“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.” –Anonymous
In February 2011, a small group of people assembled together in Morgantown, WV, to answer a simple question: “What can we do to alter the face of this world for the Kingdom of God?” Their answer led them to forming an Orphan Advocacy Team, an interactive small group ministry of World Orphans. Their group was diverse – an architect, a paramedic, an interior designer, a homemaker, a recruiter, a teacher, a banker, an accountant, and plenty of college students. But, in the midst of their diversity, they found a unified calling to care for the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children throughout the world. Through monthly meetings, they grew together as a group, discovered what the Bible says about caring for the “least of these,” and found innovative ways to get engaged as volunteer orphan advocates.
Last December, they hosted a World Orphans Dessert Benefit, spreading awareness of the global orphan crisis and motivating others to get involved with orphan care. With over 80 people attending the event, they were able to tell the story of World Orphans and raise money to help fund our projects throughout the world. Rather than stopping there with contentment, their passions to serve God fueled them to continue. Earlier this month, they hosted the 1st Annual World Orphans Golf Tournament in the beautiful, rolling hills of West Virginia. Between the two events, they were able to cast the vision of World Orphans to a wide range of audiences as well as raise approximately $10,000 for World Orphans projects and holistic care training.
And, they are not alone! Orphan Advocacy Teams are beginning to spring up all across the country! The fact is…God has called us to do great things, not because He needs us, but because He has chosen to empower us to do His will. He can feed the hungry on His own; instead He has called us to be His distributors. He can see to it that there are no orphans; instead He has called us to defend them. Will you stand with us as we strive to empower local churches, rescue orphans, and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Forming an Orphan Advocacy Team in your community is a tangible, practical way you can get engaged and make a difference in the lives of orphans. You and your team will gain a better understanding of the issues facing orphans around the world and how God is mobilizing His church to respond.
Go to www.orphanadvocacyteam.com and see how you can form an Orphan Advocacy Team and start getting engaged with orphan care. You’ll find the “how-to” of every aspect of your team experience from hosting events to running campaigns. So, are you ready to be part of something big? Rescue an orphan. Change the world.