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

Human Trafficking & Orphans: The 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report

As we’ve spotlighted many times on this blog, human traffickers view children that lack families as the ideal target.  The new 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report paints a vivid picture...
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CAFO Welcomes 3 New Board Members

One of the greatest joys of work in these fields is the people you find yourself laboring alongside.  Case in point:  the three remarkable individuals now joining the Christian Alliance...
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Heritage Foundation Forum: How Faith, Foster Care, and Adoption Go Together

This week, the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC hosted, “How Faith, Foster Care, and Adoption Go Together.” The opening remarks of Kentucky Governor Matt Bevins are rich and meaningful, and...
Read More about Heritage Foundation Forum: How Faith, Foster Care, and Adoption Go Together

Family Separation at the U.S. Border

The Christian Alliance for Orphans is not a lobbying entity and generally keeps a strong focus on the role of families and churches, not government.  However, we are sometimes asked...
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National Review Puts Foster Care Center Stage

National Review this month carries an array of powerful articles on foster care.  They blend heart and head, pathos and logical argument in remarkable fashion.  Meanwhile, the fact that National...
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CAFO2018: The Rare and Beautiful Fruit of Unity

Each morning, my five kids and I read a passage of Scripture and discuss it over breakfast.  We enjoyed John 17 yesterday alongside our oatmeal, and camped out on the...
Read More about CAFO2018: The Rare and Beautiful Fruit of Unity
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