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

Christianity that’s just a brand doesn’t do much for people … but something does

Here’s a big takeaway from a new study by CAFO published in the Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion:   Working in an organization branded as “faith-based” doesn’t appear to make...
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America’s commitment to family gets a big boost from expanded Adoption Tax Credit

The “Big Beautiful Bill” recently signed into law dramatically enhances America’s adoption tax credit. The expanded credit sends a clarion message: our country is deeply committed to seeing kids grow...
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What’s the CAFO2025 theme?

And what does it have to do with Topo Chico? Of this we can be sure: what our world needs most is not just more of all that it has....
Read More about What’s the CAFO2025 theme?

CT Article on the scars and beauty of the orphan care movement

This week, Christianity Today magazine released the article, "The Orphan Care Movement Grows Up." Its subtitle describes, "Two decades into the resurgence of Christian adoption advocacy, the movement bears both...
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The most consequential investment a leader can make

If you lead an organization or team, here’s a truth worth holding tight: the success of any plan depends on the people executing it.  Other things matter, too – from...
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What’s the best feeling? (And how to get more of it)

All my life, I’ve loved conversations with my Uncle Gary and Aunt Marlene. Now retired, they’ve served from Peru to Pakistan, Hawaii to Sri Lanka – as missionaries, college profs...
Read More about What’s the best feeling? (And how to get more of it)
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