for children to be adopted who are not in fact orphans. And no one is calling for children to be adopted apart from the legitimate processes."

A larger hurdle for international adoptions by evangelicals may be new restrictions on adoptions in countries where they have been most prevalent, including China, Guatemala, Russia, Vietnam, and Liberia.

China, which has traditionally accounted for the majority of adoptions to the U.S., rewrote its qualifications for adoptive parents in 2007. Guatemala, the second-largest source of American adoptions, completely shut down its program in 2008 due to widespread corruption, though it will launch a new adoption system this June. Since 2004, these and other restrictions have resulted in a 40 percent decline in overseas adoptions by Americans—from an all-time high of almost 23,000 in 2004 to fewer than 12,800 in 2009, according to the U.S. State Department.

Read the complete article here:  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/may/2.14.html?start=1

Registration is now open for the Christian Alliance for Orphans’ Summit VI in Minneapolis, MN!

Featured speakers will include John Piper, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, Al Mohler, Patricia Arzu, Tom Davis, Stephanie Fast, Doug Sauder, and others!

For more information and to register:
http://www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org/summit/

Wait No More Conference sponsored by Focus on the Family for children in Florida's foster care system

It's my privilege to extend an invitation for you to join us for the Wait No More: Finding Families for Florida's Waiting Kids conference presented in conjunction with local adoption leaders on Saturday, January 30th, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

As you may know, we recently launched our Adoption & Orphan Care Initiative in an effort to raise awareness throughout the Church regarding the plight of orphans, with particular emphasis on legal orphans right here in the U.S. foster care system.
In Florida alone, 1,000 children and youth are waiting in the foster care system for adoptive families. Thankfully, with over 13,000 churches in Florida, there is every reason to hope that we can make a difference in the lives of these lonely children.

Consider the impact if families throughout the state's congregations welcomed these waiting children in foster care into their hearts and homes: We could see no children in foster care awaiting adoption! Such a goal is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility, and we are committed to doing everything possible to help bring it to fruition.

This gathering will provide detailed information regarding the adoption process via the foster care system. Additionally, those present will be given an opportunity to ask questions and to become acquainted with the faces and stories of some of the children waiting in Florida's foster care system who long for a family to call their own.

This is a free event, but we do ask that you take a few minutes to register. All participants who register in advance will be provided with a selection of complimentary resources as well as lunch. For additional specifics about Wait No More, visit iCareAboutOrphans.org.

In James 1:27 we're told, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans ... "in their distress ..." With that exhortation in mind, we urge you to join this informative and ground-breaking conference.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, January 30th. Again, please take a moment to register. Meanwhile, we would covet your prayers for this vital undertaking on behalf of Florida's waiting kids. May God's blessings remain upon you and your loved ones in the days ahead.

Sincerely,
Jim Daly, President and CEO Focus on the Family

Wait No More®:

Finding Families for Florida's Waiting Kids

Saturday, January 30, 2010

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Adoption for Life Conference

Russell D. Moore, author of Adopted for Life, will be hosting the "Adopted for Life" Conference in Louisville, KY Feb. 26 & 27, 2010.
For a list of speakers, schedule, and registration information:  http://events.sbts.edu/adopting-for-life/


Description of Moore's book:
The gospel of Jesus Christ — the good news that through Jesus we have been adopted as sons and daughters into God’s family — means that Christians ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans in North America and around the world.

Russell D. Moore does not shy away from this call in Adopted for Life, a popular-level, practical manifesto for Christians to adopt children and to help equip other Christian families to do the same. He shows that adoption is not just about couples who want children — or who want more children. It is about an entire culture within the church, a culture that sees adoption as part of the Great Commission mandate and as a sign of the gospel itself.

Moore, who adopted two boys from Russia and has spoken widely on the subject, writes for couples considering adoption, families who have adopted children, and pastors who wish to encourage adoption.

Reminder: Together for Adoption Conference 2009

Join the 400 people who have already registered for Together for Adoption Conference 2009 at Christ Community Church (Franklin, TN) on October 2-3. The uniqueness of T4A’s conferences is that they focus primarily on vertical adoption (i.e., God adopting us in Christ), with a secondary and necessary focus on its profound implications for orphan care and horizontal adoption (i.e., couples adopting children). With over 132 million orphaned and vulnerable children in the world, what our world needs is Christians who have been freshly gripped by the stunning vertical reality of their adoption by God. If anything can mobilize the church to address our world’s orphan crises, it will be the good news of vertical adoption. Join us as we seek to connect the dots between our adoption by God and the adoption of children.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN.

Conference page for Together for Adoption Conference 2009 Nashville: http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?page_id=11

Worship will be led by Kevin Twit of Indelible Grace (http://www.igracemusic.com/).

Check out our new T4A video. It connects the glory of the gospel (i.e., the treasure that Jesus is) with the global orphan crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCK8dMoErRA

Together for Adoption Conference 2009

Franklin (Nashville), TN
October 2-3, 2009

Conference 2009 page:
http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?page_id=11

Notes From the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Dallas

Jeff K. attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Dallas and sent some notes.

Dennis Rainey summary:
Believe God for too much and not for too little!! Leverage off other organization's strengths -- the orphan issue is too big to tackle alone!!! Unleash the power of young people and adults who WANT to make a difference in the lives of orphans!! It is a privilege for us to care for orphans in the name of God!! Finally -- We are never closer to the heart of Jesus than when we care for someone who has nothing to give back.

Elizabeth Styffe from Saddleback Church summary:
We absolutely need to CONNECT emotionally with the orphans (locally and globally)! That is the difference between Christians caring for orphans and the world caring for orphans. Physical needs can get met, but there needs to be a connection! Every believer CAN do some type of orphan care. We need to partner with the CHURCH in our ministries. Let the church get the credit and the glory!!! The world needs to see that the church is helping care for orphans, not just organizations. People come to Christ through the church and not through organizations. Let the church get the PR. We need to align ourselves together and work in the same direction and not in different ones. Do you see an orphan as God sees you? We are all orphans! We do what we do but we leave the impossible to God.

Tickets Are Still Available for the "Night Of Champions" presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Danny Wuerffel, The Tebow Family, Kirk Herbstreit, Comedian Kenn
Kington, and Ritchie McDonald, lead singer of Lonestar will be at the Jacksonville Arena on May 8th from 7:00 - 9:30.

The Night of Champions is an event for the whole family that will focus
on "Building a Legacy Worth Leaving". This message will be conveyed
through comedy, music and inspirational messages from our special
guests. To purchase tickets for only $15, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and search
Night of Champions.

Proceeds from the event will benefit three great causes:

1. The local chapter of FCA.

2. Desire Street Ministries - http://www.desirestreet.org/

3. The Bob Tebow Evangelistic Ass - whose mission is to take the Gospel to those who have never heard it in the Philippines - preaching the Gospel, planting churches, establishing a staff of Filipino national evangelists, and supporting their orphange there - http://www.btea.org/

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit reminder

Reminder to register for the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit coming up next month!
http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/summit/

Training Opportunities for Adoptive Parents (in Colorado)

1. Beyond Consequences training with Heather Forbes. She is excellent, and truly understands issues of adoptive parents as both an adoptive parent herself, and as a social worker. This is especially excellent for any of you who feel like you have tried everything without good success in discipline. She bases her approach on the stress model, which is a great thing for every adoptive parent to be familiar with. Plus, if you buy her book (~$20 at her website or at amazon.com) admission to a full day training is free...a steal. If you aleady hae volume one of her book, she just released volume 2! Here's the link for more info (Mar. 28, 9:00-4:00, Wheatridge):

http://www.beyondconsequences.com/bcilive/registration.html (this training seminar will also be in other cities around the country)

To learn more about Beyond Consequences: http://www.beyondconsequences.com/

2. In Colorado -

Parker Adventist Hospital has made a special commitment to adoption, and is offering "Empowered Adoptive Parent" training ($20/person/class or $30/couple/class), including:

Lifelong Issues in Adoption February 23, 2009 6:00 8:30 pm

This 2.5 hr class will provide an overview of the 7 core issues of adoption as they relate to adoptees, adoptive parents, birthparents and siblings.

Tools and Resources March 19, 2009 6:00 8:30 pm

Come learn about the post-adoption resources available in Colorado. In addition, this training will provide an overview of behavioral concerns most frequently asked about by adoptive parents.

It’s a Package Deal: Your Children, Their Trauma April 20, 2009 6:00 8:30 pm This class will address how trauma affects the developing brain in international and domestic infant adoption. We will discuss the impact of trauma on child development, attachment, and sensory integration, as well as the effects of neglect.

We Don’t Match, But Our Hearts Do May 14, 2009 6:00 8:30 pm

This class addresses transracial and cross cultural parenting as well as the common question, “Do I belong here?”

The Current Trends in Infant Adoption June 18, 2009 6:00 8:30 pm

This class will address the new face of infant adoption, issues around openness, and newborn transition and bonding.

You can see a little more at:
http://www.parkerhospital.org/index.php?s=861&parent_id=1836#empowered

They are also hosting a FREE Event with Nationally Renowned Author, Sherrie Eldridge -February 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Cherry Hills Community Church

Cherry Hills Community Church and the Family to Family Adoption Support Program will be hosting nationally renowned author, Sherrie Eldridge.
Who would have ever guessed that the newborn baby girl, abandoned at birth, named Baby X by hospital workers, and a “failure to thrive baby” by physicians, would someday extol the wonders of adoption?

Sherri Eldridge is the author of many well loved books such as Forever Fingerprints and Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew.

More on Sherry: http://www.sherrieeldridge.com/

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

The Christian Alliance for Orphan Summit V will be held April 30 & May 1, 2009 at Irving Bible Church in Dallas, Texas.

According its website,

Summit V is an opportunity to worship God by learning about how He is caring for orphans around the world through His people... and how YOU can join Him. Detailed breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities have been designed to equip the lay person, the church pastor & the orphan care worker with tangible steps they can take to love the orphan in their home, in their church, and through trusted organizations.

For more information and to register: http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/summit/