ORPHAN SUNDAY IS NOV. 3. Ill take anyone. Old or young, dad or mom, black, white. I dont care. And I would be really appreciative.” ~ ABC News interview with Davion Only, a 15-year-old boy in Foster Care appealing to be adopted! Pastor and Friends, Davion Only arrested my attention, and I hope he captures yours as well. He continued; I just want people to love me for who I am and to grab me and keep me in their house and love me no matter what.” Upon learning that his birth mother had died in prison just weeks before searching online for her, he told his caseworker that he wanted to make a plea at a church for someone to adopt him. So in front of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., he said; My name is Davion, and Ive been in foster care since I was born. I know God hasnt given up on me. So Im not giving up either. The response has been overwhelming! Davion’s story was picked up by many news sources including Good Morning America, and hundreds have inquired about adopting Davion. Maybe voices like his are what it takes to inspire our response! As you may know, Orphan Sunday is November 3rd! God believes in adoption and so do we! That is why we must respond to the orphan’s cry. These tools and resources listed below and also on our website, will assist you in unpacking the duty to care “for the widows and orphans” given in James 1:27. First, what is Orphan Sunday? Whether you are a pastor or a member, Orphan Sunday is an opportunity to share with your church the sad statistics of just how many children wake up each morning without a family, a hope or a future. But these children are not “somewhere else;” they are right here in Louisiana-even in your community. So, November 3rd is the perfect moment to share with your church this great need in our state. Second, how can you share, inform and activate? 1. Share the Gospel’s message of Adoption from your pulpit! Click here for Sermon Notes and Videos that LFF has hand-selected for your use. 2. Host a Heart Gallery! Its not difficult; download and frame these photos to communicate the need in a life changing way; it does not matter the shape or size of the Gallery. By showing these children’s faces, you will present the ministry of adoption to the church and an opportunity for potential parents. See examples here. 3. Provide Adoption Information at an Interest Table. It is important to have a church representative at this table even if they do not have all the answers! Sign up interested families and send us the feedback so we can connect you with the right organizations and additional resources! You might have enough families sign up to host an orientation! Download this sign-up sheet indicating whether they are interested in fostering, adopting or serving on a Support Team (Respite Care). The Support Team will lend a hand where ever needed to a foster family. The Church activates the Gospel through simple acts of kindness! Can’t be a part on November 3rd? No problem! The entire month of November is Adoption Awareness Month! Consider inviting foster children from your area to share their story or learn about and share a Foster family’s need. Engage your church before year’s end! news.yahoo/video/teenage-foster-childs-plea-family-003805401.html?utm_source=Louisiana+Family+Forum&utm_campaign=63acd8289e-Pastors_OrphanSunday10_25_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_127a05e65c-63acd8289e-213069969 Gene Mills, Louisiana Family Form P.S. Mark your Calendars for Orphan Sunday, November 3rd, and invite the church to be equipped at the 127 Conference in Alexandria November 16th! You wont want to miss this exciting opportunity! Louisiana Family Forum 655 St. Ferdinand Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 04:38:33 +0000
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