celebrating

20 Years of CAFO

A rare model of Christian unity

God's people overflowing with God's love

From the first 29 leaders who pledged to "leave logos and egos at the door" to the potent initiatives of today, see how God continues to lead the CAFO community to respond to His love to care wisely and well for children and families worldwide.

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2004 - 2024

The story of a movement

The vision for the Christian Alliance for Orphans was birthed in 2004 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the first “Orphan Summit,” where 29 Christian leaders expressed a shared sense of God’s desire to rouse His Church to care for orphans. Today, almost 300 member organizations and a global network of churches unite as a highly-effective coalition through CAFO.

Explore the history of CAFO through the timeline below.

October 2004

FamilyLife, led by Dennis Rainey, hosts the first Summit in Little Rock, Ark.

The First 'Orphan Summit'

The first official “Adoption & Orphan Care Summit” was held in October 2004 at FamilyLife in Little Rock, Ark. A group of 29 leaders representing 20 organizations gathered and discussed leaving logos and egos at the door, recognizing that in order to make a greater impact they would need to do it together. Cross-functional working group were established to begin addressing issues that would have an impact far into the future.

March 2006

The program cover from Summit II at FamilyLife in 2006.

Summit II

Summit II was held in Little Rock, Arkansas in March of 2006. Over 80 leaders from 45 organizations gathered at this meeting, led by Dennis Rainey at FamilyLife. They concluded there was great movement ahead when combining the three spheres of Christian media, adoption agencies and orphan care organizations working together to effectively engage the Church.

2007

CAFO Incorporates in 2007

With attendance rising to over 300 people at Summit III at Focus on the Family, drawing coverage from ABC World News Tonight and the Associated Press, CAFO also incorporates in 2007 and is led by a working Board representing many respected organizations, including E.D. Maridel Sandberg.

May 2008

This is the postcard invitation to attend Summit IV in Fort Lauderdale.

Summit IV in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale hosted Summit IV with rising attendance and a growing lineup of speakers, including Jedd Medefind, Special Assistant to President George W. Bush & Deputy Director of the White House Faith-Based Initiative; John Fuller, of “Focus on the Family” Radio and VP of their Audio & New Media Division; Kay Warren, author and wife of Pastor Rick Warren, and Executive Director of Saddleback’s HIV Initiative; Pastor Bob Coy, Sr. of host church Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale; and Dennis Rainey, best-selling author, president and co-founder of Family Life and host of “Family Life Today” radio program.

November 2009

This video message from CAFO President Jedd Medefind is shared for Orphan Sunday in 2009.

Orphan Sunday Observed in 2 Countries, CAFO Board Hires Jedd Medefind

The CAFO Board hires Jedd Medefind to lead the Christian Alliance for Orphans this year. Summit V was held at Irving Bible Church, with an estimated 900 in attendance. This video message from Medefind was shared to invite Christians to unite as one voice on Orphan Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009.

April 2010

John Piper issues an invitation to Summit VI in Minneapolis, MN.

Summit VI in Minneapolis, MN

Summit VI was held in April 2010 at Grace Church in Minneapolis with more than 1,200 attendees. Speakers included John Piper; Al Moehler; Doug Souder from 4KIDS of South Florida; Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman; Tom Davis from Children’s Hope Chest; and Patricia Arzuo, Former First Lady of Guatemala.

2011

Christianity Today describes CAFO as the "burgeoning orphan care movement."

A Growing Movement

The 2011 ECFA Giving Report revealed that of the 29 giving categories, 3 of the 4 categories seeing the largest increase in giving were related to adoption and orphan care. The July issue of Christianity Today magazine highlights the "burgeoning orphan care movement" and the November issue of Adoption Today magazine says the "enlightened wave of awareness to the needs of orphaned children throughout the world is the message of the day in churches all across America."

May 2011

Summit VI poster and video highlights the event in Kentucky.

Summit VII Brings 1500 People to Louisville, KY

Summit VII was held at Southeast Christian Church in Lousiville, Ky. in 2011 with over 1,500 people attending. Some of the keynote speakers included Karyn Purvis, Dennis Rainey, Russell Moore, Brian Fikkert with musical guests Robbie Seay Band and Sara Groves.

May 2012

Saddleback Church in sunny Southern California hosted Summit VIII.

Summit VIII at Saddleback Church

Summit VIII was held at Saddleback Church in sunny Southern California. Attendance rose to more than 2,200 people with 100+ member organizations represented. Keynote speakers included Rick & Kay Warren and Francis Chan, along with worship from Stephen Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore. CAFO launched the Global Movements Initiative (now the Global Networks Initiative) to catalyze and equip national orphan care movements worldwide.

November 2012

This video was used for Orphan Sunday on Nov. 4, 2012.

Orphan Sunday Grows to Nearly 50 Nations

The global Orphan Sunday campaign continues to see growth across the world, with 50 nations observing this unifying day in 2013. This video was used to promote Orphan Sunday in 2012.

May 2013

Summit IX in Nashville, Tenn. for the First Time

Summit IX was held at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville with attendance topping 2,500! Speakers included David Platt; Carissa Woodwyk; Senator Mary Landrieu; George Dennehy; Bob Lepine and Dennis Rainey from Family Life Radio with Pastor WC Martin sharing the true story of Possum Trot, Texas. Musical guests were Stephen Curtis Chapman, Jimmy Wayne and Nicole C. Mullins. The first Global Movements Collaborate forum was held in 2013 with almost 2 dozen leaders and five emerging networks.

August 2013

The first look for the National Foster Care Initiative launches in August 2013.

National Foster Care Initiative Launches

CAFO recognizes the growing need for a focused Initiative for the complex issues surround U.S. Foster Care and launches the National Foster Care Initiative.

2014

The book cover for "Becoming Home" -- released in 2014 by Barna Group as part of the FRAMES Series.

"Becoming Home" Published by Barna Group

In 2014, the book "Becoming Home: Leading the Way in Solving the Orphan Crisis" is released as part of the Barna Group's FRAMES Series. Orphan Sunday is observed in over 62 nations this year and CAFO's membership rises to over 150 members.

May 2014

The program cover from CAFO2014 at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, Ill.

CAFO2014 at Willow Creek in Chicago, First OVC Applied Research & Best Practices Symposium

CAFO2014 was held at Willow Creek in Chicago with over 150 member organizations participating in the “giant gift exchange” of Summit! Speakers included Wess Stafford; Karyn Purvis; Sharen Ford; Austen Gutwein; Tyrone Flowers; Emcee Roy Patterson from Moody Radio alongside Family Life’s Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine; with musical guest Andrew Petersen. The first OVC Applied Research & Best Practice Symposium was held here, helping to facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas between researchers and practitioners and drawing more than 250 leaders.

April 2015

CAFO2015 was held at Longhollow Baptist Church in Nashville, TN April 30-May 1.

CAFO2015 in Nashville, CAFO Launches Church Ministry Initiative

CAFO2015 was held at Longhollow Baptist Church in Nashville and featured musical guests Jars of Clay, Sandra McCracken and Audio Adrenaline, with speakers Dr. Russell Moore and Duck Dynasty’s John Luke Robertson, among others. CAFO launched the National Church Ministry Initiative this year to serve and support churches as they build foster care, adoption and family support ministries.

2016

The book Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn is published featuring 344 illustrations from the CAFO community..

CAFO2016 in Orlando, Fla., Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn Released

CAFO2016 was held at First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla. with special guests Ann Voskamp, Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall, musical artist Andrew Peterson and many more. The book "Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn" was released, featuring 344 unique illustrations from the CAFO community. The Core Elements of Success was launched with a group of 40 member organization leaders this year, as well.

2017

CAFO2017 Back in Nashville, Justice & The Inner Life Podcast Launches

CAFO2017 is back in Nashville featuring the theme, Justice & The Inner Life. Keynote speakers included Dr. Curt Thompson, Dr. Russell Moore, Bishop Aaron Blake, Lysa Terkeurst, Ruth Barton Haley and Brian Fikkert; alongside musical guests Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stephen Curtis Chapman. CAFO is now hosted by more than 190 member organizations. 2017 marked the launch of two new podcasts: Justice & the Inner Life with Jedd Medefind and the Limited Series Foster Movements podcast to highlight the stories of adults who have been in foster care.

2018

"Everyone Can Do Something" published in 2018 to inspire the church to consider how to engage with foster care and adoption.

"Everyone Can Do Something" Published to Inspire the Church

The new book, "Everyone Can Do Something" is published in 2018 by Jason Johnson with CAFO National Church Ministry Initiative. This book has been critical for churches to better understand the challenges and opportunities of engaging in foster care and adoption ministry, while inspiring people everywhere to reimagine how they can include everyone in their church. It's sold 20,000+ copies to date.

May 2018

This wrap video highlights CAFO2018 at Stonebriar Community Church in Dallas.

CAFO2018 at Stonebriar Community Church in Dallas, Texas

CAFO2018 at Stonebriar Community Church in Dallas looked at the theme What Matter’s Most and included speakers Eugene Cho, Jimmy Needham, Lisa Harper, Dr. Curt Thompson, Beth Guckenberger, Jim Daly, Sara Haggerty, among many more; with worship by The Robbie Seay Band. CAFO hosted its first Moving Toward Family Solutions Simulation Lab (Sim-Lab) this year and launched the OVC Essentials online course. The CAFO Global Networks Initiative is launched with 31 locally-led networks worldwide.

May 2019

This video features the memorable opening of CAFO2019 highlighting both the beauty and brokenness in caring for vulnerable children.

CAFO2019 in Kentucky, First Peer-Reviewed Research is Published

CAFO2019 was held at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY with the theme, In Brokenness & Beauty, It Is Well. Keynote speakers included speakers Kondo Simfukwe, Dr. Curt Thompson, Robert Gelinas, Paris Goodyear-Brown, Belay Gebru among others; with worship from The Robbie Seay Band and Mac Powell. The More Than Enough Initiative is launched and the CAFO Research Center published its first peer-reviewed paper titled, “Misguided altruism: the risks of orphanage volunteering."

2019

The More Than Enough Initiative is Launched

In 2019, CAFO launches the More Than Enough Initiative to achieve the shared vision of more than enough for children and families before, during, and beyond foster care. Networks of passionate churches, organizations and advocates start working together to fill the biggest gaps in caring for children and families in every one of the 3,143 counties in the United States.

2020

CAFO Grows to 200+ Member Organizations, Summit Happens Online

CAFO2020 took place online due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was called "Conversation Starters." CAFO grew to more than 200 member organizations and Orphan Sunday was observed in more than 100 nations. CAFO launched the Development & Discipleship Initiative and the CAFO Research Center began its first Care Transition Accelerator Academy, a 2-year certificate program to train Care Transition Coaches.

June 2020

More Than Enough the book and podcast launches in 2020.

More Than Enough Published First Book and Begins Podcasting

CAFO released the Book, "Until There’s More Than Enough: Working Together to Transform Foster Care Where You Live" by Jason Weber and launched the More Than Enough podcast. Gleaning from the experience of dozens of government, nonprofit and faith leaders from across the country, the book and podcast highlight principles and practices that will help advocates, churches and organizations work together to transform foster care.

September 2021

The theme of Summit in 2021 was "With" at Vineyard Cincinnati Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

CAFO2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio

God with us, Us with one another, God's people with those in need -- a timely message as the community came together for the first time following the isolation of the global pandemic. CAFO2021 was held in Cincinnati, Ohio with speakers Justin Whitmel Early, Brian Fikkert, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Bishop Aaron Blake and worship by Matt Redman. The book "Mission Wise," written by Dr. Nicole Wilke and Jason Johnson, was launched this year as well as the Fostering Church Limited Series Podcast.

September 2022

This is the program cover from CAFO2022 in Atlanta, Ga.

CAFO2022 in Atlanta, Ga., CAFO Launched the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health

CAFO2022 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Atlanta was centered on the theme, Planted, Not Buried. Speakers included Jackie Hill Perry, Dane Ortlund, Cordelia Cranshaw Skeete, Dr. Curt Thompson, Peter Mutabazi; with special musical guests, Todd Tilghman and Sandra McCracken. CAFO reached 20 global locations through the Collaborate Forum hybrid event. CAFO launched the new Institute for Family-Centered Healing and Health, led by Rachel Medefind.

September 2023

This wrap video highlights CAFO2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

CAFO2023 in Oklahoma City, CAFO Launches the Pure Religion Project

CAFO2023 was held at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City, with more than 270+ member organizations and 54 Global Networks represented. The theme Unhurried included speakers Katie Davis Majors, The Green Family of Hobby Lobby, Dr. Curt Thompson, Kondo Simfukwe, Beth Guckenberger, Jackie Darby and many more; with worship by Zawadi Morrow and special musical guests, Shane & Shane.

2023

This video describes the vision of pure religion for the Church.

Pure Religion Project is Launched

CAFO launches The Pure Religion Project to inspire and equip the Church to live the "pure religion" described in James 1:27 and invited throughout Scripture. Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday are now part of Pure Religion Sunday, a day intended to catalye and mobilize the Church to care more deeply for orphaned and vulnerable children and families.

2024

CAFO Member Organizations Rise to 300+

More than 300 ministries have joined Christian Alliance for Orphans in its 20th year, committing to financial integrity and fiscal accountability, affirming CAFO's Guiding Principles and Core Commitments, and agreeing to leave logos and egos at the door to join is shared initiatives so that every vulnerable child will experience God's unfailing love in a thriving family.

Messages of inspiration and hope

These messages have been a source of hope, encouragement and inspiration for the CAFO community through the years. We're highlighting a few of the memorable keynotes for our anniversary.