USA (MNN) — An orphan grows up
with lingering feelings of not belonging to anyone or to anything. Multiply that one orphan by 132.7 million,
and what you're left with are multiple generations of disconnect.
That's why several ministries who
work exclusively with the problem banded together. The result was the formation of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Together, they felt they could
send a message and enlist help from the broader Christian community about the
needs of orphans and the opportunity for adoption, foster care and orphan
ministry worldwide.
From April 30 to May 1, 2009, the
Alliance is hosting its 5th annual orphan summit at Irving Bible Church in
Dallas, Texas.
Alliance Member Tiffany Taylor with Orphan Outreach
says it's a way to get the word out about the needs of the
orphans around the world, and help believers be a part of the solution. "People found out about us at the
Summit, and then the next thing you know, we're building churches, and we're
making a difference in communities. We've got orphanages that now have support
and children that are now coming to know the Lord."
Summit V will provide detailed
breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities designed to equip the
lay person, the church pastor and the orphan care worker with tangible steps
they can take to love the orphan in their home, in their church, and through
trusted organizations.
Taylor explains that "the
theme of the Summit is 'In You, the fatherless find compassion' (Hosea 14:3). It's
so important that God's people understand how it takes them to make a
difference."
Keynote
speakers include noted ministry leaders Dr. Tony Evans (co-founder
and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church), Dennis Rainey (best-selling author,
President and co-founder of FamilyLife), Russell Moore (pastor, author, and faculty
at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), and Rob Mitchell (author of Focus on the Family's book "Cast-away Kid").
Support is
critical, says Taylor. "The economy is affecting
'the least of these' in a major way. Now, more than ever, we need ministries,
churches, [and] lay people that have that tug on their heart to come and make a
difference for orphan children."
