POPULARITY
What's the difference between a bank and a credit union? More than you might think.At first glance, banks and credit unions can seem pretty similar as they both offer valuable financial services. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find that credit unions can be a powerful partner for managing money. Aaron Caid joins us to explain why.Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. A Different Kind of Financial InstitutionCredit unions stand apart from traditional banks because they are not-for-profit cooperatives owned by their members. That means the focus is on long-term member relationships, and service is preeminent.However, Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) goes a step further. Their mission is rooted in striving to serve and love others like Christ. This distinctly faith-based approach transforms everyday banking into a form of ministry that seeks to honor God and expand His Kingdom.At Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU), they help members align their finances with their biblical worldview. That includes offering loans to build churches and support Christ-centered ministries, turning ordinary financial tools into extraordinary Kingdom-building instruments.Surprising Strength in Rates and ServicesMany people assume credit unions can't compete with traditional banks regarding rates, but that's a misconception. Because credit unions don't exist to make profits for shareholders, they can return those profits to our members through better rates and lower fees.Here's a snapshot of Christian Community Credit Union's (CCCU) current offerings:Harvest High-Yield Checking: 4% APY on balances up to $5,000 with no maintenance feesHarvest High-Yield Savings: 5% APY on the first $5,000Welcome CD: 4.5%–4.75% APY on 5- and 10-month termsCash Back Credit Card: 1.5% cash back and a donation to Christian causes with every swipeCCCU also offers vehicle loans, mortgages, and home equity lines of credit at competitive rates, digital banking, and 24/7 member support.Beyond rates and products, CCCU is also committed to spiritual growth through financial stewardship. They provide resources from trusted partners like FaithFi and Compass Financial Ministry to help our members grow in their financial discipleship.It's not just about managing money well—it's about managing money faithfully.Funding Ministry and Fueling the GospelOne of the most inspiring aspects of CCCU is its direct support of ministry work. CCCU specializes in ministry lending, and with over $1 billion in ministry loans funded, it understands what churches and ministries need.From property and equipment loans to operating accounts and reserve fund solutions, CCCU partners with ministries financially and missionarily.Plus, their giving program has donated more than $6.5 million to Christian causes. That includes ministries fighting human trafficking, protecting vulnerable children, providing disaster relief, and sharing the gospel worldwide.Becoming a Member is EasySo, how can you join?Membership is open to Christians and Christian ministries nationwide. You can become a member through your church, school, a partner ministry like Christian Alliance for Orphans, or even through a family member.With a streamlined online process, starting banking with your values is easier than ever. When your money is aligned with your faith, it does more than grow—it gives, serves, and multiplies for God's glory.To learn more or become a member, visit joinchristiancommunity.com.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have a 401(k) at a place where I used to work about 15 years ago, at the University of North Chicago. It's about $15,000, and I have not been at that job for over 15 years. I want to know if it's a good idea to move it. Should I combine it with my current 401(k), or should I just leave it there?I have a stock in my portfolio that is losing between 40 and 47%. It has an F rating and is a large part of my portfolio. I want to sell it, but I want to know what to do with it after I sell it. I have it in Schwab, and I'm wondering if there's a better fund I could put it in since I have a lot sitting there.I'm contributing to an employer 457(b) plan. Those funds are going into a Roth plan, and I am contributing the maximum amount. I'm married and over 50. I'd like to know if I can also open a personal Roth IRA and a traditional Roth IRA.I would like to sell a piece of land, but I want to sell it to a developer, maybe someone who would be developing a spa, a hotel, or something similar. I want to know where I can go to access or look for developers who would be interested in purchasing my land.My husband and I didn't file taxes from 2016 to 2022, and sadly, he passed away recently. There are IRS notices with increased penalties and interest. Do I have to list the fact that there is a withholding on the IRS notices, even though I didn't have any income, and it was all his income?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineChristian Community Credit Union (CCCU)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.
Welcome to our neighborhood! Sit on down with Pam, Jodi Jackson Tucker and Lisa C Qualls to chat about the fulfilling yet challenging journey of foster care and adoption. Jody and Lisa dive into the dynamics of large, blended families and the vital role of faith in navigating the complexities of adoption. They offer insight into how communities can rally support around adoptive and foster families, shining a light on the global orphan crisis and the transformative power of prayer. This episode is packed with encouragement, practical resources, and real stories of God's faithfulness, perfect for anyone interested in adoption or wanting to support those who are.Please check into the resources mentioned in this episode starting with these author's books: (affiliate links) Healing for Every Heart in Adoption, By Jodi, Lisa and their friend Betsy Fasten Your Sweet Belt: 10 Things You Need to Know about Older Child Adoption By Jodi Jackson Tucker Second Mother: A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Moms By Jodi Jackson Tucker and her friend TracieThe Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment By Lisa C. Qualls and Karyn Purvis Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith By Lisa C. Qualls and Melissa Corkum The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E ColemanAnd of course you can reach these ladies on their websites and socials.... Jodi Jackson Tucker on IG @Second Mothers and on her website JodiJacksonTucker.com Lisa C. Qualls on IG @ Lisa C Qualls and on her website LisaCQualls.comOther adoption resources and podcasts: Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO)#219 Becoming Known: Journey to Family Connection with Lynne Leppard#185 Spiritual Intentionality: Nurturing Faith Amidst Motherhood with Sarah Frazer#181 Instant Parenthood and the Lessons Learned with Kristi Bridges #174 Finding Strength in Motherhood with Betty Predmore #163 Living with Purpose: Finding Meaning in Every Day with Kim Cusimano#111 Fostering a Legacy of Love with Dusti Stark#96 Mothering from the Overflow with Jesse Faris#73 Grace According to Gifts with Karol Holmes#31 Treasure Mining the Gift of FASD with Natalie Vecchione#adoptionjourney #fostertoadopt #fostermom #fostercare #Secondmothers #kinshipmoms #calltonurture #christianparenting
The reactionary Right. That is the new threat to patriotic conservatives. I explain how those with no affirmative beliefs are undermining our ability to reclaim America because they only know how to critique the Left, but then, absent their own beliefs, land in the same place. One of the areas in which this is most prominent is the rise of the secular, anti-Israel right. We're joined by Josh Hammer, whose new book, "Israel and Civilization," traces the importance of Israel and the Hebrew Bible to the foundation of America and how it still has meaning today. In a wide-ranging discussion, we delve into the reactionary Right that is joining with the Left against Israel, why we should support Israel's struggle against the Left but also end its dependence on us for weapons, and how we can form a new Jewish-Christian alliance to fight jihad and paganism. At the end, we discuss the trend of secular Israelis returning to God and how that echoes Josh's own personal journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Millions of children globally are separated from their birth families. For many, foster care is the best option. Foster carers from Moldova and the US speak to Ella Al-Shamahi about the realities of caring for vulnerable children and why they're pushing for change in the system.Alina Druță is the president of Moldova Without Orphans, the Christian Alliance for Orphans Moldova and the national coordinator for child welfare at Open Gate International Moldova. She has been instrumental in introducing trust-based relational intervention to Moldova, an evidence-based approach that helps caregivers create safe and nurturing environments for children who have experienced trauma. Alina has worked with more than 70 young people over the past 12 years and is currently caring for six girls alongside her two biological children. Whitney Jackson from the US decided to document her family's journey into fostering on YouTube with her channel Be The Village. It has grown into a community of over 100,000 subscribers. Whitney is passionate about changing the way the world sees the foster system as well as the children who are in care.Produced by Emily Naylor and Hannah Dean(Image: (L) Whitney Jackson courtesy Whitney Jackson. (R) Alina Druță courtesy Alina Druță.)
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." -Romans 8:37 Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care. On this episode, host Sandra Flach talks with Dr. Nicole Wilke, PhD. Nicole is a researcher, missionary, author and marriage & family therapist dedicated to improving care for vulnerable children & families globally. She currently serves as Director of Christian Alliance for Orphans' Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children & Families, bridging research and practice to improve care for vulnerable children & families around the globe. Dr. Wilke's passion for this work stems from her family's experience with adoption & fostering. Having lived on 4 continents, Nicole currently resides with her family in Peru, where they work to improve the system for children in alternative care. Tune is as Sandra and Nicole discuss what Scripture and Science say about resilience. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community Email: sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father on amazon.com Christian Alliance For Orphans Research Center Books by Dr. Nicole Wilke on Amazon: Overcoming—What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience Caleb Koala's Comeback Ride Instagram: dr.nicolewilke Facebook: Nicole Wilke
Happy New Year's Eve! We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect on the last year of nonprofit ministry, podcasting, family and everything else! In this end of 2024 episode, Brandon and Phil will catch up our listeners on what is happening in their personal lives and ministry. Most importantly to you, dear listener, we share about the state of the podcast, how it's been since we did some rebrand/rescope and what the future of the podcast is. This is an episode for those listeners that want a peek behind the curtain and are looking for more ways to go deeper with Think Global, Do Justice. Conversation Notes Phil and Brandon share about how God has been moving in their respective organizations in 2024 (Providence World and CarePortal) (0:30) The hosts share their top books and movies from the year (13:00) They share their favorite episodes from Think Global, Do Justice(22:20) Brandon shares the state of the podcast, where we're going (if we're going), how we're doing internally and what traction we have with a competitive podcast market (30:30) Think Global, Do Justice ranks in the top 2% of podcasts globally with over 1,800 downloads each month (but that's a challenging place to be!) The challenge of keeping podcasts viable in 2024 Shout out to our 2024 Sponsors - Zoe Empowers, Child Hope International, Accord Network, Christian Alliance for Orphans and Resilient Communities Center The 2025 outlook for the podcast and keeping current on the show (40:40) Podcast Sponsor (You!) If you have been blessed, encouraged or equipped over the last 8 years of podcasting, we invite you to support the show through Venmo! Support the Show Through Venmo - Link If you want to share about your work or services to a hundreds (or even thousands) of global nonprofit practitioners and supporters. Click below. Rundown on Becoming a Sponsor - Link Get help for your organization by contracting an affordable Canopy International associate working in various global nonprofit fields. Link to Covered Services Resources and Links from the show Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys by Richard Twiss (book) Rooting for Rivals by Peter Greer and Chris Horst (book) Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch (book) Lead with Prayer by Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog and Cameron Doolittle (book) Overcoming by Dr. Nicole Wilke and Dr. Amanda Howard (book) Leading from Your Knees with Peter Greer and Ryan Skoog (podcast) What Scripture and Science Say about Resilience with Dr. Nicole Wilke (podcast) Owning Poverty with Dr. Michael Pucci (podcast) Decolonizing Theology and Integral Mission with Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst (podcast) Theme music Kirk Osamayo. Free Music Archive, CC BY License
It's Friday, November 8th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus and Jonathan Clark Nigerian Muslims killed 21 Christians in Benue State On November 1st and 2nd, Fulani Muslim herdsmen killed six Christians in Benue State, Nigeria after slaughtering 15 Christians in a nearby village two days prior, reports Morning Star News. Terwase Avande, a local resident, said they “began shooting at Christian residents.” And Paul Adetsav, a community leader, said, “The Fulani herdsmen keep attacking us almost on a daily basis, killing Christians at will and igniting fire on our houses and places of worship. “Crops we planted on our farms too have been destroyed by the armed herdsmen. Hunger has become an epidemic, killing us and our children since we have nothing to eat.” More than 400,000 members of the community have been displaced as a result of incessant attacks. According to Open Doors, Nigeria is the sixth most dangerous country worldwide in which to live as a Christian. Luke gave wise counsel in Acts 14:22. “…remain true to the faith.” Argentina's first Day of Evangelical Protestant Churches Argentina celebrated its first Day of Evangelical Protestant Churches on October 31 of this year. The country passed a law back in April to commemorate the day in memory of when Martin Luther published the 95 theses, sparking the Protestant Reformation. Fifteen percent of Argentina's population is Evangelical, numbering six million. Pastor Christian Hooft, the president of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic, said, “We celebrate the 5 solas of the monk Martin Luther: ‘Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Glory be to God Alone,' which were an emblem that remained and strongly influenced culture, knowledge, and science.” Joe Scarborough hypocritically chastises the Democratic Party Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, spent much of the first hour of November 6th pontificating about where the Democrats went wrong. His focus was not their tactical moves, but their broader failure to understand and connect with the American people regarding their concerns, reports Newsbusters. SCARBOROUGH: “So, it's time for the Democrats to look in the mirror and figure out exactly what went wrong.” However, Scarborough —a Democrat flunky himself — has personified the very problems of which he complains. SCARBOROUGH: “There was some reluctance to talk about the things that were concerning Americans that really mattered this year — illegal immigration, the mass border crossings. That was something that concerned Hispanic voters. It's something that concerned Black voters, something that concerned all voters. “We've been talking about the transgender ad. Thirty thousand times it ran over $30 million. This is going to be a problem in the three states that you need. And yet, they just didn't respond to it because they were afraid to respond to it because it might offend some small subset of their base. “They have lost working-class America. The question is, How long until they understand that this isn't just about tax cuts? This isn't just about economics. This is about cultural markers that matter greatly in these people's lives.” Joe Scarborough sounds like the late Rush Limbaugh, doesn't he? But Mark Finkelstein of Newsbusters wrote, “There has been no show more slavishly devoted to parroting Democratic themes than Morning Joe. There's a reason why Joe Biden made Morning Joe his favorite show, calling on his staff to watch it, and becoming phone buddies with Scarborough. “And when others were calling out Biden's undeniable decline, it was Morning Joe which claimed that Ol' Joe was ‘sharp as a tack.'" White House Press Secretary blames bad economy on COVID pandemic Democrats are trying to figure out how President-elect Donald Trump won in a landslide. On November 7th, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, didn't blame the bad economy on the inflationary policies of Biden-Harris who printed up money to give away in stimulus checks. Instead, she blamed the bad economy on the COVID pandemic. JEAN-PIERRE: “One of the things that occurred was the pandemic. It caused disruption. It caused the supply chain to be disrupted, and caused the economy to be turned upside down. We are, in fact, leading the world on the economy. “That doesn't stop the fact that there has been a political toll for incumbents. That is something that I'm telling you as a data point to share because we know that you guys would have questions.” Late-night comedians meltdown over Trump win The late night comedians, who are by and large more committed to the Democratic Party than making America laugh, sounded as though they were attending the funeral of America. In fact, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel actually broke down in tears over Trump's victory. Listen. KIMMEL: “Let's be honest, it was a terrible night last night. It was a terrible night for women, for children, for the hundreds of thousands of hard-working immigrants who make this country go, for health care, for our climate. It was a terrible night for poor people, for our allies in Ukraine, for NATO. I mean, I guess it was a bad night for everyone who voted for him, too. You just don't realize it yet.” And CBS's Steven Colbert tried to comfort his liberal audience. COLBERT: “How are you doing? If you watch the show regularly, I'm guessing you're not doing great. Yeah. Me neither. “It happened again. And in this democracy, the majority has spoken. They said they don't care that much about democracy. The first time Donald Trump was elected, he started as a joke and ended as a tragedy. This time, he starts as a tragedy. Who knows what he'll end as.” Republicans flip another U.S. Senate seat Republican David McCormick has won Pennsylvania's pivotal U.S. Senate seat, as the former CEO of the world's largest hedge fund beat three-term Democratic Senator Bob Casey, reports the Associated Press. Republicans have now flipped four seats and have 53 Senate seats compared to 45 for Democrats. Nevada and Arizona are still counting ballots. U.S. House still up for grabs The U.S. House is still up for grabs, reports Fox News. Republicans have 210 seats. Democrats have 198. 218 seats are needed for the majority. 83-year-old reunited with long-lost college ring And finally, 47 years ago, Frederick Morgan Perigo, a Canadian professor, lost his gold and ruby class ring while splashing around in Barbados with his son. When he went to protect his son from a big wave, the boy accidentally pulled off his father's MacMaster University class ring as he grabbed his hand. Providentially, Alex Davis, a fellow MacMaster University graduate and a professional freediver, happened to vacation in the same spot in the Barbados. He found Perigo's ring with the help of an underwater metal detector, reports The Daily News. After discovering the year 1965 and the initials “FMP” inscribed on the ring, it was a cinch to reunite it with its rightful owner through the alumni association. Reached by email, Perigo wrote, “This is unbelievable news!” Luke 12:7 reveals that God cares about even the smallest detail since He knows the number of hairs on our head. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, November 8th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Send us a textJoin us on a transformative journey as we explore the profound shift from orphanage care to family-based support in Sierra Leone and beyond. Featuring insights from George Kulanda, the case management supervisor at the Child Reintegration Center, and David Titus Musa, a senior consultant at the Center, this episode promises a deep dive into the complexities and triumphs of reintegrating children into family environments. From engaging with orphanage leaders to collaborating with governments and civil society organizations, David shares his inspiring transition from the confines of orphanage walls to advocating for family reintegration. Meanwhile, George sheds light on his role in bolstering family ties and ensuring successful reintegration through comprehensive case management.Moving beyond individual stories, we explore the broader implications of family strengthening and financial literacy programs in Africa. Delving into the challenges caregivers face, we uncover the delicate balance between providing for and nurturing children, while also highlighting innovative research methods used to assess these programs' effectiveness. The episode also brings to life the rich discussions from the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit, where diverse voices from across the globe, especially from the Global South, are given the platform they deserve. This dialogue is pivotal in reshaping global child welfare conversations and ensuring that care leavers and practitioners can voice their unique perspectives unhindered.Our journey would be incomplete without emphasizing the irreplaceable value of face-to-face connections in cultures like Sierra Leone, where true understanding and trust are built. Through compelling anecdotes from George and David, we uncover the limitations of digital interactions and the profound impact of in-person engagement. Whether it's overcoming visa hurdles or fostering international networks in Mozambique and Uganda, the episode underscores the necessity of direct personal connections in advancing child protection initiatives across West Africa. This episode is a clarion call for empowering Global South voices and fostering collaborations that lead to systemic change and shared knowledge in the realm of child welfare.go to helpingchildrenworldwide.org to learn how you can be a part of the solution A new documentary on orphanage response - the right way! Bring voices from the global south to a policy conference with the potential to change the world! There is no shortage of need in this big, messy world, but with your help, together we can change the world!Helpingchildrenworldwide.org
Segment 1: Can Christians Make a Difference in Politics? Dr. Chaps begins the conversation with Chris Long, exploring whether Christians can truly make a difference in the political landscape. Chris shares insights on the unique impact believers can have when they bring faith-driven values into political discussions and decisions, emphasizing the role of purpose and integrity in shaping policies that honor God. Segment 2: Why Many Christians Fear Political Involvement In the second segment, Dr. Chaps and Chris dive into the reasons why many Christians hesitate to get involved in politics or even discuss it. Chris addresses common fears, misconceptions, and cultural pressures that discourage political engagement. He also provides encouragement and guidance on overcoming these obstacles, rooted in faith and community support. Segment 3: The Power of a Christ-Centered Political View In the final segment, Chris explains why a Christ-centered perspective is essential for making meaningful political change. He discusses how putting God's principles at the center of political action empowers Christians to create a positive, lasting impact. Chris shares practical steps on how believers can bring Christ's love and justice into the political arena for the Lord's glory. Get free alerts at http://PrayInJesusName.org © 2024, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD. Airs on NRB TV, Direct TV Ch.378, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, GoogleTV, Smart TV, iTunes and www.PrayInJesusName.org
Today, Chris and Sammy reflect on the Christian Alliance for the Orphan conference (CAFO) and their 2024 theme of Becoming. It was an event filled with an ongoing conversation about God being more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are doing. In this episode, our co-hosts discuss the question of how to balance the tension of wanting to serve and also becoming who we are designed to be. Hear how Chris believes that different seasons of life truly determine our becoming versus our doing, how Sammy was impacted when a friend reminded her God would never call us to sacrifice our relationship with Him on the altar of ministry, and why they both believe belonging has to occur in order for becoming to take place. Links to learn more: Learn more about Back2Back Ministries
Have you wanted to foster or adopt but just don't know if it's the “right time?” My guest for this episode can relate! Jason Johnson and his wife knew they wanted to become foster parents, but were unsure when they should pursue it or how it might affect their biological children. Jason is a speaker, writer, former pastor, and church planter who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys. He is also the Director of Church Mobilization and Engagement with Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). Jason has a deep passion for seeing the gospel catalyze a movement of foster care in the church around the world. Jason and his wife, Emily, are foster and adoptive parents who live in Texas with their four daughters. In this episode, you'll hear how Jason started his foster care journey, how to find the “perfect” time to foster or adopt, tips for navigating the concern of loving a child that might leave your family, and learn a new way to look at comments from strangers about your adoptive or foster family. Whether you are currently a foster parent, are considering becoming one, or know someone who is, I know you will be encouraged by what Jason shares in this conversation! Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes for this episode: https://theforgotteninitiative.org/jason-johnson-perfect-time/
Tami Heim has been the president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance since January 2012. Her professional career includes executive leadership experience in technology, marketing, publishing, and retail. She has served as a partner in The A Group – Brand Development, executive vice president and chief publishing officer for Thomas Nelson Publishers, and as the president of Borders, Inc.Tami was certified in for-profit board governance through The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Her nonprofit board experience includes serving on the boards of EQUIP, Lead Like Jesus, Christian Alliance for Orphans, and Growing Leaders. Christianity Today, and Christian Leadership Alliance. She completed the Christian Credentialed Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) program in 2013 and now facilitates the online CCNL-Leadership Course for the Alliance.
In this episode of the Defender podcast, we share an interview with children's book authors Jackie Darby and Aixa de López, creators of "Whose Am I? /¿De quién soy?" In this heartwarming episode, the authors share insights into their collaborative work, a captivating narrative that delves into adoption, redemption, and the quest for identity in Christ. The book introduces us to Darly, a pre-adolescent girl navigating the complexities of her adoption story, and Jackie, her mentor and friend with a powerful testimony. Jackie's journey from being abandoned in a dump to finding a loving family unfolds, offering a touching exploration of the adoption experience. "Whose Am I?" is a must-read for adoptive or foster children, parents in similar situations, those hoping to adopt, and children seeking to understand the nuances of adoption. Join us for a discussion on this impactful book that provides a platform for difficult yet essential family conversations.GUESTSAixa de López is a graphic designer, writer, and speaker. She is wife of Alex and mother of four children, two of whom came through the miracle of adoption. She is a spokesperson for the Christian Alliance for Orphans in Latin America and a board member of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.In 1963, Jackie Darby was a newborn abandoned in the garbage dump of Seoul, Korea, until one day a missionary nurse found her. Today she is a mother of two adult children, and a full-time missionary with her husband of 35 years, Randall. Together they founded the ministry Start with One Global in Guatemala, where they focus on encouraging and training leaders in various ways to generate auto sustainable resources so they're able to impact their communities with the Gospel.HOSTHerbie Newell is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children's Services and its ministry arms.CO-HOSTDr. Rick Morton is the Vice President of Engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.RESOURCESWe wanted to highlight a new resource for families that helps open up conversation about our identity in Christ. Whose Am I? is a bilingual (Spanish/English) children's book that shares true life experiences about adoption, redemption, and finding our identity in Christ. Because it is written for children and parents together, this book provides opportunities to discuss difficult topics, such as abandonment and identity.We believe this book could be an excellent resource for any foster or adoptive families as well as those who would like more insight into helping others find their identity in Christ. Visit our Amazon store at LifelineChild.org/Amazon to purchase a book for yourself or more as gifts. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICESThe mission of Lifeline Children's Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. FOLLOW USFacebook, Instagram, TwitterThe Defender Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | SpotifyThe Defender Bible Study: Subscribe on iTunes | Transistor | Spotify
What does effective orphan care look like in the 21st century? In this episode, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Nicole Wilke, Director of the Research Center for the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Together, they explore the immense need for orphan care in the world, some of the misconceptions about orphans and orphan care, and how the church can best support people and ministries seeking to care this group of people that is very close to God's heart. Dr. Wilke is a missionary in Peru and has extensive experience in adoption, foster care, residential care, trauma recovery, and cross-cultural ministry. She holds degrees in Psychology, Family Studies, and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also author of Mission Wise: Scripture, Science, and Serving the World's Most Vulnerable. God is already calling people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Commit to supporting the work of PreField missionaries to help them get to the field faster. Visit abwe.org/Prefield Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.
This week's guest, Dr. Nicole Wilke from the Christian Alliance for Orphans talks about strategies and reasons for helping "the least of these" in our work.
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month! During this month, we're not only raising awareness about foster care, but we are also celebrating the beautiful work of collaboration in this space. (Watch our new “As One” documentary series here for some incredible stories about the work happening in our city.) With this focus, we are revisiting the very first episode we shared on The Riverside Project Podcast.In this conversation, Jason Johnson joined us to break down the parable of the River and how it relates to issues facing Houston's child and family welfare system. Foster care isn't an isolated problem but is connected to many other social issues affecting our city. How does this reality change the way we work together to transform foster care in our communities? We also discussed the power (and the challenge) of collaboration, the role of the Church in caring for vulnerable families, and how you can find your place along the River.Jason is a speaker, writer, former pastor, church planter, and foster parent. He is also the Director of Church Mobilization and Engagement with Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO).Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: https://riversideproject.org/jason-johnson-25Connect with us!Website: https://riversideproject.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.projectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx
Description: In this podcast Mackenzie Matthews interviews Jason Webber and Phil Darke about the work they do supporting vulnerable children. They each share their stories of God softening their hearts to say “yes” to this work. In this episode we discuss how to care well for yourself and your soul when you are entering hard and heavy places through spiritual practices. This was also a fun first for the podcast- this episode was recorded in front of a live audience. Resources from this episode: Christian Alliance for Orphans The CAFO Summit Resources from Timberline Church Do Justice Think Global Podcast How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast The More Than Enough Podcast In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence by Phil Dark and Keith McFarland Until There’s More Than Enough by Jason Weber
It's Thursday, April 25th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark How Indian Hindus are endangering Christians in Nepal International Christian Concern reports that Christians are facing more persecution in the Hindu-majority nation of Nepal. The increased persecution appears to be bleeding over the border from India where Christians face high levels of persecution. Hindu nationalists in India are now sending funds into Nepal, leading to more violence against Christians. This has only made the work of Christian evangelism more dangerous across the country. Argentina celebrates Evangelicals Last week, Argentina's Senate approved a law to make October 31 a National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches. The South American country is about 15% Evangelical and has over 25,000 Protestant churches. Christian Hooft is the President of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Republic of Argentina. He said, “To declare October 31 as the 'National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches' is to recognize the importance of this religious tradition in Argentinian history and society.” On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany, objecting to the 95 ways the Catholic church had strayed from Biblical teaching. That was a milestone moment that marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. 67% of Christians live in South America, Africa and Asia The Global Christian Forum held its fourth gathering in Ghana, West Africa last week with hundreds of participants from 60 countries. The conference noted the geographical shift in the center of Christianity. In 1900, 82% of Christians lived in the Global North across countries in North America and Europe. Now, 67% of Christians live in the Global South across countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Plus, 44% of Protestants now hail from Africa. Psalm 22:27-28 says, “All the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.” Biden signed $95 billion foreign aid bill In the United States, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill yesterday. President Joe Biden signed it within hours of passing. The package gives $60 billion to Ukraine, $26 billion to Israel, and $8 billion to U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan. The legislation also moved to ban TikTok, a social media app owned by a Chinese parent company. The United States is giving the company a year to sell the app or it will be banned in America. Supreme Court hears another abortion case Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in an another abortion case. The Biden administration is challenging Idaho's law banning nearly all abortions. The administration is trying to argue that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act allows abortions in medical emergencies. However, justices appeared skeptical that state abortion bans violate the federal law. A decision is expected in June. More Americans cannot retire A new survey from the American Association of Retired Persons found about a quarter of U.S. adults do not think they will be able to retire. Many older Americans are staying in the work force due to a lack of retirement savings. AARP noted, “Everyday expenses continue to be the top barrier to saving more for retirement, and some older Americans say that they never expect to retire.” Proverbs 23:5 says of toiling for wealth, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward Heaven.” Tennessee Governor bans discriminatory de-banking Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee signed a bill recently to ban discriminatory de-banking. The law prohibits major banks and insurance companies from closing someone's account simply for their political or religious views. Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said, “We will not allow big corporate banks to … discriminate against consumers for their religious or political views. This troubling trend will not be tolerated in Tennessee.” House Majority Leader gives glory to God And finally, the U.S. House Majority Leader gave glory to God in a recent interview. Steve Scalise, the Republican Congressional leader from Louisiana, returned to the House in February after battling blood cancer. During a Tuesday interview on EWTN News Nightly, he said the cancer is in remission. SCALISE: “For so many people that are watching that said prayers and offered just true, genuine support, I can't thank everybody enough. Because you feel that, you know, when you're going through things and, thank God, you know, God performed a lot of miracles and answered a lot of prayers.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, April 25th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
In this insightful episode of our podcast, we delve into the key concepts from the thought-provoking book, "Creating a Culture of Belonging". We begin by exploring the term "Missional Organization" as defined by Dr. Birmingham, examining its implications and the unique characteristics that distinguish these organizations from others. The conversation then shifts to a critical discussion on the issues faced by women within these organizations, as highlighted in the book. Dr. Beth Birmmingham will unpack the systemic challenges and suggest ways organizations can evolve to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members. Tune in to understand how missional organizations operate and learn what steps can be taken to create an authentic culture of belonging.Dr. Beth Birmingham https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbirmingham/ The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development https://the-christianalliance.org/ Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Cultures-Belonging-Cultivating-Organizations/dp/083083916X
In our latest episode of exclusive Principal Interviews, Mr. Vanderpyl describes CAIS's leadership programme as laser focused on nurturing the leaders of tomorrow to make an impact for good. Mr Vanderpyl shares the pillars underpinning the school, which is increasingly popular among parents in Hong Kong. The CAIS curriculum is based on the Alberta Curriculum but also provides Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the IB Diploma for years 11 and 12. CAIS additionally offers Chinese classes tailored for both native and non-native speakers. Excited to hear more? Tune in to this episode!
Today, Dr. Chaps interviews Don Blake of the Virginia Christian Alliance. You will be encouraged to make a difference for the LORD in your community after hearing this interview on PIJN News. Don is the founding chairman of the Virginia Christian Alliance (founded in January 2009). In recent years, Don has been a founding board chairman of the Henrico Youth League and a founding board member of the Henrico Police Athletic League. Don was one of the founding members of the First Landing 1607.com Project. VCA was the umbrella organization for the project. Get free alerts at http://PrayInJesusName.org © 2024, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD. Airs on NRB TV, Direct TV Ch.378, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, GoogleTV, Smart TV, iTunes and www.PrayInJesusName.org
If you were at Mobilize Ohio last year, then this week's guest will be familiar to you! In today's episode of The Restoried Podcast, we are welcoming Jason Johnson. Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys.He currently serves as the National Director of The Pure Religion Project with Christian Alliance for Orphans. In his work, he develops resources, coaches leaders, and teaches in a variety of contexts on church-based ministry structures, organizational leadership, and strategy. He is also a sought-after speaker for churches, retreats, conferences, and events for foster and adoptive parents, as well as for those considering getting involved.Prior to his work at CAFO, Jason spent 14 years in church staff ministry, including planting and pastoring a church in Houston. It was there that his family's foster care journey began.Jason and his wife, Emily, live in Texas with their daughters. He has authored four books: Reframing Foster Care, Everyone Can Do Something, The ALL IN Curriculum, and Effectively Engaging Churches. You can find many of his resources at www.jasonjohnsonblog.comWe are thrilled to announce that Jason will be joining us again for Mobilize Ohio 2024! We are so excited to learn more from Jason and his valuable insight!Episode Highlights: Jason's Story Mobilize Ohio 2024 Dad's BbqEquipping Churches to Support Vulnerable Families in Foster CareCommunity/ConnectionWho should come to Mobilize Ohio 2024? Find more on Guest:Jason's Website Jason's BooksFind Jason On: IG Facebook YouTubeTwitterIndeedCAFO Website Pure Religion ProjectFind More on Hope Bridge:REGISTER FOR MOBILIZE OHIO HERE Register for the Pastor's WorkshopRegister for the Dad's Bbq Visit Our Website Follow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook Foster Our Community Instagram This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.
In this powerful episode with Julie Bolos, we dove deep into the heart of caring for vulnerable children. Julie shared her invaluable experience from New Hope Peru to the Christian Alliance for Orphans, highlighting the urgent need for family-based care over institutional settings. We discussed the profound impact of trauma on a child's development and the importance of personal connection and individualized care. Our heartfelt conversation also touched on the transformative role of community and church support in building robust family environments for these children. It's clear that together, we can foster a world where every child finds the love and nurturing they need to thrive. Thank you for joining us on this journey to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. Julie Bolos is a compassionate advocate for the welfare of children in care systems. Her insights into the dynamics between paid caregivers and the children they look after have cemented her reputation as a keen observer and an empathetic voice for the voiceless. Julie understands the delicate emotional balance required in these relationships, recognizing the children's acute awareness of the transactional nature of professional caregiving.Throughout her career, Julie has unwaveringly pointed out the psychological impact on children who learn to suppress their emotions and negative behaviors to meet the expectations of a system that often rewards compliance over genuine well-being. She passionately argues that every child's needs are unique and require tailored solutions that acknowledge their individuality. Bolos's advocacy work emphasizes the creation of environments where children feel genuinely cared for and allowed to express themselves fully rather than merely adapting to the implicit norms of institutionalized care.Julie's mission is propelled by a deep understanding of the emotional complexities involved in care systems, and she tirelessly works towards reforms that prioritize each child's individual needs, advocating for a world where their emotional health and personal growth are placed at the forefront of caregiving practices.----LinksChristian Alliance for Orphans = https://cafo.org/New Hope Peru = https://donate.newhopeperu.org
Dr. Chaps has a special Skype interview with Chris Long, who helps us look through our past lens. Today we focus on remembering the faith that withheld those going into battle on D-Day. Chris Long was instrumental in bringing about this monument in DC. The final plans were approved by the Commission on Fine Arts. Construction began in July of 2022 and was completed in December of 2022. The dedication ceremony of the D-Day Prayer on Veterans Day at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., was a time to honor all our veterans and give glory to God. The Christian Alliance of America is planning educational tours of the National and War Monuments, including the D-Day Prayer, led by historians Bill Federer and David Barton, as well as other special guests. Get free alerts at http://PrayInJesusName.org © 2023, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD. Airs on NRB TV, Direct TV Ch.378, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, GoogleTV, Smart TV, iTunes and www.PrayInJesusName.org
What does it mean to belong? How do we dismantle toxic systems and create equity in our missional spaces? Hosts Blake and Erin talk with Eeva Simard and Beth Birmingham about their practical book on organizational leadership and gender equality: Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Be sure to pick up your copy at the CBE bookstore and visit The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development to follow their work. Guest Bios: Beth Birmingham is a professor, leadership consultant, author, speaker and facilitator/steering committee member for The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development. She's spent twenty-five years developing leaders for and serving in global development organizations, work that has taken her to over thirty countries. Beth is a member of the Wheaton Consortium for Development, Gender, and Christianity. Beth holds a PhD in leadership and change from Antioch University, and an MBA in international economic development from Eastern University. Eeva Sallinen Simard is project director of World Relief's SCOPE project that works in Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, and South Sudan to support health outcomes for mothers and babies. She has worked with nonprofits for ten years and is committed to excellence in management, communication, and employee wellbeing. Eeva is an advisor for the Wheaton Consortium for Development, Gender, and Christianity and a steering committee member of The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development. Eeva holds an MS in international politics from the University of Helsinki and an MBA from John Hopkins University. Together they co-authored Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive (IVP, 2022). Other Resources: Global Impact: Religious Gatekeeping and Egalitarian Leadership with Dr. Beth Birmingham Speakers Highlight: Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive | Eeva Sallinen Simard and Beth Birmingham Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in CBE's Mutuality Matters' podcast are those of its hosts or guests do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.
Charlie and Blake take the questions you email them at Freedom@CharlieKirk.com including: -What's the right fix to the neverending student loan crisis? -Is Michelle Obama an "ethno-narcissist?" -Did Mike Pence seriously say that Middle America's implosion is "not my concern"? -Should Christian conservatives ally with Muslims?Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just as Jesus reconciled us to the Father, he restored our relationships with one another. When we were in need of a home, Jesus lovingly accepted us into his family. Similarly, caring for the fatherless often entails opening our home to children who need a secure and nurturing environment. As followers of Christ, how can we personally answer the biblical mandate to uphold and support orphans?In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss caring for orphans through foster care, adoption, and discipleship, no matter your season of life. Through prayer and faithful obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading, we can all do something to love and care for the fatherless.Episode time stamps:Aixa's family story of foster care and adoption (0:00)Spiritual adoption and spiritual orphans (9:25)Cross-cultural adoption and cultural diversity (13:45)How the church can broaden its view (15:24)Caring for the fatherless through discipleship (21:30)Spiritual fathers and mothers (24:46)Supporting families called to foster care and adoption (28:20)The Lord's grace and your unique calling (36:41)Recommended resources: Trusted organizations from the Christian Alliance for OrphansEveryone Can Do Something by Jason Johnson (book)"5 Ways Your Church Can Support Foster Care" by Ryan MacDonald (article)"Loving the Widow" by K. A. Ellis (message from TGCW18)
We're glad you're here and listening today! Join us as Foster Carolina's host, Susanna Kavanaugh interviews Jason Weber, a giant in the foster care ministry world. More Than Enough is the ministry Jason leads under the Christian Alliance for Orphans banner. More Than Enough believes "that local networks of passionate churches, organizations, and advocates like you can work together to fill the biggest gaps in caring for children and families in every one of the 3,142 counties in the US." The two leaders discuss what brought Jason into understanding the need within the foster care system, how he kept getting a bit further each time he would say yes, and how you can plug in with the More Than Enough mission. He also gives a powerful call to action. He reiterates that we have a direct and clear call from God, as a Christian, to care for the orphaned in some way and we need to say yes when we figure out our way. You can find the More Than Enough website at: https://morethanenough.cafo.org/about/ THANKS FOR LISTENING! Follow along with us on: Instagram: @lotcarolinas Facebook: Least of These Carolinas AND visit our website: www.lotcarolinas.com
A look at a recent decision by the Christian Alliance
This week, Jason Johnson from Christian Alliance for Orphans returns to the show. Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys. In this episode, Jason names and shares many of the struggles and challenges that foster and adoptive parents go through. He encourages us to find safe spaces and communities where we can process our emotions and have open and honest conversations. Podcast Sponsor Faith to Action Initiative is hosting an upcoming webinar on Jun 8, 2023! Sign up today! Beyond Selfie Missions: How Missions Became All About ‘Me' and What to do About It. You will learn practical ways to negate “selfie missions”, realign your missions efforts with the heart of God, and participate in transformational and reconciling missions work around the world. Resources and Links from the show Jason's Blog Reframing Foster Care Everyone Can Do Something Episode 167: Jason Johnson Everyone Can Do Something Episode 216: Poverty and Family Separation in US Child Welfare with Sarah Winograd Art of Gathering by Priya Parker Quit by Annie Duke Stolen Focus by Johann Hari Biola Missions Conference on YouTube Show Notes Jason catches us up on what he's been doing (5:00) The differences in how men and women approach fostering (8:10) Leading and following (11:00) Naming the struggles and grief involved in foster care(15:50) Giving ourselves the permission to think and feel (18:30) Being able to lean into the community around us (21:30) Improving how we do church engagement (25:00) Helping churches know how to care (28:00) Making the church our audience (31:00) Engagement as partnership (33:00) Urgency can breed scarcity (34:00) Focusing on family preservation and preventative measures (43:00) Living within the tensions and the need for foster care (45:00) Reckoning with the reality (46:00) Gaps and the spirit of scarcity (53:00) Gaps in the prevention space (56:00) Strategic benevolence and investing in the lives of at-risk families (58:50) Jason's recommendations (1:00:00)
For many of us, our reading of the Old Testament has been formed in a theological environment that has obscured the often subversive nature of the Bible's presentation of women and led to interpretations that can be harmful to women. But what if there was a way to read the Hebrew Scriptures faithfully by bringing our honest questions to the sometimes troubling details of the narratives concerning women and wrestling with what we find, in order to reclaim these stories and communicate the truth of women's equality with men before God in the context in which we currently live. That's the conversation Kenny had with Ali Blacklee Whittall for this episode. This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, abuse, and violence against women. If you would like more information on the issues discussed, or to get help if you are affected, then please see below for links. Episode 14 Outline: Start-01:38 - Introduction. 01:46-05:08 - Welcome to Ali and 3 questions. 05:16-10:17 - How did 'Seeing the Women of the Old Testament' become a research interest for you? Why do we tend to gravitate towards highlighting the men of the OT rather than the women? 10:25-18:23 - How do we maintain a faithful posture towards the Scriptures while at the same time acknowledging the problematic texts that include violence and abuse? 18:32-28:00 - Focusing specifically on the Book of Judges, could you give us an example of how we can recover the stories of women in the OT that have been obscured and silenced by our established readings? How then do Judges and Ruth segue to consolidate the central message? 28:09-33:39 - How can this approach to Scripture then help us now to communicate the value of women in our contemporary context? 33:47-End - Closing prayer and further information. Organisations that could help: Restored - restored-uk.org An international Christian Alliance working with and through the church to transform relationships and end violence against women. Report into churches in the UK: ‘In Churches Too: Church Responses to Domestic Abuse.' Press Red - pressred.org/ Educates, equips, and empowers on the issues of violence and abuse against women and girls. Women's Aid - womensaid.org.uk / Tel: 0505 200 0247 A national organisation which provides advice, support and a 24hr abuse helpline. National Domestic Violence Helpline - nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk / Tel: 0808 200 0247 If you have been personally affected by abuse or violence or are still in an abusive or violent relationship you can get help. It‘s a confidential 24 hour service. Refuge - refuge.org.uk / Tel: 0808 200 0247 (24 hour) / Email: info@refuge.org.uk Offers support, in partnership with Women's Aid, to help women and children escaping domestic violence. Respect Men's Advice Line - mensadviceline.org.uk / Tel: 0808 801 0327 Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. ManKind Initiative - mankind.org.uk / Tel:01823 334 244 Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.
Your Hosts, Yamine Vaughan and Laura Horvath talk about everyone's FAVORITE topic - DATA! Medical professionals understand that monitoring and evaluation is a huge and important part of our work in global health, certainly, but this optimistic voice believes that M&E is as important in the child welfare sector. It seems that everyone in the sector is struggling with how to find ways to capture data that can really tell us whether our interventions are having a positive impact or not. Guest Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Neville joins us to talk about the importance of M & E in the field of caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and the challenges in implementing best research practices in the field. In 2022, the Christian Alliance for Orphans created a grant called the Research Challenge Grant. This program was an opportunity for researchers to be connected with a nonprofit doing a promising practice in caring for orphans and vulnerable children. The researcher would conduct a study on that non-profit's program, write a paper on its outcomes, and share lessons learned. 5 organizations were selected for this first grant, and HCW was one of them. Sarah Elizabeth Neville, PhD, is a post doctoral research fellow at Brown University. She obtained her PhD from Boston college school of social work in 2022, where she conducted her dissertation on children reunifying with family after living in residential care institutions (orphanages) in Kenya. Sarah‘s research is on children and residential care in low- and middle-income countries, including strategies for enabling them to live in safe and nurturing families, preventing them from entering institutions, and enhancing their mental health and well-being. Sarah received her BA and MA in child development from Tufts University. Helpingchildrenworldwide.org
The way of Christ is to come near to need. President of Christian Alliance for Orphans Jedd Medefind joins guest host Thann Bennett to share about his own family's experience with adoption and foster care. He also talks about his work with the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Watch Jedd Medefind's “Planted. Not Buried.” CAFO2022 Summit Keynote message here. Sign up for Thann's newsletter here. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here
Show Notes In this episode, hosts Mimi and Kim continue their discussion with Dr. Beth Birmingham who explores egalitarian leadership in Christian humanitarian organizations. Birmingham gives clear insight into the day-to-day operations of Christian NGOs and reveals that their attempts at cultural sensitivity can lead to ignoring harmful patriarchal norms and gatekeeping women from leadership. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in CBE's Mutuality Matters' podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. Bio Dr. Beth Birmingham is an author, speaker, and chief facilitator for The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development. As a previous full-time professor at Eastern University, she's spent 25 years developing leaders for and serving in global development organizations, work that has taken her to over 30 countries. She is the co-author of Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive (IVP, 2022) and past publications on NGO Partnerships, including Shared Strength (Compassion Press, 2010). Beth is a member of the Wheaton Consortium for Development, Gender, and Christianity. Beth holds a PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, and an MBA in International Economic Development from Eastern University. Contact Information https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbirmingham Email: Beth@the-christianalliance.org Learn More about Dr. Birmingham https://www.cbeinternational.org/person/beth-birmingham/ https://www.eastern.edu/beth-birmingham https://www.ivpress.com/beth-birmingham https://www.tearfundusa.org/beth_birmingham Resources Read Dr. Beth Birmingham's book, Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Read a preview to Beth's CBE International 2022 Conference Presentation, Speaker Highlight: Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard. Watch Beth's CBE International 2022 Conference Presentation, Video: Creating Cultures of Belonging: Creating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Listen to our Mutuality Matters Podcast Interview with Ron and Arbutus Sider.
Show Notes In this episode, hosts Mimi and Kim interview Dr. Beth Birmingham who explores egalitarian leadership in Christian humanitarian organizations, discussing how their cultural, theological, and organizational perspectives often determine their commitment to egalitarian leadership. Birmingham combines a straight-forward analysis with personal faith and on-the-ground mentoring of women and men to provide a powerful lens into human flourishing in the nonprofit world. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in CBE's Mutuality Matters' podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. Bio Dr. Beth Birmingham is an author, speaker, and chief facilitator for The Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development. As a previous full-time professor at Eastern University, she's spent 25 years developing leaders for and serving in global development organizations, work that has taken her to over 30 countries. She is the co-author of Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive (IVP, 2022) and past publications on NGO Partnerships, including Shared Strength (Compassion Press, 2010). Beth is a member of the Wheaton Consortium for Development, Gender, and Christianity. Beth holds a PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, and an MBA in International Economic Development from Eastern University. Contact Information https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbirmingham Email: Beth@the-christianalliance.org Learn More about Dr. Birmingham https://www.cbeinternational.org/person/beth-birmingham/ https://www.eastern.edu/beth-birmingham https://www.ivpress.com/beth-birmingham https://www.tearfundusa.org/beth_birmingham Resources Read Dr. Beth Birmingham's book, Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Read a preview to Beth's CBE International 2022 Conference Presentation, Speaker Highlight: Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard. Watch Beth's CBE International 2022 Conference Presentation, Video: Creating Cultures of Belonging: Creating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Listen to our Mutuality Matters Podcast Interview with Ron and Arbutus Sider.
In this episode Levi talks with Mark Cain, podcast host and board member of the Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA). They discuss the term "unitarian". Mark outlines the circumstances in 2019 that led to the formation of a cross denominational conference for Christians. Levi and Mark talk about WCF's involvement with the UCA and the excitement of meeting others who share the belief that the God of the Bible is the Father alone and Jesus is his son. Mark describes how individual Christadelphians can join the UCA online world-wide Directory and benefit by connecting with other unitarians in their local area. Links: UCA Podcast What is the UCA --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/a-little-faith/message
Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard are the authors of Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. In this episode, we discuss what it means for churches and organizations to develop cultures of belonging. Not just cultures of inclusion, but cultures in which those who tend to be on margins actually have the opportunity to shape the church or organization when they are in positions of leadership.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard are the authors of Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive. Beth Birmingham is the facilitator for the Christian Alliance for Inclusive Development and professor at Eastern University.Eeva Sallinen Simard is project director at World Relief.While missional organizations largely serve women and children and are staffed largely by women, only about 15% of executive leadership are women.Eeva Sallinnen Simard tells us that in the largest NGOs in the U.S., only 5% of executive leadership are women.Beth Birmingham says we have adopted a toxic leadership model in missional spaces that contradicts the teaching of scripture.Missional organizations tend to demand a very masculine form of leadership.Eeva Sallinen Simard explains that a culture of belonging is one that not only welcomes women and minorities, but also allows them to contribute to the development of and even change the organization.To change a systemic problem, you need a systems approach.Beth Birmingham suggests that, rather than spending leadership development funds on experienced senior male leaders, missional organizations should spend those funds on young women still learning and growing in their leadership.Men in leadership tend to get uncomfortable with conversations about inclusion, often asking themselves, “What does this mean for me?”Eeva Sallinen Simard says organizations need to make declarative statements about the imago dei in all people and their calling to lead.Organizations that don't believe women can be called to roles of leadership should be forthcoming with that information so that women who want to grow in their leadership can serve in a place where their calling will be affirmed.Beth Birmingham believe that when we humble ourselves and surrender our agendas, God will pour out his blessing in other ways.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Books mentioned:Creating Cultures of Belonging, by Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinnen SimardBeth Birmingham:LinkedInInstagramEeva Sallinen Simard:LinkedInInstagramThe Christian Alliance for Inclusive DevelopmentChurch Leadership InstituteRelated episodes:Ep 28: Empowering Women in Ministry, with Tara Beth LeachEp 105: Courageous Leadership, with Rich Stearns
In episode 212, we've got a panel of executive directors that oversaw the transition of their orphanage to family based care. We'll be asking them the hard questions of how they worked with their board of directors and their donor bases to take the journey with them. Brandon will be interviewing past Think Orphan guests and orphan care leaders, Brent Phillips of Cherish Uganda, Ashlee Heiligman of Global Child Advocates and Spencer Reeves of Child Hope International. This panel took place live in Atlanta, Georgia at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Annual Summit. Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
There are ten thousand banks and credit unions these days where you can open an account, but not many allow you to directly serve the Kingdom with your savings. Aaron Caid is the Chief Marketing Officer at Christian Community Credit Union. At CCCU, Aaron is able to align his faith with years of financial services experience. CCCU has a long history and just celebrated 65 years this past summer. It was founded by several Baptist pastors in California to help find financing for churches. CCCU expanded since then to serve Christ followers. Whether it's a church needing financing for a new building, a couple purchasing their first home, a student opening their first checking account, CCCU is here to help their members manage their money wisely. CCCU's values are rooted in Scripture. Matt 22:37-38 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. Home and business mortgages, auto loans, checking accounts, savings accounts - are just a few services that CCCU offers. They have better rates and lower fees. CCCU partners with businesses to help business thrive and to build your business and help your ministry expand and therefore help the kingdom grow. As a faith based, not-for-profit member owned, CCCU products are designed to help their members thrive financially, but they also look at supporting Christian missions and causes that their members care about. You can join CCCU through your affiliation with your Christian church, ministry or school; join our charity partner Christian Alliance for Orphans, or join through a family member that is already a part of the CCCU. Become a member here. The money you deposit in the Credit Union helps churches grow, ministries expand, and individuals thrive. Whether it's constructing or remodeling a new church building or funding a home loan, your money is working in the Christian community. On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: ● My mix in stock, both short and long term, has lost 20% in the last year. I pulled out much of my money and put it into I Bonds. Should I have done that? ● Through work I'm enrolled in a HSA, but my husband is in a FSA. But I'm told that this is not compatible. What should I do? Resources mentioned CCCU Find a CKA Sound Mind Investing Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to Questions@MoneyWise.org. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29
On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: As the Senate passes the so-call Respect for Marriage Act, critics caution it will threaten religious liberties. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives. In a statement on its passage, President Joe Biden said he will promptly and proudly sign it into law, adding Americans should have the right to marry the person they love. Meanwhile, late Tuesday night, riot police in hazmat gear took on protestors in China who say the recent curbs on COVID restrictions do not go far enough. Director of the Captive Nations Coalition on the Committee on Present Danger, Se Hoon Kim, joins to share what he thinks this signals for the country. And the new face of Twitter, Elon Musk, is vowing a crackdown on both child pornography and trafficking on the platform. CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Dawn Hawkins, joins to discuss this. On the final day of National Adoption Month, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind, joins to share whether there are enough adoptive homes and open arms for these children. Finally this evening, the Vatican approved the text of the new constitution for the Congregation of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. General Councilor of the congregation, Sister Begona Perez, joins to tell us more about the new constitution and what the main changes are. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn
Host Dr. Laura Horvath interviews the team behind the Attachment Theory Workshops being introduced as a means of bringing the lessons of Trauma-Informed care into low resource environments for social workers who work with primary caregivers taking on the challenges of accepting children into their homes to raise. We're really excited to introduce you to the guests on our panel today. They're all in some way connected to the University of Maine's Honors College, and working collaboratively with social workers on the ground in various parts of the global south, they've developed a tool to help caregivers heal the trauma of separation for themselves and their children, and learn how to form strong and healthy attachments with them. Even in places where the caregivers themselves are not literate. Patty Morell, an alumna of UMaine, was one of the first to even conceive of what we now call the Attachment Theory Workshop. Patty and her husband, Allen, have been active alumni, and have always looked for ways to engage energetic, altruistic college students from their University in meaningful ways to make a difference in local and international projects and programs. Elaine Thomas is a senior in the UMaine Honors College studying Business Management, Alli O'Neil is a Social Worker, who began with the AT team during her undergraduate study at the UMaine. And finally, Dr. Julie DellaMattera is a professor of early Childhood Development and Education at UMaine.Trauma-informed care (TIC) is critical in institutional settings to address not only the trauma of experiences that lead children to be enrolled into alternative care such as child care institutions (CCI), but also the inherent trauma that comes from a child being separated from her or his family. It's a critical consideration when orphanages transition from residential to family care models as well. It's critical that any reintegration plan moving children from separation (in institutional settings or living on the street) back to families. Orgs engaged in reintegration must apply principles of trauma-informed care at every stage: from intake and care at a CCI while awaiting placement, to preparing children and families for transition, and finally to monitoring and supporting post-placement. According to our panelist: It was a total surprise for them to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans annual summit a few years ago to present the concepts of the work they were doing alongside Helping Children Worldwide and to discover the overwhelming interest. From there, the number of organizations asking for support of this kind has grown exponentially. "We didn't realize we had created something new, something that didn't exist. ...a culturally competent attachment theory workshop designed specifically for non-literate caregivers. With the shift to rehome children internationally, agencies and NGOs have been looking for something that can support and strengthen families."UMaine: https://umaine.edu/ Honors College: https://honors.umaine.edu/ Article About Trip to Sierra Leone (Minerva Magazine - see pages 8 through 13): https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=minerva Video About Trip to Sierra Leone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheEwebrdbc Helping Haitian Angels: https://www.helpinghaitianangels.org/ Cherish Uganda: Helpingchildrenworldwide.org
Brian and Aubrey talk about entitlement… as it relates to Taylor Swift tickets. Then, one demographic is leaving the church at surprisingly high rates. Author and former journalist Ericka Andersen explains. Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, joins the show to talk about the "principle of subsidiarity," or meeting needs as close to home as possible, when caring for orphaned and vulnerable children… as well as how everyday Christians can find ways to support and pray for vulnerable children. And lastly, from ChurchLeaders.com, a Thanksgiving prayer. Guests: Ericka Andersen, Jedd MedefindSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's National Adoption Month, and for many child welfare advocates, this month is an opportunity to remind others that good intentions alone are not sufficient when making care decisions for orphaned and vulnerable children. Christians who are interested in adopting or even supporting adoption must prioritize following the lead of the best available research and proven practices. On Tuesday's Mornings with Eric and Brigitte, Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, shares how the principle of subsidiarity, or meeting needs as close to home as possible, accomplishes this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trent Taylor experienced sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence during the first half of his childhood. He traveled a horrific journey through the foster care system until he was adopted at the age of 9. After healing from his traumatic past, Trent, who is now 21, has devoted his life to helping others overcome past trauma by providing hope. Trent, who could have easily become another statistic, became a published author after co-authoring his autobiography, "Shattered No More," about his time in foster care. Since that time, he has donated the proceeds of his book back to charity. In addition, he recently released his second book titled "Battling the Invisible Enemy" which was written for teens who have experienced trauma.Trent is also involved in foster care reform at the national level and hopes to positively impact the trajectory of the foster care system for the children and teens in care.He is currently pursuing his degree in clinical counseling and plans to become a trauma consultant, but has already studied trauma extensively through college coursework, outside training, and the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Essentials course through the Christian Alliance for Orphans. He is also a practitioner in Trust-Based Relational Intervention through the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. Alongside his mom, who is also a practitioner, Trent considers it a blessing to serve families by showing them the true healing that is found in God.Trent also serves as co-founder and CEO for Watch Me Rise, which is a ministry devoted to working on behalf of children who have experienced trauma as he once did. Invite Trent to speak at your church, organization, or event, or for training, through his website!----------------------------------MORE FROM THE SHOW:Watch Me Rise website: https://watchmerise919.org/Empowered to Connect: https://empoweredtoconnect.org/Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO): https://cafo.org/Battling the Invisible Enemy book: https://www.amazon.com/Battling-Invisible-Enemy-Technology-Pornography/dp/1798838435Your Brain on Porn: https://learn.covenanteyes.com/your-brain-on-porn-1/?_ga=2.9649269.1379161884.1661299660-1928681683.1661299660Covenant Eyes accountability app: https://www.covenanteyes.com/how-it-works/ --------------------------------MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:Behind The Mike website:https://BehindTheMikePodcast.comEmail: Mike@BehindTheMike.netSupport the show
In episode 199, we're talking with old friend and President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, Jedd Medefind. With his years of leadership in the OVC space, we pick Jedd's brain on what trends he's seeing and what the future might hold for advocates and practitioners alike. We then get into a longer conversation on Roe v. Wade and the practical implications if federal legislation on abortion changes. Full show notes can be found at thinkorphan.com
Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility, Adoption & Foster Care
How can churches support kids in foster care and prevent children from entering foster care? Join us for our discussion with Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and Amber Knowles, the Executive Director of The Riverside Project (formerly Fostering Family).In this episode, we cover:We call it a foster care “crisis”. What does that term mean? What are the needs of foster children?What is each organization doing to help engage churches in caring for foster kids?What are ways people of faith can help improve the world of fostering if they know that they aren't able to actually get licensed to foster?How can churches provide support for people once they are parenting kids from foster care—either through fostering or adoption?How can churches work to support birth families to help once the child has been reunified or to help stabilize them so that children don't end up in care?How can faith communities get involved with supporting foster families and foster kids?The Jockey Being Family® Back to School Bash events will take place during the weekend of August 5-7th, 2022. These gatherings are geared towards foster and adoptive families with children 5-14 years of age. This is a chance to celebrate, educate, and empower families with a fun-filled and informative event as they prepare to head back to school for the upcoming year. Jockey Being Family® Foundation will provide grants for up to $3,000 to eligible organizations to help bring a Back to School Bash to your community. Together, we can be a much-needed support network for foster and adoptive families across the country. Email JBFBSB@jockey.com for additional information. More Than EnoughFostering Family and the Riverside ProjectVideo: Riverside Project This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family buildingPlease leave us a rating or review RateThisPodcast.com/creatingafamilySupport the show
On this best of podcast, college student Abigail Rist thinks about about Ukraine, where she grew up as a missionary child. Christian Alliance for Orphans' Jedd Medefind talks about growing crisis of children orphaned by the Russian invasion. Morning with Carmen is made possible by you. Support us!
On this best of podcast, college student Abigail Rist thinks about about Ukraine, where she grew up as a missionary child. Christian Alliance for Orphans' Jedd Medefind talks about growing crisis of children orphaned by the Russian invasion. Morning with Carmen is made possible by you. Support us!
Mar 7, 2022 From Matthew Janzen of Ministers of the New Covenant I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Cain of the Unitarian Christian Alliance Podcast, a podcast I just began listening to in December of 2021. I was immediately hooked after listening to just a few episodes, not just because the content was an encouragement to us sometimes lonely Biblical Unitarians, but because of Mark's casual, friendly, and gracious style. Here you'll learn about the podcast's beginnings, Mark's upbringing, and a little more about Mark's personal beliefs and journey to where he is at currently. The Unitarian Christian Alliance may be found here You can sign up for free to become a member (and find others like you all across the world and maybe even in your area). The podcast page is here And here is the YouTube link where I listen ~~~ Ministers of the New Covenant WE BELIEVE IN Yahweh the Father, Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, and in Yeshua the Messiah His only begotten Son, our Master. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Miriam, lived a sinless life according to Torah, and preached the Good News of the Kingdom. He suffered and died as a substitute sacrifice for our sin, and was resurrected on the third day for our justification. Eternal life is this: knowing the Father and His Son, made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit, a new heart and mind. After this gift, the believer is given the ability to follow Yahweh's holy law. Following this law is the inevitable fruit of regeneration and justification. ~~~~~~~ From Be Good Broadcast Please leave a review wherever you can to help propagate the word. If this blessed you, just please share it. I started this to be able to listen and discern these thing for myself as I go. I'm just using my best possible discernment rebroadcasting these messages. I hope you would all visit these various pages and help them out as you see fit. And I hope you are able to further discern and distill these words into a more pure truth. As always, if you like any of these and think it may be beneficial to someone, just please share it. It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. Contact Me My Twitter My Paypal My CashApp My Subscribestar Or Buy me a coffee --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/begoodbroadcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/begoodbroadcast/support
Do you have a theology of fundraising? This was a fascinating question that Michael Mitchell posited on the show recently, and it led to a great conversation about what’s really important in our craft. Michael is Director of Development and Discipleship at Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). In our conversation, Michael talked a lot about […]