Above and Beyond Orphan Ministry

Adoption Info Seminar - October 24, 2015

2014-10-01T20:01:00.001-07:00

We are having our next adoption information seminar on Saturday, October 24, 2015. If you or someone you know is considering adoption, please send them our way!

This workshop will be held at Southgate Church (#120 - 5501 204th St. Langley) on Saturday, October 24th, from 9am - 4pm, with lunch and breaks included. The information will be given over a 6-part DVD series, with topics such as: God's Heart for the Orphan, Making Basic Decisions, Evaluating Agencies, Investigating Funding Options, and Paperwork, Completing your Home Study, etc.

There will also be time for discussion. We will be breaking into small groups to discuss common questions, concerns, thoughts and to go over ideas from the DVD series. This will be a free seminar, with a small charge for lunch. This seminar is open to anyone interested in, or beginning the adoption journey, so feel free to pass this on.

Please RSVP to tamara@southgatechurch.ca.

If you have other specific questions regarding this event, we would be happy to answer them for you!

Weekly Adoption Posts, Stories and Content

2014-01-18T10:05:00.002-08:00

ABBA Canada Foundation is the ministry that provides adoption grants for adoptive families. This is the organization that we fund raise for, to help families adopt. ABBA Canada posts the stories and pictures of their grant recipient families, as well as weekly posts and adoption information on their main page. Visit the ABBA Canada website here.

Huge thank you to supporters of the New Hope Orphanage in Jamaica

2013-09-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

Amanda (the Orphanage Director) sends her love and blessings to all of you, and says a big thank you once again for your support! She said it has been more helpful that we will ever know!

Please pray for protection and safety for New Hope Children’s Home, all the children & staff, & Dwight & Shanda, as they are in storm season in Jamaica, and there are hurricane warnings even now.

Bless you all & thank you for your support!

Adoption, Foster, Respite Seminar

2013-04-29T22:22:00.002-07:00

You are invited to a free 2hr information session to look at BC’s vulnerable and waiting children in care and how you can help these children and their families.

Come and hear real stories from individuals passionate for children and teens and those affected by adoption and fostering.

When: Saturday May 4 from 9:30-11:30am

Where: Harvest City Church, 7416 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, V5P 3Z3

Cost: Free but registration is required to help with planning

You can register by calling Liz at the church office - 604-325-8291 or email office@harvestcitychurch.com

(Light snacks and refreshments to be provided at sign in from 9:00-9:30 and at the break).

A huge thank you!

2013-04-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support our Valentine's Day fundraiser and all of the wonderful volunteers and sponsors. This year we were amazed at a grand total of $6,150 after all expenses! This was immediately turned into two adoption grants the same week. This far exceeded our expectations and we are so grateful to everyone who gave to make this possible

This looks like a powerful documentary

2013-02-12T22:23:00.000-08:00

Check out this trailer for the powerful documentary "Stuck" by our friends at Both Ends Burning. It looks like it might be a tear-jerker and bring some much needed awareness to the global orphan crisis. Please pray for the work Both Ends Burning is doing for the waiting children of the world.

Romantic Valentine's Dinner for two

2013-01-29T22:29:00.000-08:00

Come enjoy a romantic catered dinner for two complete with childcare, entertainment, prizes and other surprises on Sunday, February 10^th. The cost is $60 and all net proceeds go towards adoption grants. Last year was a huge hit, don’t miss out!

Please RSVP to tamara@southgatechurch.ca by Feb. 3.

Enjoy the promo video, thanks Neil!

The stories are coming in, keep them coming!

2012-12-08T15:49:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone that participated in an Orphan Sunday event in any capacity. This year, we were aware of 24 Orphan / Adoption Sunday events happening around Canada and we are still hearing of events that we weren't aware of! Last year we were aware of 4 happening in Canada. God is definitely up to something here!

We have heard reports of presentations, awareness, videos, offerings taken and congregations getting inspired to ask God what their part to play in adoption is. Please send us your Orphan / Adoption Sunday testimony, as we'd love to feature some on the site. If you have a testimony, please email us at tamara@southgatechurch.ca

We are so excited for what God is doing through the Church in Canada and we are dreaming big for what He will do!

National Adoption Month is happening!

2012-11-13T22:10:00.001-08:00

We have been encouraged by the stories of churches observing and celebrating National Adoption month! Focus on the Family has launched their End the Wait tour. Make sure you get to an event if they are coming to your area. Also, check out the list of churches hosting an Orphan Sunday and see if there is one happening in your area that you could attend.

One of the most beautiful things about working with the churches that are hosting an Orphan Sunday is that the body of Christ is working together to see God's heart revealed through adoption. One of Jesus' last prayers is for the unity of His Church. It is a privilege to work together with believers from many different denominations, all working together, to see children find loving, forever families, where they can be loved and experience the love of God.

Pray for the churches hosting an Orphan Sunday, attend one if you can and pray that the number of churches hosting in Canada, would increase exponentially for next year!

Prayer guide leading up to Orphan Sunday

2012-11-05T21:24:00.002-08:00

From Christian Alliance for Orphans:

We serve a mighty God who IS able to move mountains, but sometimes He is simply just trying to help us see something from a different perspective. Orphan Sunday is not about one church, one person, or one objective. Orphan Sunday is the Church (collectively as God intended) coming together on ONE DAY with ONE PURPOSE using ONE VOICE. Below is a Prayer & Fasting Guide for the week leading up to your Orphan Sunday.

Prayer and Fasting Guide

Monday: Today, pray for local foster and adoptive folks who are on the front lines of orphan care to be encouraged, supported by the local Church and that God may give them the strength to continue. This includes, but is not limited to: foster and adoptive parents, those who work within the foster care system, those who facilitate foster care or adoptive services, case workers, social workers, psychologists and therapists. These folks are on the front lines of orphan care and often feel alone or bound by a system.

Tuesday: Today, pray for your pastor, your church leadership, and the Church as a whole to feel the Lord's heart for the orphans as seen in Psalm 68:5-6 (below) and for Him to raise up workers for the harvest from your church and community to go to the "fields of the fatherless." "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." - Psalm 68:5-6"Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows." - Isaiah 1:16-17

Wednesday: Today, pray for state and federal policy makers, judges, attorneys, penitentiary and correction officers and workers, and national organizations committed to helping orphans. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom as they make decisions directly affecting children, particularly the orphan.

Thursday: Today, pray that God would move mightily within the Church across Canada and give the Church a positive voice across Canada as it reaches out to homeless children and youth, victims of child trafficking, foster care, parents struggling to care for and raise their children, birth parents, and children trapped in an abusive situation.

Friday: Today, ask the Lord help parents struggling to care for their children due to financial, physical, medical, stress or social stigma due to a birth defect. Ask the Lord to protect children and their parents from kidnapping, child trafficking, hunger, disease and war.

Saturday: Fasting Day: If you are able to fast (give up food for the day), then fast and pray. If you are unable to fast, consider giving up one meal, a favorite item, TV, Facebook or your phone. Today, ask God that of the 2 billion Christians in the world, 7% would show hope to a single orphan, looking after the child in their distress. Ask the Lord to convict the church around the world that if we did this, there would effectively be no more orphans. Ask the Lord to show
each of His followers that we can each do something. Within your prayers, choose a country or countries to pray specifically over and pray for nationals within that country to rise up and be willing to care for orphans.

Orphan Sunday: Today, pray for Orphan Sunday events around the world to go smoothly. Pray for the Lord to speak through pastors and speakers around the world. Pray for the Spirit to convict, encourage, challenge and confirm families, pastors and orphan care workers all over the world.

Click here for more Orphan Sunday resources or information

Jamaica orphanage sponsorship thanks

2012-10-16T22:23:00.003-07:00

Last year, as a church, we came together to provide sponsorship to children in an Orphanage in Jamaica that is connected with Southgate Church. They have been blessed and above is a thank you they sent us. So on behalf of our friends in Jamaica, THANKS!

First grant recipients meet their girls for the first time!

2012-10-10T22:18:00.003-07:00

Last year, Southgate Church and friends, helped raise money for adoption grants. This year, ABBA Canada gave away 13 adoption grants and raised over $35,000 for adoptive families! We are excited to be a part of this and on behalf of those families, we want to send you a huge THANK YOU!

The most exciting part of an adoption grant, is watching the story unfold and the children come home to their forever families. Here is the video of Sean and Naomi, the first ABBA Canada Foundation grant recipients, meeting their girls for the first time! Click here to watch.

Adoption info seminar, Burlington, Ont

2012-10-01T21:26:00.001-07:00

Orphan Sunday - November 2012 - One day. One voice. One purpose.

2012-09-26T21:32:00.005-07:00

November is International adoption month and we want to see churches all across Canada joining together in support of Orphan Sunday. Christian Alliance for Orphans, has been a huge advocate for Orphan Sunday and provides many resources and materials to help your church develop your own Orphan Sunday. We have provided some helpful links and resources that are Canadian focused, that you can use. Feel free to incorporate your own ideas or let us know of any way in which we can support or assist you.

Each event is locally-led and can consist of sermons, small groups, concerts, prayer gatherings, shared meals, youth activities, or any combination. Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to awaken your church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. Many churches and organizations have hosted “Orphan Sundays” over the years and inspired believers to ask what they can do to serve children without families.

Below, you will find a list of helpful resources that your church could use in bringing awareness to the orphan crisis. Perhaps your church would be willing to host an Orphan Sunday, have a special message or host an awareness night/fundraiser for adoption grants or an orphanage.

Choose a date in November, begin planning, and let us know! Visit ABBA Canada Foundation for more information and resources, added weekly. They have a listing of all churches/organizations participating in Orphan Sunday (can be any date in November) all across Canada!

Email info@abbacanada.com if you are interested in hosting an Orphan Sunday and we will help you get started and post it on our website.

Click here to see a list of churches hosting an Orphan Sunday

Click here for Prayer Guides.

Click here for Orphan Sunday Videos.

Adoption Info Seminar

2012-09-13T22:42:00.001-07:00

We are having our next adoption information seminar on Saturday, September 22. If you or someone you know is considering adoption, please send them our way!

This workshop will be held at Southgate Church (#120 - 5501 204th St. Langley) on Saturday, September 22, from 9am - 4pm, with lunch and breaks included. The information will be given over a 6-part DVD series, with topics such as: God's Heart for the Orphan, Making Basic Decisions, Evaluating Agencies, Investigating Funding Options, and Paperwork, Completing your Home Study, etc.

Please RSVP to tamara@southgatechurch.ca.

If you have other specific questions regarding this event, we would be happy to answer them for you!

Controversy over Pat Robertson’s adoption comments

2012-09-07T20:54:00.002-07:00

We tuned into our social media sites tonight to see a flurry of controversy over Pat Robertson’s recent comments about adoption. The comments were distasteful and obviously cause for concern about the attitudes they represent. We’ve read a few posts today responding to the comments, but probably the best was by Jason Cornwell over on the Together for Adoption blog.

Click here to read the full post.

Here are a couple of quotes from his post:

“Dr. Robertson responds to a viewer’s question concerning her 3 adopted children and the men who lose interest in dating her once they find out she has 3 adopted children (thankfully, Dr. Robertson’s co-host stands up for her and calls out the fellas). Dr. Robertson gives them a pass, saying they “didn’t want to take on a United Nations,” and “you don’t know what problems are there.”

“Let me be clear in saying that not everyone is called to adopt, nor should everyone adopt. Adoption is not the only way to engage in orphan care. With that in mind, Dr. Robertson’s comments are troubling to say the least. Dr. Robertson’s comments smack of the notion that children are something of a trophy that makes us look good; that it’s somehow possible to predict how children will “turn out,” adopted or otherwise; that our comforts are to be cherished at all costs. That, my friends, is complete tomfoolery and poppycock in the truest sense of those words. Anyone who’s engaged in any type of orphan care knows that it’s difficult, messy, and scary. Those who say adoption is a fad simply reveal to others that they’ve never really engaged in any type of serious orphan care (but that’s another discussion…I digress).”

“No, Pat Robertson. Orphan care isn’t a friendly game where you get neat little trophies. It’s a Christian mandate that is driven, motivated, and fueled by the effective and loving work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We enter the suffering of others, because God has entered ours and because He is forming the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, in us. And concerning Adoption, God is absolutely serious.”

Dr. Russell Moore also responded to these comments and his post can be seen here.

In all of this, pray for Pat Robertson, pray for the attitudes of people to change towards adoption and pray especially for the millions around the world that don’t understand all of the politics and debating, but just desire to have a mommy and daddy.

We want to note that after the first part of this post was written, Pat Robertson issued a public apology for his comments. We also want to make it clear that in situations like these, our responses, as followers of Jesus, should never aim to destroy or attack the character of another person. Our aim is not to discredit or attack Pat Robertson. However, when comments are made by a very public figure, misrepresenting God’s heart for adoption, we feel it is important to give a Biblical response. At the end of our last post when we said to pray for Pat, we sincerely mean that. The comments represent a mindset still present in our world and we ask you to pray that people’s hearts would experience a revelation of how God views adoption and the plight of the orphan.

Adoption Info Seminar

2012-08-15T21:25:00.004-07:00

We are having our next adoption information seminar on Saturday, September 22. If you or someone you know is considering adoption, please send them our way!

Please RSVP to tamara@southgatechurch.ca by September 15.

If you have other specific questions regarding this event, we would be happy to answer them for you!

We love because...

2012-08-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

We love because

Creating an adoption culture in your church

2012-07-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

This is a great video about creating an adoption culture in your church. Enjoy! http://www.abbacanada.com/post.aspx?post=406

Orphan Sunday - November 2012

2012-07-09T21:35:00.002-07:00

We're excited to start promoting Orphan Sunday 2012! Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to awaken your church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. Many churches and organizations have hosted “Orphan Sundays” over the years and inspired believers to ask what they can do to serve children without families. Each event is locally-led and can consist of sermons, small groups, concerts, prayer gatherings, shared meals, youth activities, or any combination.

ABBA Canada has put together a page of helpful resources that your church could use in bringing awareness to the orphan crisis. Perhaps your church would be willing to host an Orphan Sunday, have a special message or host an awareness night/fundraiser for adoption grants or an orphanage.

Please pray about how you can join with us and churches across Canada this November. Stop by the Orphan Sunday page to see how you can get involved.

Don't forget why

2012-06-25T13:10:00.001-07:00

We have been so blessed to hear the stories of those of you connected with the orphan ministry community. It seems that everyday, we get to hear a new story about someone’s heart for adoption, a story of a families adoption in process or an excited and passionate person emailing us about their adoption ministry dream in their city.

Sadly, we also hear the stories of roadblocks, problems, red tape and dreams that are fading for whatever reason or discouragement. Today, we want to remind and encourage you to, “not forget why.” Don’t forget why you started this journey. Don’t forget why you started this process or why you decided to answer this call.

You started this journey because James 1:27 is written on your heart. You started this because a young girl needs someone to walk her down the aisle one day. You started this because a young boy needs a father to prep him for his first date some day. You started this because your heart knows that every human needs a forever family. Your heart has heard the cries of that child that goes to bed alone and scared tonight. You’re haunted by the images you’ve seen. God put this on your heart.

You’re not alone and your sacrifice is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). God is with you. The endless paperwork to bring that little one home, the discouragements along the way, the ups and downs, are a price worth paying for that precious life. The frustration in starting your adoption ministry, the challenging task of fundraising for someone’s adoption, you will probably never meet, is worth it to that child that finds safe arms to fall asleep in.

Keep going, keep moving forward. We are praying, along with many others and always come back to God for your strength, He will provide.

Living the Gospel through Adoption

2012-06-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

You can now order the booklet, "Living the Gospel through Adoption" by Joyce Rees. This 11 page booklet will challenge and inspire you to see adoption in a new way. We have known Joyce for many years and her life is one that validates the messages she speaks and writes. God has given her a special ability to see the Kingdom of God in different situations and she brings a beautiful picture of adoption in this booklet. The price is $10, including shipping and all net proceeds go towards adoption grants. Click below to order.

Together for Adoption breakout session CD recordings

2012-05-29T22:44:00.002-07:00

You can now order the CD recordings of the Together for Adoption Canada conference breakout sessions. There are 9 breakout sessions recorded and each can be purchased for $6, including shipping and handling. The following sessions are available:

Launching an Orphan’s Ministry in Your Church (Jason Weber)
Churches Caring for Children (Calgary & Ottawa)
Creating a Life Book for Your Child (Kirsty Stormer)
Safe Families (Westminster Chapel – Toronto)
What I Wish I Had Known Before I Had Adopted (panel)
Men and the Fatherless (Jason Kovacs)
Foster Care as a Ministry (Sandi Kowalko)
Churches Caring for Children (Saddleback Church)

Funding an Adoption (ABBA Canada)

Please click on the Buy Now button below and enter the number of CD’s you would like to order, as the quantity for your PayPal purchase. Next, email the CD #'s you would like to: info@abbacanada.com

2012-05-23T15:18:00.002-07:00

We want to thank everyone that came to the first ever Together For Adoption Conference Canada. We were so encouraged and excited to be a part of this event! A huge thank you to Focus on the Family, Home For Every Child and all of the volunteers that made it possible. We expected big things for the weekend, but we were blown away with what God did in the hearts of those attending.

We were so encouraged to meet people from all over Canada that are returning to their city to make a difference for the orphan and start something in their church. We had conversations with people that came because they are considering adoption and left wanting to start an orphan ministry in their church!

Please email us with your testimonies from the weekend; we would love to hear them. One of the greatest parts of the weekend for us, was hearing about the move of God that is happening all across Canada in the hearts of His people, to care for the orphan. If you left this weekend, wanting to start something, big or small, in your church, please contact us, info@abbacanada.com for the next steps. We will be following up over the next couple of weeks. We would love to help you get a church page started like Southgate Church or maybe you just want to tell your story in support of adoption and bring awareness to your circle of influence like the Schmidt’s. We can help you get started.

God is drawing together people across Canada that have a heart for the orphan, you have a part to play, don’t miss out!

It starts with a seed…where it all started, Together for Adoption

2012-05-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

For my wife and I, Together for Adoption holds a special place in our hearts. Two and a half years ago, we hopped on a plane to Texas to attend Together for Adoption. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into and we didn’t know very much about the orphan care or the adoption world. All we knew is that a seed had been planted in our hearts. For years, I had been an advocate for child sponsorship organizations, because there was a seed planted in my heart to help the world’s most vulnerable children. Tamara had been a children’s pastor for many years, with a seed in her heart to love and care for children. We got married in 2009 and knew God was growing those seeds into a larger thing, but we didn’t know what.

During the first year of our marriage, we couldn’t escape the cry of the orphan. Everywhere we turned, we heard their voice. It got louder and louder and we kept asking, “Lord how do we respond?” Still with no idea, we stumbled upon Steven Curtis Chapman’s ministry “Show Hope” and the seed continued to grow. We learned about how they challenged the Church to respond to the cry of the orphan and provided adoption grants to encourage their work within the Church. We got excited and looked for the same in Canada, but couldn’t find it.

Then we heard about the Together for Adoption conference in Texas and, in faith, got on the plane. Together for Adoption watered the seed and planted many more. This conference was exactly what we needed to take that small seed and grow it into a vision. We heard so many stories of people responding to the orphan crisis and creatively meeting the needs of adopting families, we began to dream. Every session we were inspired to make a difference and that aimless wandering towards an unknown vision, started to solidify into a plan of action. We came home with vision, passion and practical strategy to make something happen.

Maybe you just have the seed right now or maybe you just hear the cry of the orphan and don’t know which direction to run. Come this weekend and see where God leads you. You might be surprised at what He’s already put inside of you. Together for Adoption Canada