Speaker Bureau
The CAFO Speakers Bureau is offered as a resource for churches and groups seeking compelling voices for conferences, events and services. Each speaker has been officially recommended by one or more CAFO member organizations.
CAFO does not endorse individual speakers, and the views expressed by speakers are not necessarily those of all CAFO members or CAFO as a whole. Diligence is urged in discerning the unique strengths and messaging of individual speakers.
All arrangements must be made between the inviting entity and the speaker.
Kristin Orphan holds a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an emphasis in Family Dynamics and is a Certified Family Life Educator. She serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and is the managing partner of Family Wellness Associates. As a Family Wellness Master Trainer and contributing author, she plays a key role in developing the Survival Skills for Healthy Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families curriculum.
Kristin is also a worship leader and a keynote speaker for special events and retreats across the country. As a writer, she has co-authored The Strongest Link, a research-based marriage and family program, and authored Encouragement from the Heart, a devotional for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents. In her downtime, she enjoys writing and performing as a vocal artist.
Speaking Themes
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Adoption
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Kinship
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Parenting
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Family Relationships
Ronne Rock weaves hope into everything she shares on page, stage, and at the table over a cup of something lovely. A marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit worlds, she now travels globally to cultivate life-changing stories as the head of Marketing & Special Initiatives with Orphan Outreach. Ronne is a storyteller and speaker—offering road-tested wisdom about grace-filled leadership and discovering your God-crafted design and purpose. And as a teacher and mentor, Ronne offers writers and other creatives insight on how to safeguard your soul in a world that delights in demanding it from you. Her poignant stories are included in a number of anthologies, and she is the author of four books, including One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God-Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are.
Location Texas/USA
Speaking Themes
- Storytelling with Integrity
- Building a Benefit-Based Brand
- Transforming Donors into Partners
- Discovering Your God-Crafted Design
- Leading Well when the World is Crumbling
- The Unlikely Friendship of Grief
- Twelve Timeless Truths for an Everyday Life of Contentment
- Good Fruit – A Fresh Look at the Fruit of the Spirit
- Be Resolute, Stay Small, Fill the Space – Three Powerful Ways to Change the World
- Nine Stories – Nine Ways to Change the World
- Safeguarding Your Soul (A Message for Content Creators)
- Gathering a Realistic Work-Life Balance
- Failing Gloriously
Any articles or videos we can link to:
- How to Know Your Calling and Purpose https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-do-you-know-calling-and-purpose/
- Want to be a Better Leader? Get This! https://ronnerock.com/articles/want-better-leader/
- Cultivating Life with a Heart of Hope https://butterflyliving.org/proverbs-31-woman/
- Gritty Hope and Slow Miracles https://twylafranz.com/gritty-hope-miracles-gratitude/
- Article Archive https://joyfullifemagazine.com/author/ronne-rock/
- Leadership Article Archive https://orangeleaders.com/author/rrock/
- Young Professionals Article Archive https://ronnerock.com/publisher/qara/
How to contact you: email or website link
Dan Deeble is currently the owner of Lost Ball Consulting. Prior to that, Dan served as the lead pastor of Heartland Community, a church of approximately 3,500 in the Kansas City area. In addition, Dan has been a keynote and commencement speaker, trade show panelist, conference host, podcast, radio and TV guest, and he gives a mean pre-game speech. Dan is married to Elise and together they have three brave daughters– one who is adopted and all who are awesome.
Speaker Location
Kansas City, Missouri
Primary Speaking Themes
– How to nurture your adopted daughter from emotional detachment to secure attachment
– How to handle three babies in 14 months
– How to respond to, “Now that they’re having one of their ‘own’, they won’t go through with the adoption.”
– The powerful picture of adoption found in the Bible
Articles by Dan
Additional Notes
I currently have no travel limit, but preferred would be two weekends/trips a month.
Honorarium varies and depends upon many factors, of course, but would begin at approximately $1500+ especially if the opportunity is out of town.
Speaker Inquiry Email
Jacqui Jackson is a former foster kid, an international adoptee from South America, and a grateful mommy to a tribe of heart babies and belly babies alike. Her passion for adoption and fostering stems from the legacy that God has given her to steward for His glory, and she is relentless about encouraging and equipping others to walk their own orphan care journeys.
Speaker Location
Marietta, GA
Primary Speaking Themes
– Adoptee
– Adoptive Mom
– Strategic Prayer
– Mommy Encouragement
– Language of Foster Care/Adoption
– Honoring the first family
– Family Forest: Not just Family Tree
Articles by Jacqui
Inalienable Rights and a Call to Action
We Are Ignite Hope: A Seasoned Mama
National Adoption Month and Me
Rev. Eric Porter, Founder/President of Backyard Orphans, graduated college with a B.A. in Biblical Studies. He spent 12 years as a local church pastor and for the past 6 years, he has been an orphan care US missionary.
His team’s mission is to train Church leaders to develop a foster care, adoption, and support ministry. They have seen over 400 hurting children placed in healing home over the past 4 years.
He has been married to Trisha Porter for over 18 years, father of 4, and a foster dad.
Speaker Location
Dallas, TX
Speaking Themes
-Foster Care
-Adoption
-Church Based Orphan Care
-Missions
-Youth Ministry
Links to Previous Speaking
https://www.facebook.com/7citychurch/videos/1440561489388100/
Serve as the Executive Director of A Home For Me – Foster Care and Adoption Support Network. The focus is ministering to biological families, foster care and adoptive families in post placement support. Providing support for child welfare professionals. Passionate about providing hope , healing and encouragement to the vulnerable and those who care for them.
Speaker Location
Summerville, SC
Primary Speaking Themes
– Working with Kids from hard places
– The Importance of Brain Development
– Encouragement and Empowerment
– H.E.L.P – ChildWelfare Professional Encouragement
Tony Mitchell has served in leadership roles including President, COO, CFO, and CIO of several corporations. Today, he applies these experiences as Chief Operations Officer for the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
After being placed in foster care as newborn, Tony lived in the foster care system for two years before being adopted by a caring family. Raised in a loving but impoverished home, he became the first and only person in his family to attend and graduate from college, with honors. He went on to navigate a successful 30-year business career serving at corporations ranging from $2 million to $2 billion in revenue in industries including, public accounting, technology, investment, outsourced services, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Tony has served as a nonprofit board member, an independent corporate board member, a national speaker, and a strategic advisor — using his considerable experience to help organizations and leaders build stronger organizations and foster more purposeful leadership.
As a speaker, Tony has appeared at business conferences, executive panels, and faith-based events. He and his wife, Venita, serve as speakers at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® marriage conferences. Venita has worked in both public and private accounting, served as Women’s Ministries Director, and is a board member, speaker, and mentor. Tony and Venita have two adult children and reside in Atlanta, Georgia.
Speaker Location
Atlanta, GA
Travel Info
Speaker is willing to travel.
Speaking Themes
As an adult adoptee:
• Encouraging parents and caregivers of adopted children
• Inspiring foster, adopted and vulnerable children
• Other business themes (see website)
Forty years after being orphaned as a child alongside his four siblings, JT Olson went on to start a faith-based non-profit serving orphans and widows called Both Hands. Their goal is to fulfill the call in James 1:27 to care for orphans and widows by alleviating the financial burden facing families considering adoption.
Both Hands helps families organize service projects for widows while raising funds for their adoptions. Similar to a 5k race, a family gathers a team of volunteers who raise sponsorship for their day of service with the funds raised going towards adoption expenses or adoption grants. Over 1,400 Both Hands projects have been completed across 45 states and have raised $20+ million for adoption costs, and counting!
Olson’s personal tragedy gave him an overwhelming understanding of the need to find loving homes for the world’s orphaned and vulnerable children and inspired his family’s life-altering decision to adopt their daughter, Grace, from China. His book, The Orphan, the Widow & Me, captures his powerful story through God’s transformation of pain into passion, the joy found through adoption and the value of choosing life.
Speaker Location
Nashville, TN
Travel Notes
Speaking Themes
- Turning Pain to Passion – His life story of being orphaned and how God used his pain to adopt their daughter and eventually start Both Hands
- A Kinship Adoptees Perspective – Sharing his experience of being adopted by his aunt and uncle with a focus on encouragement for foster parents and kinship adoptions
- Organizational Leadership – 10 Principles of building and leading a healthy organization
- How to Fund Your Adoption – Covering grants, loans, fundraisers and other financial assistance available to help families adopt debt free
Links to Previous Speaking
- Westside Family Church: https://vimeo.com/675555161?share=copy
- RE Conference: https://vimeo.com/675610601/e6269e8577?share=copy#t=2526.379
- The Church at Avenue South: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEyoe73kdHo&t=1s
- 100 Huntley Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxTTZbGLb_g
Mom of 5. Two daughters were adopted as older children (10 and 15). Also leads kids and student ministry at fastest growing (Outreach Mag) church and 9th largest church in US. Realizing parents feel very alone while parenting kids with unique challenges, started support groups for adoptive and foster parents at church. Over 600 parents participate in a number of groups. Thru volunteer training, Crossroads is now known as place for kids who may not fit in or be welcome elsewhere.
Speaker Location
Cincinnati, OH
Travel Notes
I’m free 🙂 I can travel some, but prefer within a few hours of Cincinnati. I live in Northern KY.
Speaking Themes
Caring for the fatherless thru the church and supporting parents; Audience can be either the local church or parents; For churches, focus is on welcoming and caring for kids from hard places and their parents by training volunteers.
Previous Speaking
Kim Video: “What Teenagers Taught Me at Summer Camp”
Author of Focus on the Family book: Castaway Kid. Published in English, Spanish, German, Portuguese-Brazil, Danish and soon Chinese. Passionate for the orphan, foster care kid as I once was. Recognized as on of America’s Top Financial Advisors.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Greensboro, NC
Travel
I advise to over $200 million in individual investments, but have a team that totally supports this ministry. I can travel to wherever in the world as long as I have electricity. I ask for coach airfare and will upgrade to first class at my expense. 1-2 nights at a Marriott of my choice and 2 dinners. I will gift copies of my book, Castaway Kid, at my expense. My honorarium varies according to whether or not I am part of a fund raiser.
Speaking Themes
Abandoned at age 3, stuffed in an orphanage for 14 years, homeless at age 17, I am the voice of the inside out. I am the face of the person you believe those you are trying to reach can become, with the help of Jesus Christ and caring adults.
Rebecca is the President and co-founder of the non-profit called Orphan Relief and Rescue, founded in 2007. She and her husband Tim, of twenty-seven years have invested more than seventeen years in mission work in both Central America and West Africa. She and her husband have rescued hundreds of children from becoming trafficked and abused in Benin and Liberia West Africa. She has written a book called Inspired to Action, How following the promptings of your heart can change the world.
Additional Resources
Listening to Rebecca Pratt share stories about how God led her to the children of Africa is like receiving water on dry ground – refreshing to the soul! Her words, her life, her heart, are an inspiration. – Patricia Forney, Women’s ministry Christian Community Fellowship
Rebecca demonstrates a strong commitment to show love and to give quality care to the many children in her sphere of influence. This same excellence in ministry is clearly communicated through her public speaking capabilities. I would recommend her highly as an inspirational and motivational speaker for any group.
-David O’Connor,CFRE Five Oaks Consulting
After reading Rebecca’s amazing story, I feel deeply moved. It makes me genuinely wonder what more I could be doing with my gifts, talents and blessings to the glory of God. Very touching. A call to action for me. I thank God for Rebecca. Now I need to do something. –
Ben Malor, Chief Executive Producer, United Nations Radio, NY
Speaker Location
Seattle, WA
Speaking Themes
How to live an empowered life in partnership with God; Getting divine direction/Hearing God’s voice; Child trafficking and abuse awareness; How to do effective missions abroad; Prayers that change the world; Living supernaturally in a natural way.
Became an orphan at the age of 3 days old. Raised in the Soviet orphanage state system. Been adopted by the Russian family at the age of 10. Failed adoption due to alcohol and physical abuse. Lived on the streets for two years. Went through mental institution and juvenile delinquent home. Attempted to commit suicide. Found the Lord at the age of 16 thanks to American missionaries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1998 was called by God to minister to the orphans in Russia.
Speaker Location
Columbus, OH
Speaking Themes
Orphan care, transitional care for aged out orphans, foreign adoption consultant, author of Infinitely More an autobiography of how I was raised in the Soviet orphanage state system for 18 years.
Bishop W.C. Martin is the Pastor of Bennett Chapel Baptist Church in Possum Trot, TX. In 1997,he and his wife Donna adopted two children and began a miraculous adventure that has become one of the premier adoption stories in America. Bishop W.C. Martin is the Founder of Saving a Generation Ministry, Inc. and is also the author of “Small Town, Big Miracle”. Bishop is the husband of Donna, and father of 2 biological children & 4 adoptive- Princeton, La’Donna, Terri, Mercedes, Joshua, and Tyler.
Additional Resources
You’ve seen Bishop Martin on Oprah, Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, TBN, and 48 hours just to name a few places where Martin’s miraculous story has been told. Bishop travels nationally providing numerous keynotes, concurrent sessions, and seminars on topics pertaining to Adoption & Fostering, Encouraging Neglected & Abused Children, Community Building and many other topics geared to impact lives. Bishop has been featured in many news articles and certainly has a growing reputation.
Speaker Location
Center, TX
Speaking Themes
Adoption & Foster Care; The State of the Church; The Church of Today and the Future; The Essence of Fatherhood; Building a Faith Based Community; Building a Faith Based Organizations; Minority Empowerment; Minority Adoption
Esther is recognized as a trailblazer among millennials, working for a decade to connect influential individuals and organizations across generations to their mutual benefit. It is through the tragedies and triumphs of her own life – some of which she has shared as a highly sought-after international speaker – that she has established authority and authenticity with people from all walks of life. Esther’s first book, No More Faking Fine (Zondervan) will share her personal story in greater depth.
Additional Resources
CNN has called Fleece one of “Five Women to Watch in Religion,” USA Today has named her one of the “New Faces of Evangelicalism” and Christianity Today and Outreach magazine have also singled her out for her high-profile work. Her insights into the experiences and aspirations of millennials have appeared in The Washington Post, CNN as well as in Barna Research President David Kinnaman’s book You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving Church and Rethinking Faith.
Travel Notes
Travel and accommodations for 2 people plus honorarium.
Speaking Themes
Upcoming book (January, 2017, Zondervan) deals with the theology of lament. How disappointments with God (frustrations, pain & suffering) can birth intimacy with the Creator. Can speak on permission to be in pain, and how to turn pain into praise.
Phil Darke, his wife Becca, and their five children, live in Folsom, CA. Phil received his Juris Doctor Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law and his B.A. Degree in Rhetoric and Communications from U.C. Davis. Before joining Providence on a full-time basis in October 2008, Phil worked as an attorney with different firms in Sacramento, CA, and Atlanta, GA, and as a clerk for a federal judge in Honolulu, HI. Phil is the co-author and editor of “In Pursuit of Orphan Excellence,” a call for excellence and conversations about best practices in global orphan care.
Additional Resources
“Bringing Family to the Unadopted” Article
Speaker Location
Folsom, CA
Travel Notes
I ask the requesting party to cover my travel expenses (airfare, mileage, car rental, food, lodging, etc.) and make a donation to Providence World in an appropriate amount, depending on the engagement.
Speaking Themes
Best Practices and Excellence in OVC care, particularly in family-based orphan care communities; Why everyone should care about orphaned and vulnerable children.
Tom Lukasik and his wife Linda have fostered more than 50 children since 1994. Tom served on numerous Boards including the Florida Governor’s Faith-based Advisory Council and served as the Chairman for three years. In 2013, Tom and Linda were selected as Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angel in Adoption™. Tom has spoken at churches throughout the country, and the White House. Tom’s life-long goal is to bring the Church together to be there for foster children.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Travel Notes
Tom does receive a speaker fee and is willing to work within your program’s budget, including reasonable travel expenses.
Speaking Themes
Biblical Mandate for the Modern Day Orphan, Foster Care, Bringing the Church together to minister to the orphan, Church State Relationships, Being there, Orphan Care.
Eric and Susan Mills are the co-founders of Faces With Names. This ministry to care for orphans can be traced back to the initial call Susan felt to adopt in 2001. As a result of their adoption journey, Eric’s role as an Outreach Pastor, where he had the opportunity to work directly with those serving orphans in China, Burma, Nepal, Zambia and Swaziland, and the start of an orphan care ministry at their church, God began to stir their hearts toward a greater role in the orphan care movement.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Bartlesville, OK
Speaking Themes
Orphan Care as Outreach, Positioning Your Church to Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Kids, Building Systems of Support for Adoptive and Foster Families, The Joys and Challenges of the Adoption and Foster Care Journey, God’s Heart for the Fatherless
After being on staff in the local church for 11 years, I realized that I was a pastor who had no idea how the church could practically address the orphan crisis. In 2010, I started Patch Our Planet to unite church leaders and orphan advocates by customizing long-term orphan care strategies under each church’s vision.
My past experience is a beautiful mosaic of God’s grace along the journey. I served as Road Pastor/World Vision Representative to the Christian Band, Newsong, for three years. My wife and I lived in Argentina early in our marriage. And I spent 11 years of my life pastoring college/singles in the local church and leading yearly mission trips in several countries during that time. In 2010, I started Patch Our Planet. The following year, I was asked to serve on the White House’s International Adoption Panel. Since then, we’ve been equipping the local church and making our orphan care curriculum available online so that every church in every community can make a lasting difference in the orphan crisis. I’ve been married for 16 years to the love of my life. We have two children, one with special needs.
Additional Resources
Audio/Video:
Articles:
Speaker Location
Placida, FL
Travel Notes
We pray through every opportunity and consider each invitation a privilege. We do not set a standard honorarium charge. Our heart is to serve the local church.
Speaking Themes
Orphan Care and The Church, The Church’s Role in Orphan Care, Awakening the Sleeping Giant and Is the Church Running from Suffering?
Ryan serves as the Executive Director of Tapestry, the adoption & foster care ministry of Irving Bible Church. He and his wife Kayla have six children, two biological and four adopted through foster care. He writes and speaks on adoption and foster care issues as well as the joys and challenges of leading a Christian ministry. He is an Empowered to Connect parent trainer and is a contributing writer to Empowered to Connect, Tapestry, and One Big Happy Home as well as writing for his own blog (The Ryan Blog). He lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with his family and three dogs.
Additional Resources
Audio/Video:
Why Birth Families Matter
Fostering Discipline
Holistic Discipline: Parenting the Whole Child
Building Church Ministries (CAFO 2015)
Articles:
The Wounds You Don’t See
What About Gratitude?
Speaker Location
Travel Notes
I will arrange travel, lodging and honorarium details with the event coordinator. All speaking requests and event details should be sent to rnorth@irvingbible.org.
Speaking Themes
Empowered to Connect, Trust-Based Parenting, Ministry Leadership, Adoption, Foster Care, Ministry Staff Training and Parent Training.
Aaron Klein is the co-founder and CEO of Riskalyze, a financial technology startup. He’s also been elected to three terms as a Sierra College Trustee, and advocates for adoption and ending the global orphan crisis as a co-founder of Hope Takes Root. Most importantly, he’s a husband and a father who believes in Isaiah 1:17’s radical mandate for changing the world.
In 2010, Aaron and his wife, Cacey, helped to found Hope Takes Root, a local effort to build a revolutionary community to foster, care and adopt orphans both at home and around the world.
Hope Takes Root is helping families learn how to plan and finance adoptions, coordinate support during and after adoption via small groups and wraparound families, make a difference in orphan prevention and orphan care projects overseas, and reform public policy to promote permanency for children in the foster care system.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Sacramento, CA
Travel Notes
No honorarium needed. Only need reimbursement for actual travel expenses.
Speaking Themes
Financing adoption; Beyond orphan care: building a self-sustainable future in the developing world
Dr. Muindi is considered a thought leader in the ministry of community development. A native to Kenya, Dr. Muindi is a medical doctor by training and has pioneered LIA’s transformational development model. Since the beginning, Dr. Muindi has played an integral role in not only establishing a proven model and track record for LIA, but also in laying the foundation for implementation throughout Africa and the majority world.
She is a graduate of University Of Nairobi Medical School (1989). Additionally, Dr. Muindi received training in Switzerland and Belgium in specialized public health interventions and holds a diploma in Urban Poor Theology from Fuller Seminary. She regularly speaks publicly about community development through the local church, empowerment of the vulnerable and transformational transformation.
She is married to Festus with two grown sons. Above all, Dr. Muindi is a servant and follower of Christ.
Additional Resources
- Previous plenary speaker at Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit 2011
- Guest sermon at Flat Irons Community Church
Dr. Muindi has also served as a plenary or breakout speaker at:
- National Missionary Convention
- FOCUS Conference
- Medsend Conference
- International Christian Medical and Dental Association Conference
Speaker Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Travel Notes
Given enough notice, Dr. Florence is able to travel for speaking engagements anywhere in the world, time and logistics permitting.
Speaking Themes
Community development, Transformational development, Integrated/wholistic development, Complete community health, Equipping local leadership, Equipping the local church to meet the needs of its community, Sustainable solutions to addressing poverty, A new missions model
Doug Walker is the founding and Senior Pastor of Fellowship of the Parks Church with three campuses in North Texas. He is a graduate of Carson Newman College and Southwestern Seminary. Doug wrote the book “Things Were Better Before You Came – A Story of Adoption, Acceptance and Unconditional Love.”
Doug was adopted when he was a baby. When he was nine years old, his adoptive mother—in a moment of intense anger—said something that would change Doug’s life. She said, “Things were better before you came.” From that point on, Doug questioned his value, not just in his parents’ home, but also in the world. This began a lifetime of struggling to earn love and acceptance. Doug’s life was lived with the question, “Were things really better before I came?” Through many years of struggles, Doug came to a point of understanding that God loves us unconditionally.
For the longest time, Doug lived in “Orphan Culture,” which is the perspective that we are only as valuable as our greatest achievements and that we are worthless if we cannot validate our own existence. However, God has invited us to live in “Son Culture,” which is to realize that God loves us unconditionally, regardless of our achievements and accolades.
This book is for people who feel unwanted and unloved. It is for those who have felt that the world would be better off without them and that they have nothing to contribute. This book is for people who need to receive the unconditional love of a God who calls himself Father.
Additional Resources
Doug’s Weekend Messages at Fellowship of the Parks
Doug sharing his adoption story at Fellowship of the Parks & Foothills Community Church Seneca, SC
Website for book: www.thingswerebetter.com
Speaker Location
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Speaking Themes
Doug is available to speak on the topics of adoption, acceptance and unconditional love. His target audience is: Adult adopted children, parents of adopted children, and birth parents seeking relational and spiritual validation. Those involved in adoption services. Any Christian interested in the Biblical theology of adoption, acceptance and unconditional love. Any person who has ever felt unloved, unwanted, or alone and those who deal with feelings of insecurity and insignificance.
Herbie Newell holds a master’s in Accounting from Samford University. He joined the Lifeline staff in 2003 as executive director/administrator. From January 2004 – December 2008 he served as the president of the Alabama Adoption Coalition. Herbie was chosen as a Hague Intercountry Adoption evaluator and team leader by COA in 2006 and serves in that capacity currently. In 2008, Herbie helped in founding the National Christian Adoption Fellowship for which he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
He and his wife Ashley live in Birmingham. Ashley is the former assistant Director of Sav-a-Life Vestavia Hills. Herbie worked with Warren, Averett, a prominent accounting firm for 4 years in auditing before God lead him to Lifeline. Herbie and Ashley are parents to son, Caleb, and daughters, Adelynn and Emily; Ashley is now a full-time mom.
Speaker Location
Birmingham, AL
Travel Notes
If traveling for speaking engagements, sometimes he will bring his family (his wife and three children).
Speaking Themes
Adoption (Internationally and Domestically), Orphan Care, Foster Care, choosing the right agency and the Theology of Adoption.
In 2010 I felt God calling me to step away from my career in the secular non-profit sector, to first focus on my family and second, use my gifts to expand our family’s ministry of caring for orphans and vulnerable children.
Around this same time, my husband was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, our adoption journey inched along towards year three of being “in the process” and I realized that our story is important because God is writing it for us.
Not only is He writing it, but we believe God wants us to share our story with others. My desire is to encourage and equip others with practical ideas for orphan care and adoption through this blog, personal relationships, speaking engagements and coffee with strangers-soon-to-be-friends.
My experience is rooted in being a wife of seven years, mama to two sweet bio babes (ages four and two), our three and a half year pursuit of adopting a little boy from Africa, being a Safe Families host family, certified foster family and orphan care ministry leader.
Additional Resources
Starting an Orphan Care Ministry
Speaker Location
Louisville, KY
Travel Notes
Travel must be paid for an limited to less than two days away from home.
Speaking Themes
Caring for Orphans as a Family and a Church; Persevering While You Wait; Fundraising for the Rest of Us
My wife, Denise, and I became foster parents at the age of 21, and in the past ten years have fostered 30 children. We never planned to adopt as we had 3 biological children, but God has a funny way of working in us when we make ourselves available. So we now have 8 total children…a 20 year-old who spent 9 years in foster care and has made us grandparents, a 16 year-old from Ethiopia who we adopted after two prior adoptions broke down, our 10, 8 and 7 year old biological kids, and our youngest three lovingly called the ninos at ages 6, 5 and 4.
I entered vocational ministry as a student pastor when I was 19, and in 2009, my wife and I became full-time missionaries with Embrace submitting to God’s call on our lives to serve orphans and waiting children, families and the Church.
Additional Resources
A promotional ad for Buckner Children and Family Services highlighting the Kendrick family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMLWKQ-1hbI
Speaker Location
Dallas, TX
Notes
In 2012, Embrace was awarded the North American Council on Adoption’s Child Advocate of the Year in Washington, DC. Embrace leads the Dallas-Ft. Worth Alliance of Foster Care and Adoption Ministries and a member of the Texas Child Protection Roundtable.
Speaking Themes
Adoption theology, the gospel’s implications to the fatherless and the church, meaningful orphan care ministry consulting, older child adoption, marriage and parenting issues, disruption and dissolution-why adoptions fail and our hope for healthy families, and grandparenting in your 30’s.
Jason Lancaster is the Senior Pastor of Evanston Bible Fellowship, a Gospel Centered urban church in the Chicago area. He is married with six kids and is passionate about the Body of Christ stepping up to care for orphans not motivated out of guilt but by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the years he has been involved in encouraging others to adopt through his preaching and personal interactions. Jason has four biological children, one adopted child, one foster child and in the process of pursuing a special needs adoption.
Additional Resources
Messages can be heard HERE:
Adoption: Vertical and Horizontal – June 10, 2010
The Gospel Motivates Compassion – May 29, 2011
Leveraging Your Life for Gospel Compassion – October 16, 2011
Speaking on adoption at Fall District Conference of the Evangelical Free Church – Audio not yet available.
Speaker Location
Chicago, IL
Speaking Themes
Gospel Centered Adoption (Theological and Biblical explanations of Adoption and Caring for Orphans), Motivating Men to Adopt, Setting the Church on a Trajectory of Orphan Care and Adoption, Personal testimony of unlikely journey through domestic, international, special needs and foster care adoption.
I hold a BA in Biblical Studies and an MA in History. I have been an Ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for 10 years. My wife and I serves as the directors of Mission 1:27 and the Kentucky Orphan Commission.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Louisville, KY
Travel Notes
I would be willing to travel as long as travel expenses are covered.
Speaking Themes
I am happy to speak on international adoption, domestic adoption, foster care, orphan care, and what the Bible has to say about adoption.
Most family trees are pictured as mighty oaks, but Glenn refers to his as a cactus. It’s easy to see why Glenn — with two moms and three dads — describes his background this way. Glenn hasn’t seen his birth mother since the day he was born. His birth father was a chaotic presence, in and out of rehab recovering from addictions. His adoptive father, an alcoholic, committed suicide when Glenn was twelve. His adoptive mother’s fear of living alone made way for “Psychopath Ben,” Glenn’s controlling stepfather. Though Glenn’s family didn’t provide him with much hope for the future, everything changed when Glenn, as a teenager, made the decision to follow Christ.
God has redefined Glenn’s understanding of “family”— demonstrating His fatherly love through positive examples of husbands and fathers in the Church. It took five adults to mess up his life, but only one Jesus to transform it!
The fruit born of this transformation is extraordinary. Glenn and his wife, Robin, have been married for 29 years and blessed with three children: David (25) and his wife Ally, Matthew (23), and Janae (20). After establishing and directing the second Royal Family KIDS Camp, Glenn serves today as Vice President of Camps for Royal Family KIDS. He considers his job — challenging adults to give of their time, talent, and treasure on behalf of the fatherless — as that of a “hopebroker.” Just as some folks buy and sell stocks, he makes transactions of hope using the currency of God’s love.
Additional Resources
Hope Broker – Speaking Engagements
Travel Notes
If churches could cover travel & hotel that would be extremely helpful. However, since we have camps, clubs and mentor-groups all over the United States other arrangements can be discussed.
Speaking Themes
Moments Matter, Thriving out of abuse – Getting Well, Breaking the cycle, Fatherless Issues, The church and child abuse
John is probably best known as the co-host of the popular Focus on the Family daily radio broadcast, heard around the world by millions. He and his wife, Dena, happily married since 1984, and already parents to five biological children, became orphan care advocates and adoptive parents of a special boy from Russia in 2004.
John is passionate about family, and about God’s redemptive work in life. He has spoken internationally, authored “First Time Dad” (published by Moody Publishing, been interviewed by hundreds of radio stations, and written numerous published articles.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Speaking Themes
Orphan care, adoption, parenting special needs children, “First Time Dad” (book published by Moody Publishing), Sample sessions regarding orphan care: 1. The Call To Care: Stories, statistics and Scripture reflecting the tremendous needs of 143 million fatherless children around the word, how we are called to care for the “least of these,” and what a step of faith can do in a child’s life. 2. “Can Do!” – Practical Ways To Help An Orphan: A look at the range of ways to reach out to orphans, from writing a check to supporting an adoptive family to welcoming a child into your heart and home. You CAN do something significant in the life of an orphan. 3. Adoption Drill Down: For those interested in adoption, and those who are already on the journey, a look at the process, costs, emotional and relational dynamics, challenges and joys of bringing an orphaned child into your family. 4. The Beauty Of Every Life: God’s divine imprint is on every individual’s life. We’re called to affirm His handiwork and to do so with an active faith. Stories of choosing to see every person through God’s eyes, especially the orphan.
Kevin Squires is the Senior Director of Advocacy for World Orphans, a Christian non-profit organization committed to rescuing orphaned and abandoned children, strengthening indigenous churches, and impacting communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life’s journey has taken him to over 20 countries throughout the Third World – from the African bush lands to the epicenter of the earthquake in Haiti. Currently, Kevin spends most of his time spreading awareness of the global orphan crisis, motivating American churches to form international church partnerships, forming Orphan Advocacy Teams, and recruiting young adults for short-term mission opportunities. Since receiving his Master’s in Religious Education, he has steadfastly worked to reconnect the call for social justice to our call to share the gospel of Christ. Although he travels extensively throughout the year, he currently resides in the Orlando Metro area with his wife Cassi and his two sons, Grant and Jackson.
Speaker Location
Orlando, FL
Travel Notes
Minimum of 60 days notice and travel expenses paid through reimbursement.
Speaking Themes
Global Orphan Crisis, Motivating American churches to start orphan care ministries, Ever-changing face of mission work, Human-trafficking and the sex trade industry, Orphan Advocacy Teams: How small groups can change the world, and Reconnecting social justice with gospel-centered teaching.
1999 – M.Div from Talbot School of Theology
2000 – Planted Living Way Community Church in Los Angeles; Got married
2008 – Received a newborn boy through Olive Crest (foster-adopt program)
2009 – Had biological baby girl
2010 – Adoption completed!
2012 – Visiting Ghana for long-term relationship with Pioneers; starting international adoption process
Additional Resources
Talbot Chapel Session on Adoption
Previous Sermons (August 19th on adoption)
Speakers Location
Los Angeles County
Speaking Themes
He speaks on all themes as one of the main preaching pastors of our church, but he also gives talked focused on adoption.
Matt served as a mega-church pastor and new church planter for seventeen years in Indianapolis, IN and Miami, FL before he started his new role as an advocate for the fatherless with World Orphans. Today, he loves helping churches and Orphan Advocacy Teams develop effective strategies for engaging the orphan crisis. He has led churches and teams who partner with World Orphans’ projects in Iraq and Haiti.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Orlando, FL
Travel Notes
Matt is willing to travel to speak as long as travel expenses and lodging will be covered. If driving his own vehicle the current year’s mileage rate applies. A minimum honorarium for his speaking services are: One service: $250, Two or more services: $350
Speaking Themes
Orphans and Vulnerable Children – Responding through the Church
A devoted transitional age foster youth advocate; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Teen Leadership Foundation (TLF). TLF is an Orange County-based nonprofit which operates through-out Southern California and the Pacific Northwest.
TLF was birthed from the awareness of statistics of aging out foster youth. In 2007; Lisa traded in a life of worldly success as an executive in the apparel and textile industry for a life of living surrendered to standing in the gap for those impacted by abuse and neglect.
Lisa leads a board of directors in developing and implementing innovative programs that empower young foster teenagers to take action to improve life prior to emancipation from the foster care system. Under her leadership, TLF has developed powerful partnerships with Government , Faith and Community based organizatinos to help implement TLF programs. In the past 5 years more than 2, 000 youth have completed TLF’s camp program and hundreds are connected with long term mentors.
As a guest speaker Lisa tackles difficult issues on behalf of foster teenagers. A graduate of Indiana University majoring in Communications Lisa resides in Newport Beach, Ca.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Newport Beach, CA
Travel Notes
Flight and hotel arrangements paid for by host.
Speaking Themes
The Church and Foster Teens, Breaking the Cycle, Changing Statistics, Mentoring Impact, and Life Change at Camp.
Beth and Todd Guckenberger serve as executive directors of Back2Back Ministries, headquartered in Cincinnati,OH. Currently, their ministry has operations on three different continents (Mexico, Indian and Nigeria and Haiti). They have lived in Monterrey, Mexico, since 1997 and since that time have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus.
Beth is a regular speaker for church services and retreats, and enjoys communicating how God is moving in her life. She is that author of Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008) and Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard 2012) and Tales of the Defended Ones (Standard, 2013). Beth and her husband, Todd, are parents to nine children (3 biological, 3 through adoption, and 3 through long-term foster care).
Additional Resources
Keynoted at the:
National Children’s Pastor Conference 2012
Northwest Ministry Conference 2012
D6 Conference 2012
K! Leadership Summit 2012
Indianapolis Orphan Summit 2012
Speaker Location
Monterrey, Mexico
Travel Notes
Travel once a month
honorarium is at the discretion of the host
Speaking Themes
Orphancare, Foster Care, Adoption, Missions, Missions to Children, and Blended Families.
Jon A. Bergeron, Jr., Ph.D. graduated from Taylor University in Upland, IN in 1994. He then completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX and one-year postdoctoral training in Child and Adolescent Psychology at Scott & White Clinic in College Station, TX in 2002.
Dr. Bergeron continued for ten years at the Scott & White Clinic working with children, adolescents, adults and couples. He and his wife have been foster parents, and have adopted 2 Deaf children both domestically and internationally.
Dr. Bergeron served for six years on the board of Voices for Children (CASA) in Bryan, TX.
In 2011, he joined the non-profit organization, Hope For Orphans, giving leadership and vision in developing tools and resources for families in crisis and helping churches, organizations, and counselors meet the needs of families adopting at-risk kids. During his time there, Dr. Bergeron spoke and led workshops on a variety of orphan-care topics at conferences across the U.S. and internationally.
In 2015, Dr. Bergeron returned to private practice partnering with the Austin Stone Counseling Center in Austin, TX, and continues to travel and speak about a variety of orphan care and biblical counseling topics.
Speaker Location
Austin, TX
Speaking Themes
Adoption of children with special needs, At-risk children in adoption, Post adoption issues, Integrating Scientific Knowledge with a Biblical Worldview in regards to Orphan Care, and Recognizing and addressing the spiritual aspects of helping children heal.
Jeremy held strategic and management positions in marketing, operations and corporate finance for growing technology, fashion, and direct response companies. Prior to joining World Orphans, he worked for an international consulting firm and provided strategic solutions for small and mid size companies.
Jeremy was the Director of Marketing and Market Analysis at Bazi, a publicly traded nutritional supplements company, from 2009 to 2011. Prior to working at Bazi, he served as the senior analyst of strategy and planning for Product Partners, LLC, a $500 million direct response company specializing in fitness and nutritional supplements.
Jeremy was the founder and president of Bullit where he developed and marketed his own clothing brand, managed daily business operations, and oversaw international manufacturing. Prior to that he worked as a senior financial analyst for Occam Networks, Inc. from January 2006 to June 2007. Jeremy lived and worked in Kenya at The Segera Mission of the Upper Room Fellowship in 2005 and served on the board of directors from 2006-2009.
Speaker Location
Denver, CO
Speaking Themes
Home-based care for OVC, project development, and economic development.
Kate Borders is a Senior Projects Director for World Orphans, a non-profit organization committed to rescuing orphaned and abandoned children, strengthening the local church, and impacting communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through church-based, family-focused programs. Kate is a graduate of Wheaton College and lives with her husband and daughter in East Tennessee.
Speaker Location
Knoxville, TN
Travel Notes
I have a small child at home so my availability to travel may be limited and will depend on the timing of the request, location, and other details.
Speaking Themes
World Orphans ministry and model of care, specifically: Church-based orphan care, Residential care and (community) home-based care, Holistic Child Care (caring for children spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally).
Miracles of Love. That sums up the story of my life. Born into a tragic, heart-wrenching environment of alcoholism, drug addiction and abuse, God’s first miracle was sparing my life. God then proceeded to put His plan into action.
One couple, led of God, responded to His calling to simply love me. Being adopted by my forever family led to my adoption into the family of God. My Heavenly Father, through His sovereignty, orchestrated my experiencing His love through my parents. Then by the acceptance of His grace and mercy I was adopted into the Kingdom of God when I took Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5, NLT).
That was just the beginning. God who faithfully provided parents to love and adopt me called my husband Dave and me to be instruments of His love through adoption. We have been blessed with 16 beautiful children (2 biological daughters and 14 adopted children). A calling on our lives that would prove to bring the greatest blessings one could ever wish for…our children.
That the God of the universe could love me and use me is humbling. He loved me before I was even formed in my mother’s womb and created me for His purpose, manifesting His plan. Through the years my Heavenly Father felt every tear and faithfully provided for every need. He wants to use me, a mere broken vessel. I am His so that He can live through me for HIS GLORY! Because of God’s matchless grace and perfect strength every misfortune and heartbreak of my journey have been transformed from something to be endured to opportunities to worship Him. I would love the opportunity to share His story- from an orphan to an adoptive parent. A story of healing grace, transforming my life into a dangerous, surrendered, faith building journey of joy. With His heart…Our hands can become His miracles of love!
Founder, Safe Harbor Orphan Care Ministries. Safe Harbor Orphan Care walks along side families and churches that are following the call to begin Orphan Care ministries–It’s a JOY!
I have the awesome privilege to be Keynote speaker and Event Worship Leader with Life Through The Word Ministries (Intinerate Ministry)
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Ohio
Speaking Themes
Personal testimony as adoptee (I was rescued from tragic beginning/abuse then orphaned; foster care– & led by God’s orchestration to my forever family and now adoptive mother to 16 blessings (14 adopted) Other topics incorporated or shared alone: Orphan Care – covering both local track (Foster/Adopt/Mentoring/Safe Families) and International track-global orphan care and adoption; ADOPTION-Core of the Gospel; His Heart–Our hands; Living out James 1:27–obedience and faith journey; Kids from Hard Places-HOPE – A place of healing; Brokenness to Blessings; ONE
Heather Neely spent three years from 2005 through 2007 serving as the Executive Director for Adopt-a-Village International. Employed by VisionTrust since 2008 as Director of Short Term Missions. Has participated on and lead 65 mission teams and organized 200 mission teams over the past eight years.
Served along husband who is a Student Ministries Pastor for past 11 years. One six-year-old daughter. Hobbies: Snowboarding, motocross and ministering to American youth.
Speaker Location
Utah/Colorado
Travel Notes
Need at least 3 month notice for speaking events outside of Utah and travel costs covered.
Speaking Themes
Hosting mission teams that meet real needs, Partnering with locals to serve their community, Importance of being a servant/learner on the mission field, How to gauge when a mission team should meet an expressed need or empower locals to fulfill the task, and How to effectively train your mission team to be culturally sensitive. How to engage USA churches in a long term commitment a specific targeted community Training mission team leaders
Julie Gumm is married to her high-school sweetheart and the mother of 4 children from 2 continents. She is the author of the bestselling book “Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption,” which has been featured on The Dave Ramsey Show. She and her husband Mark paid of $235,000 in debt, including the house, and have been living God-sized, debt-free dreams ever since. She blogs about adoptive family life, affording adoption and financial freedom at http://juliegumm.com. She loves networking with other adoptive parents and speaking on adoption, global orphan care and financial freedom.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Phoenix, AZ
Travel Notes
Speaker fees handled on a case-by-case basis. Expenses include travel from Phoenix, lodging and meals.
Speaking Themes
Adopting Debt-free, Fundraising for Adoption, Adoptive Family Life, Post-Adoption Depression, Getting Involved in the Global Orphan Care Crisis.
C.H. Dyer has been President of Bright Hope since 1993, taking over the reins from his father who founded the organization in 1968. C.H. grew up in a dedicated missions focused family. His earliest memories are of his father preaching in churches about the poor and persecuted living in Romania and Russia. In 1986, C.H. spent a summer helping a small church in a Filipino slum. He was overwhelmed by the poverty and yet encouraged by their faith. Seeing the people in need of food, fair wages and a relationship with Christ, C.H. felt called to help the poorest of the poor.
After graduating from Talbot Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies in 1989 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Marketing from Northern Illinois, C.H. began full time ministry to help those living in extreme poverty. He added the economic development area to Bright Hope and has founded and shaped the organization’s partnerships and programs. Through C.H.’s leadership, over a million people have been helped through Bright Hope in 20 countries.
C.H. won the 2002 Today’s Young Executive Award and was the 2006 Volunteer of the Year for the Hoffman Estates Park District. He belongs to the Christian Leadership Alliance Association, The Chicago Council of Global Affairs and The Master’s Program. He has been a frequent featured guest on Moody Radio and Mission Network News and an invited keynote speaker at numerous colleges, seminars, and conferences. He has preached at over 50 churches throughout the US and internationally.
As a Chaplain for the O’Hare International and Midway Airports in Chicago, C.H. regularly conducts church services at the airport and cares for employees and travelers.
C.H. and his wife, Anne, and their three children live in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The Dyers adopted their two youngest children from Russia.
Additional Resources
Interviews:
MNN’s Elisa Talmage talks to Craig Dyer about an opportunity to Share Your Story with Bright Hope.
MNN’s Greg Yoder talks with Dyer about their Haiti relief effort.
Dyer tells MNN’s Greg Yoder that their churches are mostly okay and gearing up to help in Haiti.
Videos:
Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief
Experience the Bright Hope Difference
Speaker Location
Chicago, IL
Speaking Themes
Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Helping Orphans in the 21st Century, Global Mission Leadership, Extreme Poverty 101: How to Help and What Helping Teaches Us about God, Growing in Faith and Love, Micro-finance and Micro-loans: Creating Successful Jobs, Business Philanthropy, Non-Profit Leadership.
For more than two and a half decades Heath Pressley has been a church planting pastor, leading communicator, and ministry consultant. Through humor and powerful story telling that points people to Jesus, Heath has helped thousands of people experience life transformation. His expertise has helped numerous organizations develop missional strategy and experience dramatic growth. In 2013 God moved Heath out of pastoral ministry and into orphan advocacy. Later that year, Heath became the President of Pathways For Little Feet, a Christ-centered organization that is working towards a world where every child is a permanent member of a loving family. Pathways for Little Feet encourages adoption through education, advocacy and financial assistance. Heath lives in Katy, TX with his beautiful wife, Jennifer, their five children, Josh, Mariah, Gracie, Javonte, Jack and his Mom, Donna.
Speaking Themes
God’s heart for the fatherless, God’s redemptive work through adoption, Theology of Adoption, An adoptee and adoptive parents’ personal journey, Financing Adoptions, Creating Orphan Care ministry in Churches, Practicing the presence of God when everything goes to heck.
Keith refers to himself as a “reformed youth pastor” who has found his calling within the orphan care movement in America. He did a brief stint working as an Investigator at Child Protective Services before moving over to Arrow, a non-profit organization that provides foster homes, adoptive homes, and emergency care services to youth in foster care. Keith currently serves as one of the State Directors for Arrow overseeing Arrow’s programs in the panhandle region of Texas (Amarillo & Lubbock offices). On a personal note, Keith and his wife, Staci, have been foster parents for the past 2 1/2 years and are closing in on the finalization of their own adoption journey of four beautiful children. They also have two biological daughters. Yes, that makes six children, which is also the reason people hope his family does not sit by them in a restaurant. Keith claims he would adopt many more, but Staci swears a 12-15 passenger van is not in her future. Keith likes to use humor, the Gospel, and real life experiences to encourage others in the midst of this journey and motivate those sitting on the sidelines.
Speaking Themes
Keith is available to speak on themes related to Foster Care, Orphan Sunday, Orphan Care, Adoption, Church and Agency Partnerships, sibling adoption, the Gospel as it relates to foster care and adoption, blending families via adoption and agency/church partnerships.
John has been married to Terri since 1988. They have seven children, all of whom were adopted through the Los Angeles County foster care system. John is a strong believer in, and vocal advocate for, permanency and justice for children, having witnessed the impact both have had on his children. John enjoyed a career in Hollywood in film/tv production and as a screenwriter before becoming fully immersed in adoption and foster care ministry, first through his employment at Hope for Orphans, and now through Home Forever. One of the writers of the recent feature movie CAMP, John continues to write, mainly on issues related to adoption and foster care. John is an elder at Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach, CA. John and his family (and church) were featured on CBS’s A Home for the Holidays in December 2012, John and his sons appeared on the Dr. Phil Show in October 2012, and John appeared on the series “Raising Whitley” (Oprah Winfrey Network) in March 2014.
Additional Resources
Speaker Location
Long Beach, CA
Travel Notes
John does receive a speaker fee and is more than willing to work within your program’s budget including reasonable travel expenses.
Speaking Themes
God’s Heart for the Orphan; Birth Family Relationships; The Gospel’s Implications for Adoption, Orphan Care and the Church; Foster Care; Policy Issues; Faith Based Collaborative with the Government;
Jesse Rivers was born in and grew up in central Maine. Living through a challenging
and abusive childhood, he was finally rescued by the U.S. government at the age of 13
and placed in foster care. Fortunately, Jesus Christ pursued Jesse from a very young
age, and at the age of 7 years old Jesse received Jesus Christ as his Savior. While in
foster care, at the age of 15, after a very traumatic accident, Jesse came to the place of
surrender and service to the Lordship of Jesus Christ as well.
Throughout most of his lifetime, Jesse has been very aware of the calling of God on his
life, to serve precious children, most needing of love and care. He earned a BA in
Christian Ministries from Messiah College in 2002, and an MA in Cross-Cultural Studies
from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2010. Jesse currently lives the majority of the year
in Guatemala, where he serves with Abogar International Ministries, to fight for children
who are orphaned, abandoned, abused, at-risk, and/or homeless; seeking to promote
forever families, forever homes, and educational opportunities for the children. He also
enjoys serving in a diverse array of ministry positions; advocate, youth pastor, camp
pastor, evangelist, and motivational speaker.
Speaker Location
Southern California/Guatemala
Travel Notes
As the ministry I am serving with is a start-up and in the early stages, the majority of my
work can be done remotely. Therefore, my calendar is very flexible and available for
speaking engagements. Please consider extending me an invitation to be your guest
speaker for youth group, church, camp, events, schools, retreats, or any other arranged
get-together where you want people to be inspired to see, know, and pursue God’s
heart more!
Speaking Themes
As a motivational speaker, there are a vast array of speaking topics and themes that I
am comfortable speaking on! Working as an advocate for children who are orphaned
and homeless in Latin America, and having also come out of the foster care system
myself, I am often invited to inspire, motivate, and challenge youth to be intentional with
their lives. As long as Christ is the focus and center, I am open to consider a great
diversity of speaking themes and topics to inspire others to see, know, and live out the
love of God!
Sara Beth Fentress, Founder and Executive Director of 127 Worldwide Inc., brings fourteen years of non-profit experience and sixteen years of ministry experience to the organization. She is a graduate of Carson Newman University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God has grown a passion in her heart for orphan care, advocacy, and discipleship.
Through networks in the international missions and non-profit sectors, Sara Beth has connected with national ministry leaders and international missionaries who desperately need a voice and connected them to influential circles in order to create awareness and facilitate change. Creating awareness to facilitate change – this is the heartbeat of Sara Beth. In what little free time she finds, Sara Beth loves to travel, kayak, read, and write. She is also not ashamed to admit that she has quite the collection of international toiletries and office supplies. Sara Beth lives in Raleigh, NC.
Additional Resources
- Video of Sara
- Are You Living a James 1:27 Lifestyle (Article)
- Ministering to Orphans (Article)
- How Does a Weary World Rejoice (Article)
Speaker Location
Raleigh, NC
Travel Notes
Willing to travel
Speaking Themes
Mission Project Training, Orphan Advocacy, Holistic Care for the Orphan, Empowering Local Leaders, Women’s Ministry, Mobilizing the Church, How can singles get involved in orphan care? How can I be a voice for the voiceless?
Eileen has been married to Jerry for 34 years. They had three biological children and were living the American dream planning for their empty nest until God radically transformed their lives by awakening their hearts to the orphan crisis. They have since adopted five children, both domestic & international and founded Mustard Seed Faith Ministries (Matthew 17:20). They served in ministry to the Kolfe Boys Orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and sponsored a Kolfe boy as an international student to the USA .
She spends her days home schooling their five youngest children, being grandma to three and needing her Savior all the day long. She serves in the Awana Program and North Wake Adoption Orphan Care Ministry at her church. She is the inventor/patent owner of a breastfeeding cover designed to provide privacy in public. She is a passionate Orphan Care advocate who desires to educate,encourage and equip the saints to be about the Lord’s business and fulfill His purpose in their lives, and the author of More Than I Can Handle! – a testimony of trusting God’s faithfulness through the impossible!
Speaker Location
Wake Forest, NC
Additional Resources
More Than I can Handle – Book Review
Travel Info
Travel expenses are requested in addition to honorarium.
Speaking Themes
Faith, Adoption – Domestic & International, Orphan Care, Marriage, Parenting
Pastor David A. Arruda was born and raised in Fall River, MA. Was a Member of the US. Army. Resided in Alaska for 13 years before returning to New England. Pastor David A. has been a United Methodist since 1993 his has been in the pastoral ministry since 2002. David came into the ministry with a passion to help churches turn around. In 2004 he developed the 11th Hour Church process. This process is to take a closing church and turn it around. In 2005 Bishop Weaver gave David the opportunity to put the 11th Hour Church process into practice. Since then David has led two churches through successful “turn-a-rounds”, and has helped coach other churches.
David is a member of the New England Annual Conference Local Church Transformation Committee, one of the founders of the New England Annual Conferences School of Congregational Development, chairs the RISEM District Congregational Development Committee, member of the RISEM District Ministry Team, a Natural Church Development Coach, chairs N.U.H.O.P.E. (NEAC orphan and adoption ministry), advisor to the We C.A.R.E Village Orphanage Zimbabwe, Massachusetts State coordinator for “Christian Alliance for Orphans” Orphan Sunday and currently the Director of Pastoral Outreach “Christian Alliance for Orphans” Orphan Sunday
David’s approach to church and church transformation is far from the so-called “norm”. To say David’s approach is somewhat unorthodox would be an understatement.
No matter how far he is outside of the boat or box or how unorthodox his approach is, David is never far from his relationship with Jesus. David feels without a solid up close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ there cannot be any church transformation. A relationship with Jesus is paramount for reviving our churches.
in 2005 David lead the New England Annual Conference to pass Resolution 210 Which brought the orphan & foster children crisis to the for front of the conference and established N.U.H.O.P.E which he chairs. Also David is in the process to be a similar resolution to the General Conference in 2016.
David loves nature and the great outdoors, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Climbing, Photography, and an avid Woodworker & Wood Carver.
David lives in Somerset MA with his wife Jane, has three children Elvis, Katie, and Matt and on grandson Masen.
Speaker Location
Massachusetts
Additional Resources
How Orphan Ministry Saved a Dying Church: SHToday-Spring07
Travel Info
Honorarium is at the discretion of the host. Only need reimbursement for actual travel expenses
Darren and his wife, Stacia, were called to adopt in 2003. They are the parents of Britt, Andrew (from St. Petersburg Russia), and Noah from Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2009, Darren became the President and Executive Director of Orphan Care Alliance in Louisville, KY.
Speaker Location
Louisville, KY
Additional Resources
Monthly newsletters for Orphan Care Alliance can be made available.
Previous Speaking: Has spoken at breakout sessions and led panel discussions since SUMMIT V.
Travel Info
I would be fine to speak in a 4 hour radius of Louisville.
Speaking Themes
Growing Church Alliances Working with State Government Advocate for Domestic Orphan Care
Jeff is the founder of Eastern European Outreach (now called Mercy Projects) and left home at 21 years old to smuggle bibles behind the Iron Curtain. He is the author of “Leaving The American Sector” and works with over 1000 orphans and at-risk children in Ukraine, Russia, Kosovo, and Armenia.
Jeff’s story begins by being caught with bibles at the East German border and eventually being banned from the Soviet Union before allowed back in 1990. He spent 8 years in the 90’s teaching God’s Word in 59 Youth Prisons across Russia, Siberia and the Far East. This marked the beginning of the Mercy Projects ministry to orphans and at-risk children.
He has been married to wife Paula for 32 years and has 4 children and 6 grandchildren. They work with at-risk children and human trafficking, and volunteer in their community with Safe Families For Children (www.safe-families.org) providing homes and assistance to keep young people out of foster care.
Speaker Location
Southern California
Additional Resources
About Jeff Thompson and Mercy Projects
Travel Info
Jeff does not charge for speaking engagements. Help with travel expenses is appreciated.
Speaking Themes
Defending Widows and Orphans, Human Trafficking, Foster Care and Solutions for Orphans in our Communities The Broken and Fatherless Are All Around Us How we as Christians can make a practical difference in our community and the world simply by living our faith
Co-Founder & President of Miriam’s Heart, Elizabeth seeks to create a culture of adoption within the church. Miriam’s Heart began out of the example of a small church located in a rural area. This church had what we like to call, ‘a culture of adoption’. This radical ‘culture’ within this small church facilitated the adoptions & fostering of nearly 100 children! Their ability to mentor and support each other during the adoption and foster process created a culture in which adoption is supported and celebrated by the entire church family! Through the work of a few ‘pioneering’ families within the church, vast numbers of children are being brought out of their dire situations and into families. Just like Moses’ sister Miriam, the ministry seeks to facilitate adoptions and concerns itself with the children, birth parents and adoptive parents; and to treat them as equals. The first goal is to keep families together. If this is not possible, then our goal is to bring children into families or support them where they are. We also to participate in cooperation with organizations who support families through community initiatives, anti-trafficking advocacy, missions and child sponsorship.
Elizabeth Occhipinti is a passionate and engaging speaker. She works as the ministry administrator, oversees and plans events and fundraising activities. Elizabeth also works as a community liaison to develop relationships between adoptive and foster families, adult adoptees and prospective adoptive and foster families, and with agencies and orphan care organizations. Seeing the church and the family as the two groups tasked with looking after the orphan, Elizabeth tirelessly reaches out, networks to bring children into families and rallies the remaining church to celebrate and support them! Also serving in the worship ministry at Zarephath Christian Church, Elizabeth & Jim volunteer for My Neighbor’s Ministries, Urban Impact, and AWANA. Adoptive parents themselves, Jim & Elizabeth have 5 children and live in Somerset, NJ.
Speaker Location
Central, NJ
Additional Resources
Travel Info
We are passionate to reach the Northeast/Tri-State area with our message! Email us at info@miriamsheart.org for more information!
Speaking Themes
Creating the culture of adoption within your church; We can locally provide a panel of adoptive, foster and adult adoptees to field questions pertaining to adoption & foster care; Motivating the church to consider their calling under the Biblical mandate to adopt; Looking holistically at the orphan, birth family and adoptive family Educating & Equipping the Church to Take Action on Behalf of Orphaned and Abandoned Children Reaching the Northeast/Tri-State Area
Andy Lehman is an orphan advocate and serves as Vice President of Lifesong for Orphans. Andy has been with Lifesong since it’s inception in 2002: developing partnerships, growing church relationships, launching new initiatives, speaking & global advocacy. Andy also serves on the Board of Directors for the Christian Alliance for Orphans & Orphan Sunday campaign, has been a guest on numerous Christian radio programs and has authored articles for the Focus on the Family and elsewhere.
Prior to his role at Lifesong, Andy served in a Human Resources at State Farm Insurance. As a couple they also served as house-parents at Gateway Woods, a Christian children’s home for at risk youth. Andy and his lovely wife Jill are adoptive parents have 4 children (two through adoption) – Travor, Haley, and Caleb, and Hope.
Speaker Location
Gridley, IL
Additional Resources
- Previous Speaking: click here
- Articles written by or About: A Passion for the Fatherless (by Daniel Bennett) and Orphanology (by Rick Morton / Tony Merida)
“I want to encourage you to spend some time with our good friends at Lifesong. God is using this ministry to open the eyes of the church to God’s heart for orphans.”
— Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife
“Every chance I get, I point adopting families (and those who think they might be) to Lifesong for Orphans. Our Christ Jesus is using this ministry to empower families to adopt children, and thus to point the whole church to the gospel that saves us and the mission that sends us.”
— Russell D. Moore, author, Adopted for Life
“Through their work in and among the churches in the US, Lifesong for Orphans is fulfilling their mission of ‘bringing joy and purpose to orphans.’ They are living out the gospel in the work they are doing.”
— Francis Chan, Author, Crazy Love and Forgotten God
Speaking Themes
God’s Heart for the Orphan, Becoming an Orphan Advocate in each Season of Life, Innovative Orphan Care Solutions, Financing Adoption 101, Establishing Church Adoption Funds, Cultivating Indigenous Adoption ~ an relatively untapped solution in the orphan crisis, Brush-to-Berries ~ creating sustainable business to help orphans, and Successful Life Transitions for Older Orphans.
