“God’s great interest in your life is not in what we can accomplish for Him. Not even the very good work we have been called to do. He could do those things just fine without us if He wished … His great interest in your life runs much deeper.
“God’s highest good for you is nothing less than the person you are becoming. It is that you would be conformed to the likeness of his Son. That Christ would be formed in you. It’s that every day, you and I would grow steadily more like Jesus Christ.”
CAFO President Jedd Medefind opened CAFO2024 with these remarks, encouraging the more than 2,400 attendees from across the US and 45 countries in Nashville, Tenn. to pursue this above all else.
This year’s Summit marked the 20th anniversary of CAFO, with a number of special moments honoring the first gathering of 29 leaders in Little Rock, Ark. who helped create the culture of unity and collaboration that continues to guide the CAFO community today.
From inspiring stories of God’s transformational work in communities like Possum Trot, Texas through Bishop W.C. and Donna Martin to individual stories of resilience and overcoming from Austin Ludwig, Mary Beth Chapman, Lisa Harper, James & Issa Tica, Jason Johnson and others – everyone was reminded of the ways God uses the refining fires of life to help us grow and look more like Him.
Book launches, a new worship album and film screening opportunities announced
In addition to the incredible intensives, workshops, fellowship and collaboration experienced at CAFO2024, there were a number of special announcements shared with the community at CAFO 2024, including:
Two new books to nurture resilience
The CAFO Research Center released two new books to equip parents and caregivers with knowledge and skills to nurture resilience in children. Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience, by Dr. Nicole Wilke and Dr. Mandy Howard, prepares adults to build resilience in children with compassion and confidence. Caleb Koala’s Comeback Ride, a bilingual picture book written by Wilke and illustrated by Aixa de Lopez, helps children understand resilience and inspires them to be overcomers. Both books sold out at CAFO2024 but are available for purchase on Amazon.
Equipping the church to worship the ‘Father to the Fatherless’
CAFO + The Worship Initiative have produced a three-song EP called, “Father to the Fatherless,” which released during CAFO2024 along with a suite of tools and resources designed to equip church worship leaders and music ministry teams everywhere. The songs, “What a Father’s Like,” “Home in the Family of God,” and “Faithful to Me” are now available to stream wherever you get your music.
Mobilizing foster care transformation through the power of film
“Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” released nationwide in theaters in July, but the filmmakers and studio shared a new special opportunity for the CAFO community to screen the film for free in their churches and ministries. In addition to this opportunity, CAFO shared that a new small-group discussion guide will be released this fall to further support churches and ministries to engage in meaningful conversations around the film.
CAFO2025 is coming to Houston, Texas
Join us next year Oct. 1-3 in Houston, Texas for CAFO2025!
Save when you register early – “Super Early Bird” pricing is available now until Dec. 15 for just $180. Learn more and register at cafo2025.org.
