Next Meeting: Spokane Orphan Summit

In lieu of an OFF The WALL Meeting I want to make you all aware once again of the Spokane Orphan Summit coming up this Saturday, March 16th.  Registration, Coffee and Donuts start at 8:00 am with the Worship and the First Session kicking off at 8:30.  Here is the link to register if you haven't done so already: http://www.spokaneorphansummit.com/online-registration.html

If you can't make it to the Spokane Orphan Summit our next OFF The WALL Meeting is Sunday May 19th at Christ The Redeemer Church at 5:30 pm.  The topic will be:

"An Insider's View of the Child Welfare System" - Jon Pemberton

More information to follow at: http://CTROrphanCare.blogspot.com

And another great way to get together in a more informal setting and network with others on the journey is the:

Summit Ridge Potluck for Foster and Adoptive Families - Sunday April 28th, 4-6 pm.

Stay tuned for info at: http://CTROrphanCare.blogspot.com

Blessings and Hope to see you soon,

Jason Wiens

http://SpokaneOrphanSummit.com

http://CTROrphanCare.blogspot.com

Want to Know What God Says About Adoption?

There is a free "Adopted By Design" seminar this Saturday, November 3rd from 10-12.  "Do you want to know what God says about adoption?"  "Want to Know What God Says About Adoption?"  Immanuel Baptist Church - 5109 N. Adams Street Spokane, WA.

ADOPTION: Authentic Christianity in a Culture of Disposable Children

Christ The Redeemer's, Pastor Carey Hughes, gives a thought provoking talk "Adoption: Authentic Christianity in a Culture of Disposable Children" at the first Spokane Orphan Summit two weeks ago. I encourage you to take the time to listen.

God Working Through the S.O.S.

One of the stories that came out of the Spokane Orphan Summit (held April 21st at Faith Bible Church) is written below.  This couple gave permission to share this story as an encouragement to others who might find themselves in a similar situation.


Written on April 25th:
I (Amber Copelin) wanted to email and share with you what happened this last weekend and how God used the S.O.S. to change a man and his true north with his family.

Since I was little I knew I had a passion for adoption. As I grew the dream faded and life stepped in. A few years ago I began working with state foster care children. That dream and passion that had once faded was alive and blazing in my soul, I became broken for their precious hearts. I wanted to change the world one child at a time for God’s kingdom. I was broken for these little lives and wanted so desperately to rescue them all. There was one boy in particular who grabbed my heart and I knew I couldn’t sit by no longer.

I would share my heart and my desire with my husband to no avail. He was absolutely positive, for various reason, our family was done growing and that we were still trying to get the last two kids at home raised and out so we could continue our dream of traveling the world. A few times I pleaded and said I would give all my earthly dreams up if it meant saving just one child. My husband was supportive of my heart but firm in his no and encouraged me to help any other way I could but to not keep asking to adopt. At first I was hurt and mad and I even remember telling him I was going to pray and have God change his heart, out of  my anger. Well needless to say God changed my heart towards my husband on this issue and I found peace in this. 
I would continue on, time would pass, and by this time I was volunteering for Antioch Adoptions. The dream and passion was still alive and my heart was to still see all of these children have forever homes with others who would love them as much as I did.
 My husband would get involved working behind the scenes with me, he even played Santa for some foster kids. I was so in love with his heart to be supportive of me and in his way for these sweet children. 

Then last weekend our family was changed forever. 

Here, in part, is the story of one man and his family finding there true north together.
(taken from a letter he (Kevin Copelin) wrote to our friends)

A little over 2 years ago, Amber started working in a position where she was daily exposed to kids in the foster system. A couple times, she tried to convince me that we should consider adopting one; real easy answer was, “that will NEVER happen”. I had various reasons, admittedly some were quite selfish, but there was no way we would ever be united on that decision. Amber accepted my answer and never nagged me about it, she just kept praying; she didn’t tell me she was praying, though I should have known because she normally does not fight fair. 
The more she has gotten involved, with various foster programs; I have encouraged her hoping it would satisfy her desire to bring them all home. I have gone to a few support planning meetings and, this past weekend, attended an Orphan Summit SOLELY for the purpose of being a good husband and supporting my wife. The Orphan Summit was really not any new information but, as I sat there listening about the fact Washington State has 1,500 children who are legally free and awaiting a home, my heart was breaking for them. I was trying to figure out what program, what way I could help them without giving in on my stance that bringing one home would “NEVER” happen. There were other factors, that will have to wait for the expanded version of the story, that were really making me struggle with the idea that we were to bring one of these children into our home. Saturday afternoon, evening, and night, I was really wrestling with this idea; spent a good bit of time talking to God about it and trying to convince myself that I must have really lost my mind. Of course I could not talk to Amber about it; the slightest inkling would have raised her hopes too high for me to ever back down. 
Sunday morning, I felt confirmed that we are meant to give one of these children a home, to love them, protect them and raise them as if we gave birth to them ourselves; whatever sacrifice that involves, insignificant! Sunday afternoon I spent more time praying, reading my Bible, and really making sure that was what we are supposed to do. I finally decided to let Amber into what I was dealing with. As expected, she was joyous beyond terms. We are starting the paperwork and beginning a new journey that I would have not expected even 4 days ago. 
That leaves 1,499. Would anyone else like to join us in bringing that number down?

This is truly the readers digest story of what happened in my husband and our family this last week, but the ending is the same. We are starting the paper work to become a forever home to a child that God had a plan to be a part of our family from the beginning, a Copelin.


Amber Copelin has also written a book called "Will You Love Me When."

ADOPTION: Authentic Christianity in a Culture of Disposable Children

Carey Hughes is Senior Pastor of Christ The Redeemer Church in Spokane, Washington. His heartbeat in ministry has always been for kids, having served as a youth pastor and family pastor for over twelve years. Carey and his wife, Tricia, committed themselves to be involved in adoption during their engagement, and after having four biological children, welcomed their first adopted child Josiah. Soon came Abby, Chaya, and Maddie bringing the family total to eight – thus far! 


The Hughes’ have considerable experience in both fostering and adopting through the state and now have helped to found an orphan care ministry at their church called  “Off the Wall,” so named for the early church’s practice of receiving discarded children left at the city wall. Carey and Tricia minister with the passionate conviction that if Christians want to share the gospel with authenticity and power in a culture filled with “disposable children,” Christians must give their support to providing foster care and adoption both here and around the world. 
Register at SpokaneOrphanSummit.com

Orphan Care: What God Could Do in the Churches of Washington (and Idaho)

Rick Valore leads a ministry in Colorado called Project 1.27.  Project 1.27's founder, Pastor Robert Gelinas said, 


“The body of Christ needs to come together to make sure there are no children waiting for homes in Colorado. It is a travesty that we have kids waiting for homes in our own back yards. That should never be the case….”  


To that end, this ministry seeks to mobilize churches to take care of orphans in the state of Colorado.  Since its beginning in 2008 the number of children waiting to be adopted from the foster care system has been cut in half.  The vision is to have no waiting children in the next 3 years.  Rick is coming to spread this vision of no waiting children to the Inland Northwest.  Come and hear his talk, "Orphan Care: What God Could Do in the Churches of Washington (and Idaho)."


More details for the conference are available at http://SpokaneOrphanSummit.com
Please register today.

Are you trying to find out more about adoption?

Spokane Orphan Summit will be April 21st from 8:00 - 4:30 at Faith Bible Church.  If you would like to foster or adopt some day but don't know where to start, then this conference is for YOU!




Here are some of the breakout sessions that are available:

1) Myths and Truths about Foster Care

(There are a lot of stories to sift through about foster care. It can be hard for potential foster parents to sort through what is myth and what is reality.)   Come hear a speaker share how Christians can work within the foster care system to care for children who desperately need families.)

2) Panel Q&A Discussion Part 1- Pro's and Con's about the different Adoption Options.

(This breakout session will be a panel discussion led by people who have experienced the gamut of adoption.  There will be parents on the panel who have adopted from; foster care, domestic agencies, private adoption and also from a variety of international countries.  Some have adopted infants while others have adopted older children.  Each adoption option has its own inherent twists and turns.  Come and learn more about which adoption path might be right for your family.)

3) Panel Q&A Discussion Part 2 – Pro's and Con's about the different Adoption Options.

(This breakout session will be a continuation of Part 1.  The same panel will be available to help you answer questions and wrestle with which adoption path might be right for your family.  Warning: You might leave with more questions than you came with.)

Lunch will be provided and childcare will be provided for children 5 and under.

Please register online at SpokaneOrphanSummit.com so that we provide a sufficient amount of food and workers to care for your children.

Are you on an adoption journey?

Spokane Orphan Summit will be April 21st from 8:00 - 4:30 at Faith Bible Church.  If you are already on the adoption journey and would like support from others who have already been through an adoption, then this conference is for YOU!  


Here are some of the breakout sessions that are available:

1) Eternal Lessons During Seasons of Waiting

(Adoption is filled with opportunities to learn lessons about waiting.  Waiting on the Lord is something talked about extensively in scripture but in our "now" culture it can be difficult.)

2) When Adoption/Post Adoption Doesn't Go As Planned

(Being flexible and having plans change is the name of the game on the adoption journey.  What do you do when life throws you a curve ball?  When you have done everything you feel that God has called you to do and then things don't turn out how you expect, then what?  Come and learn from a couple who has seen a few curve balls come their way.)

3) Helping Adopted Children Deal with Grief of Adoption at Different Ages and Stages of Life

(Adoption is a blessing as children are connected with their families.  The truth of this blessing does not take away the fact that adoption stories also include loss.  As adopted children grow-up most will go through grief at the loss(es) they have experienced in their life.  The grief process varies for every child but there are some things that we can expect along the journey.  How can we help our child deal with their grief in a way that brings healing?)

Lunch will be provided and childcare will be provided for children 5 and under.

Please register online at SpokaneOrphanSummit.com so that we provide a sufficient amount of food and workers to care for your children.

Do you want to support an adoption culture?

Spokane Orphan Summit will be April 21st from 8:00 - 4:30 at Faith Bible Church.  If you would like to be involved in orphan care by supporting an adoption culture this conference is for YOU.  Here are some of the breakout sessions that are available:

1) Helping the Church Find its True North

(What does a culture of adoption look like and how can The Body of Christ foster a culture of adoption in The Church?)

2) The Theology of Adoption

(Gaining a deeper appreciation for our adoption as members of God's family and finding out how this can revolutionize how we view life.)

3) Strategizing Roundtable Discussion – Let's Do This Together 

(With God at work in us as The Body of Christ in the Inland Northwest, how can we work together to take care of children in our state and around the world?)


One more thing -  Please encourage your pastors and church staff to come to this Summit.  Mobilizing The Church can be much more effective when church leaders are involved.

Lunch will be provided and childcare will be provided for children 5 and under.

Please register online at SpokaneOrphanSummit.com so that we provide a sufficient amount of food and workers to care for your children.

An Important Connection

Have we as The Church fully connected these two issues; 
ABORTION - - - - - - - - -ADOPTION?


Can we say to someone considering abortion, "Every child IS a wanted child! and that there is a loving family waiting and desiring to love your baby"?


Adoption needs to be part of our "church culture".  If you would like to learn more about how you could adopt, or support others who are adopting, then find an adoption conference near you.  


There is an adoption conference coming to Spokane on April 21st, SOS (Spokane Orphan Summit).  


And there are many other conferences going on in cities all around the country this year.  Let's get TOGETHER and care for every child in our country waiting for a loving family.  And let's not stop there.  There are orphans all around the world in need of love and protection.  Let's not let the IMMENSITY of the need overwhelm us.   Adoption and orphan care are about ONE CHILD AT A TIME.


Three Opportunities Coming To Spokane That Could Make a Difference!

"The Great Turnaround" is a movement of churches, in cooperation with Life-Services, to send a positive message to women contemplating an abortion, "there is no such thing as a hopeless situation."  Kick-off is March 12, 7:00 pm at the INB Performing Arts Center.



"October Baby" is a story with strong themes of bitterness/forgiveness, guilt/healing, death/life.  The STORY has the power to change lives.  "Tell me a fact and I'll learn, tell me the truth and I believe, but tell me a STORY, and it will live in my heart forever." Steve Sabol

Let's pray that more pastors in Spokane will get together to strategize about how to change the culture in this country from a culture of ABORTION to a culture of ADOPTION.  


HINT: One of the breakout sessions at the Spokane Orphan Summit will be "Strategizing Roundtable Discussion – Let's Do this Together".  This is an opportunity for us to help bring about change in the CULTURE OF ADOPTION in Spokane.

Spokane Orphan Summit "SOS"

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Spokane Orphan Summit, appropriately dubbed "SOS" for short is coming April 21st.

"Is this conference for me?" Excellent question!  

If you think you might want to adopt someday but don't know where to start, 

THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU.
If you are in the process of adopting (or you have already brought a child into your home through adoption) and you are looking for the support of people on a similar journey, 
THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU.
If you have a friend who has adopted, or you are a pastor, and would like to find ways that you and THE CHURCH could support others on their adoption journeys, 
THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU.

We believe that certainly not everyone is CALLED TO ADOPT but definitely everyone should BE INVOLVED!


Check out the SOS website for more information and by all means, SPREAD THE WORD!

I would be interested in attending a meeting/day conference to learn more about adoption.

Hopefully in the late spring or early fall of next year (2011) we will have a conference on the topic of orphan care.  We are in communication with some other Christians in Spokane who also have a heart for orphan care.  Perhaps we can pool our resources with these people and learn together how we can be more organized, more intentional and more supportive of one another as we seek to care for one of the most vulnerable populations on earth.

In the meantime here are a couple of conference resources to check out for your enrichment and edification.

1) Here is a link to a good website with a conference called "Adopting for Life" put on in February of 2010.

2) T4A or Together for Adoption put on their annual conference this past October 2010 and they will have audio available soon as well which will be a valuable resource.

Sorrow Before Triumph

"Sorrow Before Triumph" is a talk by David Platt, pastor of "The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham Alabama, who spoke at the "Adopting for Life" conference in February, 2010. It might take you a few minutes (58) to watch this video but I guarantee that after listening/watching this talk you will have a new perspective on the real joys and extreme trials that we experience in this life.

*Taken from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Resources website. These talks are from the Adopting for Life conference in February, 2010.  Other titles include: "Don't You Already Have Kids?:  Adding to Your Existing Family Through Adoption", "Adoption, Orphan Care and The Church: Finding Your Place in the Story of Redemption," and "A Call to Holiness: Crisis, Transracial Adoption and The Gospel."  At The Adopting for Life Conference in February, 2010 there were three general sessions, a question and answer panel and several break out session talks.