While thousands of passionate orphan care advocates are traveling to Chicago this week for CAFO2014, hundreds came early for pre-Summit intensives.

For the past 2 days, almost 100 leaders representing 26 nations gathered at Willow Creek Church for Collaborate, a forum for global leaders, co-sponsored by CAFO and World Without Orphans. These leaders participated in workshops to define strategies for developing a national orphan care movement and engage local churches in every city, town and village.

Compelling examples of indigenous churches fostering, adopting and mentoring orphans in their communities were shared, including the amazing story of Pastor Daniel Kaggwa’s church in Uganda closing an orphanage in one day by fostering all of the children through local church families! If you’re coming to CAFO2014, you’ll be treated to hear Pastor Daniel’s story firsthand during one of Friday’s General Sessions.

Another highlight from Collaborate was watching leaders work together to develop key strategies for growing a national movement. Through interactive discussion and facilitated workshops, they collaborated in identifying practical ideas such as:

• Engaging pastors with the vision for orphan care
• Creating awareness throughout their nation
• Expanding Orphan Sunday’s reach in their country

All of these strategies, and many more, will be documented in a guide for emerging movement leaders around the world and released in the Fall. Please pray for these leaders as they continue ponder all of these lessons and discussions, and add to this practical knowledge of orphan care to be learned over the next couple of days at CAFO2014.

If you’re coming to Chicago, take advantage of the opportunity to meet some key international leaders on Thursday during the Consulting and Communications: Meet Global Leaders session in Guest Central at 11:00am.