A Biblical Social Justice for the Orphan and Vulnerable Child

Over 2 million families are waiting to adopt in the U.S. alone. Although no more than 2% of Americans have adopted, more than 1/3 have considered adoption. I'm focusing on orphans and vulnerable children in this week's Unconventional Ministry News. November is National Adoption Month; a month set aside to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care.

The history of National Adoption Month dates back to 1976 when Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis announced the first Adoption Week. Governor Dukakis' idea grew in popularity and quickly spread nationwide. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Bill Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November.

To learn more, I invited Herbie Newell, Executive Director of LifeLine Children’s Services to join my Unconventional Ministry Podcast to share and educate on the topic. Did you know that LifeLine Children’s Services is the largest Christian adoption agency in America? They believe that adoption is essential for building the future of families in America.

Click HERE to listen to our informative podcast conversation!

The Church plays an important part in providing biblical social justice for orphan and vulnerable children! In addition, the Church is a vital community for the adoptive families in preparing for adoption as well as providing foster care. What is your doing this month to raise awareness to tis important issue?

In this podcast episode, learn about the paradigm shift that has happened with adoption. It has alway been that one of the great needs was for foster homes for the orphans and vulnerable children in waiting. The paradigm shift, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, is now over 2 million families waiting to adopt in the U.S. alone.

According to UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund), there are roughly 153 million orphans worldwide. Every day, an estimated 5,700 more children become orphans.

Here are some suggested ways you can be a voice and an advocate.

• Add orphans, vulnerable children, and adoptive families to your prayer list.
• Honor families that have grown through adoption.
• Recognize the hundreds of thousands of children waiting for permanent families.
• Spread awareness of adoption.
• Advocate for the wellbeing and future of children in foster care.
• Encourage your neighborhoods, communities, cities and states to take a stand.
• Ask your businesses and companies to support adoption.
• Ask your church what they are doing to be a vital community for the adoptive families.

There are three types of adoption:

1. Private Domestic Adoption — Children are primarily newborns, gender is rarely selectable, birth parents may change mind or wish to be involved, medium paperwork, costs.
2. Foster Care Adoption — Children are usually 6+ years old, gender can be chosen, parents/extended family often wish to remain involved, minimal paperwork and some costs.
3. International Adoption — Children range from 18-24 months to toddler/preschool-aged (most common) and older, gender can be chosen, family rarely involved, massive paperwork, may take 12-36 months, significant costs.

Some recommended adoption and foster care recourses:

• Lifeline Children's Services mission is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. They have a library of resources available! The vision is to see vulnerable children and their communities that are transformed by the gospel and are making disciples.
• The National Council For Adoption is the leading expert on adoption issues, providing resources and education for all people and organizations in the adoption world, and advocating for sound policies so that every child can thrive in a nurturing, permanent family.
• The Defender Podcast seeks to equip the body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children and families. We hope this podcast will provide encouragement, inspiration, and ways to connect with others who have a heart for the orphan.

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