The call in Scripture to care for orphans is both an invitation and a challenge to the church. On March 24, 2018, we will be hosting a one-day conference at Calvin CRC designed to address the theological and practical issues involved in answering this call. Join us as we hear from Jason Johnson, author and speaker, whose passion is to encourage and equip the church to care for orphans. Go to jasonjohnsonblog.com to read more about Jason and his ministry. Additionally, break-out sessions will include special interest topics and foster and adoption Q&A panels.

This practical and honest event is designed to inform prospective foster or adoptive parents, equip and support parents currently providing care, and to encourage the church to be ‘all in’ in caring for vulnerable children.

* CHILDCARE SPACES ARE ALMOST FULL *

Keynotes:

The Pure and Undefiled Reflection of Foster Care and Adoption
Jason Johnson
God’s heart undeniably bends towards the marginalized and vulnerable. We see this truth consistently play out in scripture from the beginning to the end. It’s the foundation of our own story of redemption - that God would pursue us - and it’s the basis of the unique privilege He has given us to care for others around us. Our call to engage in issues of adoption, foster care and orphan care are deeply rooted in God’s care of us, and in the end are pure and undefiled reflections of who He is in this world. In this session we will take a unique look at God’s heart for the vulnerable and identify particular points of application that are profound and inspiring for us all.

Reframing Foster Care and Adoption
Jason Johnson
For many, the questions are no longer, “Is there a problem?” and “Does God care about this?” and “Should I do something about it?” Those questions have long been answered, and since replaced by questions like, “But why do we do this?” and “What’s it going to cost me?” and “Do I really have what it takes?” These questions, and others like them, are significantly more difficult to answer and often times require a “reframing” of our perspectives, our attitudes, our beliefs and our thinking to ensure we are answering them with clarity, encouragement and hope. In this session we will spend some time “reframing” ourselves around the unique promises of God as we continue down the journey of foster care and adoption.

Breakout Sessions:

Leading & Growing an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church
Jason Johnson
This interactive experience will give you and/or your church ministry team the opportunity to learn together about how to effectively lead and expand an orphan care ministry at your church. It is uniquely designed for pastoral, staff and lay-leadership within a church. You will have the opportunity to engage with hands-on principles, practices and resources.
This workshop is for Pastors, ministry leaders, those leading existing ministries and those wanting to start new ones

Loving Well in a Broken World
Wendy Stringer
At times loving the parents and extended families God sends us when we adopt and foster is complicated. Loving well, in a broken world, as broken people, is hard. Sometimes fear of uncovering our own wounds prevents our own healing and keeps us from loving others and ministering deeply, particularly in complex relationships. In this workshop we will explore how Jesus meets us in our suffering so we can love others in theirs. We will explore how Christ takes very hard things and gives them new life and beautiful meaning.
This workshop is for anyone who wrestles with their own brokenness, or wants to (or wants to want to) and desires to love their neighbour beautifully.

Infertility & Adoption: A Gospel Message of Hope in the Midst of Pain
Belinda Lanning
This workshop will discuss the topic of infertility, how to survive it, and how to minister & walk alongside those on the journey.
It is for those struggling with infertility, those considering adoption in light of infertility, and those wishing to share the gospel message of hope in the midst of the suffering. Belinda and Steve will share their thoughts on infertility as well as their personal journey from infertility to adoption – a story of pain, providence, God’s timing, and a lot of kicking & screaming. There will also be a discussion on what, ‘to say or not to say’ for couples facing infertility and for those wishing to minister and journey alongside them.

Attachment and the Gospel:
Michelle Hogeterp
The Bible invites us to do two things: love God and love others. How can we love and care for children who come from hard places? What do we need to know about these children, in order to parent them with a focus on attachment? Participants will have an opportunity to explore the various attachment styles that vulnerable children often exhibit and specific strategies that will help a child feel safer/more secure.
This workshop is for anyone who is interested in fostering/adopting, currently fosters or has adopted or wishes to support those families who foster or adopt.

Panel Discussions:

Adoption:

Featuring local adoptive parents with a wide variety of experiences and perspectives, you will hear stories of joy and heartbreak and valuable lessons learned along the way regarding adoption. This will be a highly interactive session that will provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The morning and afternoon sessions will feature two different sets of panelists.

Fostering:

Featuring local foster parents with a wide variety of experiences and perspectives, you will hear stories of joy and heartbreak and valuable lessons learned along the way regarding fostering. This will be a highly interactive session that will provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The morning and afternoon sessions will feature two different sets of panelists.

Tickets

This event has ended

Location

Calvin Christian Reformed Church