This is a guest blog post from the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
From Christianity Today to Catalyst, the biblical call to "defend the cause of the fatherless" (Isaiah 1:17) is on hearts and minds of Christians in a way not seen in generations. A core trait of the early church is rising again as a priority. A recent New York Times article affirmed the same, describing, "...Evangelical Christian churches, which have increasingly taken up orphan care as a tenet of their faith..." That line wasn't a compliment or analysis, just a fact.
One measure of this groundswell is the national Orphan Sunday campaign. It's a grassroots effort built around locally-led activities in churches that highlight God's heart for the orphan and Christian response in adoption, foster care and global orphan care initiatives. Last year's inaugural Orphan Sunday campaign saw more than 1,500 churches participate. That number should top 2,000 churches in 2010 during the November 7th weekend.
The hub Orphan Sunday website provides free support materials, downloadable posters, event ideas and more at www.orphansunday.org. But each event is as unique as its organizer, from prayer gatherings and sermons on God's heart for the orphan to student-led fundraisers and foster family recruiting. Ultimately, local event organizers see Orphan Sunday as an chance to grow awareness and action for orphans in their church and beyond.
This year, Orphan Sunday weekend also will include the student-focused simulcast concert "Live from Colorado Springs!" featuring the Desperation Band and other artists. Churches will also be able to build events around a new Orphan Sunday DVD created by the "Cry of the Orphan" partners featuring music and reflections from Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Shultz, Francis Chan and others.
More than 75 national organizations have joined forces in the Christian Alliance for Orphans to promote the 2010 campaign, from small nonprofits to household names like Bethany Christian Services, Buckner, Show Hope and Family Life.
"Orphan Sunday calls the Church to make the Gospel visible," said Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. "When Christians open their hearts and homes in adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry, we mirror the God who did the same for us."
