IEC Orphan Care Initiative
Caring for the orphan and the widow is close to the heart of God, and as a church IEC seeks to foster a culture that practices this tangibly. We want to be part of mobilizing the church to be a wise and gospel-centered response to the orphan crisis in Ethiopia. Our hope is that members of our congregation would respond to their own adoption into God’s family through meaningful service. As we wrap around families and individuals who take action, we seek to be a light in our community and a catalyst for the growing culture of adoption.
Ministry Strategy
ENGAGING
Raising awareness with clear action steps including but not limited to recognizing “Orphan Awareness Month” annually in IEC. Publishing materials and hosting information sessions for people interested in caring for OVC. Carefully vetting organizations and agencies to form impactful partnerships.
EQUIPPING
Hosting regular learning sessions for adoptive parents. Compiling and distributing resources related to caring for OVC and specifically about adoption. Working with visiting teams to create mutually beneficial experiences. Taking an active role in the DEBO orphan summit.
ENCOURAGING
Hosting support groups for adoptive families. Collecting and storing items for babies/young children to be utilized for adoptive and foster families. Publishing a newsletter that shares good books/articles/podcasts specifically about caring for OVC/adoption. Coordinating meals/visitations for those in our congregation who adopt or foster a child.
