Global Network unites national faith-based networks around the world, bringing unity to a global movement.
Acting as a global backbone organization, the CAFO Global Network unites national faith-based backbone networks around the world through a shared Better Together vision: every child in a loving family, embraced within a collaborative community.
Affirmed by member networks, this Better Together vision focuses a global movement by providing common goals and shared measurements to achieve collective impact for vulnerable children and families in their own communities.
The Global Network strategy develops thriving networks to help them achieve the Better Together vision in their communities by investing deeply in the spiritual, professional, and relational development of global network leaders. These network leaders, in turn, offer development, equipping, and connection for local leaders and champions in organizations and churches in their midst, ultimately creating vibrant local collaborative communities.
Strategic Objectives
We focus on the following four areas:
Meet the Global Network Team
Location:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Italy
Favorite pastime activity:
Home maintenance and gardeningCoffee or Tea?
Coffee
More about Sebilu:
Sebilu lives in Ethiopia with his wife, Helina, and their children. He enjoys fellowship with believers and values being part of a vibrant community of friends, colleagues, and extended family. He considers fatherhood a great joy and sees walking alongside his three children—guiding them through life’s transitions—as his primary calling. Sebilu’s passion for global engagement began early. At the age of 20, while in college, he was selected to join the World Vision Youth Ambassadors Program—an initiative that brought together 50 young people from 50 countries for a shared journey of workshops, music, and community service across seven Southeast Asian nations. His postgraduate studies in Germany further enriched this global perspective, as he studied alongside peers from 15 countries. With nearly 30 years of experience in international development, Sebilu has served as both a field practitioner and organizational leader. Over the past 15+ years, he has focused on family-based care—supporting program development, coalition building, advocacy, and systems strengthening across multiple countries while working with Bethany Christian Services. He finds deep fulfillment in seeing local churches embrace their calling to care for orphans and vulnerable families within their communities. Sebilu also has a deep appreciation for mountains. He reflects on how often God chose mountains as places of encounter with those He called and is curious about that imagery.
Location:
Georgia
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Norway
Favorite pastime activity:
Traveling and running
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
More about Laura:
With a heart for cross-cultural ministry, Laura serves as Manager of Network Programming for the CAFO Global Network. She is passionate about equipping and supporting those serving children and families in communities around the world, and feels blessed for the opportunity to take part in this work. Prior to her role at CAFO, Laura worked in non-profit development and education.
Laura and her husband Andrew believe deeply in marriage ministry and family preservation. They enjoy serving as volunteers in these ministries at their local church in Monroe, GA. Laura and Andrew are parents to four active boys who keep them on their toes! As a family they enjoy travel, adventure, and cheering on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets!
Location:
Dominican Republic
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Switzerland
Favorite pastime activity:
Watching science fiction movies, listening to music
Coffee or Tea?
Masala tea if available, if not coffee with milk
More about Onésimo:
Onésimo Féliz is a husband to Yaneth, father to Melanie Joyce, and stepfather to Monica and Luisa. He comes from a family of ten siblings and a strong pastoral heritage, with seven pastors in his immediate family—including his parents—which has deeply shaped his faith, values, and sense of calling.
With over 15 years of experience in international nonprofit leadership, Onésimo has served across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, helping build and strengthen programs, systems, and multicultural teams. His work has focused on holistic child development, church and community mobilization, organizational strengthening, and leadership development, all anchored in faith-driven purpose and sustainable impact.
Alongside his professional work, he serves as a church planter and is actively engaged in leadership development and mentoring in the Dominican Republic. At the core of his life and work is a commitment to Christ-centered service, walking alongside others, and pursuing transformation through strong local partnerships and faithful leadership.
Location:
Georgia
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Ireland with my wife, Lisa.
Favorite pastime activity:
Watching movies, hiking in the woods (not at the same time).
Coffee or Tea?
Tea.
More about David:
David left his professional career in 2005 to bring his business knowledge to international ministry. David believes that combining passion for orphan care with a focus on ministry excellence creates profound impact for the fatherless. It is with this conviction that he desires to inspire, equip, and connect local churches and ministries around the world to wisely and effectively serve orphans and vulnerable children, ultimately bringing glory to Jesus Christ.
David’s wife, Lisa, and five girls (all adults now) have personally served in Russia and Ukraine for six summers. Through their YouthReach International efforts, the Hennessey’s met one of their daughters while living in Russia. They were immensely blessed to be able to adopt her in the summer of 2008. Their family continues to be involved in orphan ministry within their church, and one daughter has returned to the mission field with her husband to serve vulnerable children and families.
Prior to this role, David served as Executive Director for YouthReach International, an orphan mentoring ministry serving in Eastern Europe. In this position, he pioneered an orphan mentoring program using local volunteers, encouraged US and international churches to support orphan care efforts, and streamlined operations for the ministry. Previously, David served as Director of Professional Services for ScanSource, a bar-code and wireless data collection distributor, helping usher new technologies into a value-added reseller market. David joined CAFO in 2012 to launch the Global Movements Initiative, which has evolved into the CAFO Global Network.
Location:
Texas
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Bahamas
Favorite pastime activity:
Watching NBA and college football games
Coffee or Tea?
Tea
More about Ade:
Ade, and his wife Jenni, are adoptive parents to Kiva and Isaiah. As a young believer, Ade was first introduced to orphans at the age of 21 in Nigeria at his church. This began his journey working with orphans in orphanages, serving as a house uncle to 15 boys and reconciling some of the boys back to their biological homes. Ade moved to the US in 2011 with Jenni and worked for a church; they now lead a foster care bridge organization.
Ade loves coaching African leaders in his role with CAFO Global Network and enjoys helping connect churches, NGOs and government leaders as they form active networks to support best practices of caring for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities.
Global Network Timeline
Launched in 2012, the CAFO Global Network has grown to more than 50 member networks offering a global community, best practice resources and leadership development.
2012
CAFO launched the Global Movements Initiative to catalyze, equip and connect national orphan care movements.
2013
- 1st annual Collaborate forum
- Almost two dozen leaders coached and 5 networks identified
2018
Launched the CAFO Global Network with 31 network members.
2018
Grew the CAFO Global Network to 48 member networks and equipped over 2,000 leaders
2021
- Launched Virtual Collaborate as a quarterly series to gather and equip over 400 global leaders
- Broadened the reach of Collaborate forum to over 900 leaders through hybrid event (in-person, virtual stream and 13 LIVE connected locally-hosted Collaborate+ events)
2022
- Developed Better Together Network Assessment to evaluate the health and effectiveness of member networks
- Grew hybrid Collaborate forum to almost 2,000 attendees in 20 locations
2023
- All 54 Global Network members affirm the Better Together vision, uniting the movement with common goals
- 20 member networks hosting local Collaborate+ events to connect LIVE to Collaborate global forum in Oklahoma City
