While attending a church service in Zambia, an American visitor, Gary Schneider, was struck by the pastor’s passionate call to care for orphans in the local community, a community dramatically affected by AIDS and poverty. Those in the congregation faced real need themselves, needs we can barely imagine. But, as the service ended, one after another stepped forward with money, food, and material things, some even taking off their own shoes and placing them in the offering as a response to the pastor’s call for the orphans.
Gary Schneider, President of Every Orphan’s Hope, was so impacted that he began to help Zambian leaders coordinate Orphan Sunday efforts across Zambia which spread to the United States in 2003.
It stands as a day specifically set apart to bring attention to God’s call for us to stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless, to care for the child who has no family, to visit orphans in their distress. Orphan Sunday is our opportunity as preadoptive families, adoptive families, and those who have hearts for children around the world to rouse the Church, our communities, and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. It’s an opportunity for the Body to demonstrate what we are for instead of simply what we are against. What we are for is what God’s heart is for–and God’s heart is for the orphan both in an earthly sense as well as a spiritual sense (Exodus 22:22-23; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 29:12; Psalm 10:14,17-18; Psalm 27:10; Psalm 68:5-6; Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 31:8-9; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 56:5; Hosea 14:3; Matthew 18:5; Matthew 25:40; John 14:18; Romans 8:14-17; Romans 8:23; Romans 9:4; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; Galations 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:3-5; James 1:27)
“Orphan Sunday helps to bring the message of the orphan to the eyes, ears, hands and feet of God’s huge family,” said Ed Schwartz, President, Loving Shepherd Ministries.
“Orphan Sunday isn’t about charity; it’s about the mission of Christ. I pray that every Gospel-transformed congregation will observe Orphan Sunday, calling all Christians to our mandate to image Christ by caring for his little brothers and sisters, the fatherless of the world,” said Russell D. Moore, Dean of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Adopted for Life
Today, Mark and I spent the day absorbing, taking in, learning, and fellowshipping at the MidAtlantic Orphan Summit in Hershey. We heard 8 speakers today–so I’m a bit overwhelmed with all the information we heard. May the Lord use me–use the 500 people who were there today–to impact their churches and their communities and their circles of influence to reach the 147 million orphans worldwide. And, may He teach us to image Him, to care about what He cares about, to experience heartbreak when His does, and to be filled with His hope for His children.
Summit V – Why are you here? from Tapestry on Vimeo.
Thank you for this post, Kelly. I seen this video via Ferrill’s link, too. Powerful message!
I checked with our church to see if they were doing anything for Orphan’s Sunday, only to learn that they hadn’t even heard of it. Since it was only a few weeks away at that point, they said it was too late to plan anything for this year, but maybe something they could pray about doing next year. We belong to a mega church, so it’s hard to have your voice heard and you often feel like a number. I have been praying about how God wants to use me there, as it’s really a burden on my heart, and I have been struggling with the fact that our church does not have any type of orphans or adoption ministry, yet we have several members who have adopted. I feel it is a deep need. After much persistance, I have finally gotten some ‘real’ attention from one of our associate pastors, but he wants me to start by organizing a small prayer group about it, and then go from there. He also said if this is something I am passionate about, that I would have to lead it and commit to heading it. I wanted to help all along, but we are 45minutes from our church, so it depends on how much it would take. It’s something I’m praying about on many levels, and would love any advice you may have.
Happy Orphans Sunday and God bless! <>< love,
Tanya
Hey Kelly–your kids are too cute!! I am looking forward to following your blog. It was great to meet you at the conference.
First off, thanks for stopping by my blog.
This post was very touching! I think we will be doing Orphan Sunday officially next year. We too believe in humanitarian aid and participate with our church by giving school bags, newborn kits and hygeine kits. There is so much good to do in this world – I wish there were more people like you trying to make a difference.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!