Jedd Medefind

CAFO President

Desiring to help inspire and grow this deep transformation, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Through CAFO, more than 300 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.

Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS. As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”

Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature. He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.

Jedd writes and speaks frequently about faith, human flourishing, and wise use of emerging technology. His books include Upended and Four Souls, and his appear in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine and The Gospel Coalition. He also appears regularly on radio and podcast interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio. Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, spotlights how families and churches can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.

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Latest Articles by Jedd Medefind

A Christmas Poem

The Christian faith insists that deepest hurt and highest good are bound together. It's not only that the sweet and sorrowful frequently arrive side-by-side.  It's also that, in our fallen...
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Saving International Adoption

One of DC's most respected think tanks, the American Enterprise Institute, hosted the forum, “Saving International Adoption," this past Friday. The number of international adoptions to the U.S. has plummeted...
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The Little Story that Makes the Big Difference

This Sunday is Orphan Sunday and its foster-focused expression, Stand Sunday.  What began in a humble church in Zambia will echo in more than 90 countries this year. The growing...
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She Took an X-Ray of the Hearts of the CAFO Board…and This is What We Saw

CAFO’s board met this week in Dallas.  It’s among the finest groups of leaders I’ve ever had the privilege to learn from and work with:  gracious and wise, innovative and...
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EXPANDED: Guidance for Short-Term Missions Now Paired with Real-Life Models

In March, the Christian Alliance for Orphans released, “Wise Short-Term Missions:  8 Principles for Benefiting Orphans and Vulnerable Children.”  As affirmed in the guide, “Short-term missions trips carry potential for...
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Troubled by Child Separation? 7 Ways We Can Do Something About It

The hearts of many Americans ached over the separation of children from their parents at the US border.  And rightly so.  Children that lack the care and protection of family...
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