Considering Adoption?

While many people have stated that adoption has crossed their minds, often there is a gap between the thinking and the doing. When it comes to planning a family, sometimes we over-analyze the pros and cons, dismissing or delaying the decision to adopt due to a number of reasons or unknowns. Watch this video and see if adoption may be something for you to consider.

Steven Curtis Chapman Concert

mily embarking on a new journey together this fall as they venture out on a “A Night with the Chapmans.” This special family affair tour will be in Houston October 7 at Houston's First Baptist Church. Songs you can expect to hear on this tour include “Live Out Loud,” “Cinderella” and many more of Steven’s extensive catalog loved by all music fans. Steven will also bring back by popular demand his request time where attendees can ask that their song be added to the set just log on to his website now to leave your request.Steven explains the heart behind this tour…

We’ve prayed for months that each evening of this tour be an opportunity to ponder important things, and to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus, the great hope I’m so thankful continues to carry us all.

As a part of this very special season, Mary Beth Chapman will join her husband for the first time ever on the tour. Mary explains why now is the time for her entire family to hit the road…

There are three things I told God I would never ever do: homeschool, adopt, and speak in public. Well, we’ve already homeschooled, you know we’ve adopted, and now this fall I’ll be on stage speaking at Steven’s concerts, now I’m telling God I will not go to Hawaii for three months.

Mary Beth will share her journey as reflected in her inaugural book, “Choosing To See”, available this September and co-written with Ellen Vaughn. Discussing her courtship and marriage to Steven, struggles for emotional balance, and living with grief, she will open up about how she has wrestled with God even as she has allowed him to write her story–both during times of happiness and those of tragedy. Mary Beth’s transparent style will surprise audiences with the depth of her faith struggle and her hilarious sense of humor. Mary Beth and Steven will also proudly introduce audiences to the band Caleb, a new band featuring their sons Caleb and Will Franklin.

Show Hope, the title sponsor of the tour, is a ministry founded by Steven and Mary Beth that enables individuals and communities to change the world for orphans by not only addressing a child’s need for food, shelter, care, and spiritual nourishment, but by also addressing the root issue for an orphan: the lack of a family.

Tickets go on sale August 27 at 10 am at www.ticketservant.com

Come Tegether Now Haiti :: Support the Haiti Relief Effort

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) January 28, 2010 - Yesterday at Belmont University's Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who's-who list from the music community to record "Come Together Now." The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan - and produced by Bryan Lenox - was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.

"The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help," shares Smith. "We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse. It's incredible to be part of something that is going to help so many people."

In addition to lending their voices in song, several artists also recorded PSA's for The American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse for use in upcoming months.

Contributing artists include: Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amber Hezlep, Anthony Moreino, Anthony Skinner, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, B. Reith, Brady Toops, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Byron Chambers, Calvin Nowell, Charmaine, Chris McClarney, Chris Sligh, Chuck Girard, Dana Jorgensen, Darwin Hobbs, David Mullen, Don Poythress, Donovan Tea, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Greg Jennings, Hillary McBride, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jasmine Sagginario, Jason Baird, Jason Dunn, Jimmie Allen, Jody Davis, John Ford Coley, John Schlitt, Joseph Martino, Julia Ross, Justin Rivers, Kate Lazar, Kate Schettler, The Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lara Landon, Lanae Hale, Lannie Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Mandisa, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall and Megan Garrett of Casting Crowns, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Melinda Doolittle, Meredith Andrews, Michael Cavallo, Michael Olson, Michael Tait, Michael Tash, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, The Oak Ridge Boys, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Rachel B. James, Reco Hight, Restless Heart, Ruben Mundo, Russ Mohr, Sarah Ross, Sarah Sadler, Selah, Shannon Cochran, Shawn Cavallo, Stephanie Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terrence James, TobyMac, Tommy Coomes, Travis Cottrell, Trey Heffinger, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier. (Artist list subject to change.)

The song will be made available for sale soon, with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts to Haiti. More details on the song's release date are forthcoming.

Click on the banner above to get the song.

Orphan Care and The Big Red Tractor

Francis Chan wrote this children’s story to illustrate what God ordained the church to be in the world. Since God has called the church to care for orphans, I think “The Big Red Tractor” also applies to the current orphan care movement that is growing within the church.

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

Blog-lifted from "Together for Adoption" which is a fantastic resource for adoption and orphan care information.

“Haiti Orphan Rescue Mission” Details Emerge

“Haiti Orphan Rescue Mission” Details Emerge

Posted using ShareThis

Church Adoption Fund Webinar - Jan. 28, 2010

Jan 28 @ 2:00 pm (CST)

Church Adoption Fund Webinar Hosts: Lifesong & Michael Monroe (Tapestry Adoption/Foster Ministry)

(*all churches considering adoption funds encouraged to attend)



To attend webinar, please send an email to info@lifesongfororphans.org

National Stakeholder Sessions Tomorrow: Haitian Adoptions Policy & TPS Filing Instructions/Fee Waivers

I received the following email which is from Homeland Security and wanted to share the information regarding Haitian Adoptions. Instructions for the conference call is on the attached scans. Click on them and they should enlarge.

The email read:

Dear Colleague,

The US Citizenship & Immigration Services Office of Public Engagement will be facilitating two stakeholder sessions tomorrow, January 21, to address issues related to the response of USCIS to the situation in Haiti.

The first session will take place at 11am EST and will focus on the topic of Haitian adoptions policy. With this meeting, you have the option of attending in person at the Tomich Center (111 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC) or by teleconference. Further details can be found in the attached invitation.

The second session will take place at 2pm EST and will cover filing instructions for both the Temporary Protected Status form and employment authorization form and guidance on fee waivers. This meeting can only be attended by teleconference and the dialing instructions are included in the invitation.

We welcome your participation and would appreciate if you could share this invitation with any other colleagues or affiliates that may be interested.

Sincere Regards,
US Department of Homeland Security
DHS Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives