Launching a Church Adoption Fund Webinar – Sept 15th

We had great response to our last webinar in August and as mentioned our next one is on Launching a Church Adoption Fund. Join us as we explore how churches can help families meet the financial challenge to adoption costs. This webinar will provide an overview of how to establish a simple yet effective church adoption assistance fund.

September 15th, 2009
1pm EST
To register please email info@abbafund.org

This webinar is ideal for lay people, pastors, elders, staff, adoption ministry teams, anyone interested in how their church can be a part of helping families with the cost of adoption.

Family Leaving for Ethiopia Today

It is a joy when we see families travel to pick up their adopted children! Today the Rush family from Desert Springs Church (one of our church adoption fund partners) leaves to pick up their new adopted daughter from Ethiopia. I love what one of their pastor’s wrote to them to encourage them:

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to write a quick note to say how proud of you I am today (I know that sounds dumb and paternal, but it’s really how I feel) as you embark on this journey to the other side of the world. You are helping our church see a picture of the Gospel that we need to see much more of. I praise God for this. You are laying down your lives for “the least of these” and this is one of our primary callings in this broken world. You have taken a great step of faith that will change her life, but also yours and those who watch you with eyes of faith. As you live out the promise that it is more blessed to give than receive, know that God’s Spirit goes with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. Always remember that God is holding your precious daughter with a much tighter grip than we ever could. I know we both share great comfort in this truth and may it give you rock solid confidence as you look into the future with your beautiful new family member. Know that we love you and will be praying for you earnestly in these next seven days.

We love you,

z

Orphans, Church Planting, and the Nations

After lunch with a friend yesterday I decided to record my brief thoughts at the local Panera on orphans and mission (Thanks Snow Leopard!)

Church Adoption Fund Receives Big Gift

Grace Church of DuPage, IL recently established a church adoption fund through ABBA with a goal of raising $20,000 to help families. Before they made it public or did any fundraising God blessed them in a big way. One of their adoption fund team members wrote me:

“We’d been brainstorming about flea markets, spaghetti dinners, car washes and special offerings. I learned last night that OUR GOAL HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED! Even typing that brings tears to my eyes. We can start dispensing these funds now! What a God of grace and might we have. I am reminded that he is the one who owns the cattle on a thousand hill. I believe that he is pleased with our feeble efforts to develop a culture of adoption at Grace Church.”

Click here to learn more about how you can establish a local church adoption fund and help families with the cost of adoption.

Modern Day Foot-Washing

**WARNING** This video contains graphic content.

The NewSpring Church medical missions team doing foot-washing and jigger removal in Depatus, Kenya.
I am speachless.
Lord, please remove every jigger from the face of this earth that causes this kind of pain!
Lord, move your church to go and do what this group did in your name!
Amen.