More than 180 respected Christian organizations are teaming up this May to bring to Orlando the world’s preeminent conference on faith-motivated care for children who have been orphaned, neglected, abandoned or abused.
The 13th annual Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit will host attendees from dozens of countries and provide more than 120 expert-led workshops on May 5-6 at First Baptist Church of Orlando.
The Summit has grown from a humble beginning of 38 attendees in 2004 to more than 2,500 participants last year.
The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) includes more than 180 respected organizations and a global network of churches that strives to inspire and equip people to effectively care for orphans and vulnerable children. The keynote speakers for the summit include CAFO President Jedd Medefind, who served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Other well-known speakers scheduled to take the stage include: Ann Voskamp, author and speaker who wrote the New York Times best-selling book One-Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are; U.S. Olympic Marathon Runner Ryan Hall, who recently adopted four girls that he and his wife, Sara, met in Ethiopia; and Dennis Rainey, host of the syndicated FamilyLife Today radio program. There will also be international speakers from countries including Ukraine, Kenya, Colombia and many more.
The conference is designed to equip current and prospective adoptive and foster families, social work professionals, nonprofit and church staff and volunteers, and others who care deeply about vulnerable children.
Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, who operates a dedicated foster care office in Orlando and 22 ministry sites in 18 cities throughout Florida, is excited to be a leading sponsor for the event.
“It’s a remarkable sight to see so many people come together to share tools, stories and encouragement as they continue on their own journeys to make a difference through adoption, foster care and other ways for children in need,” said Dr. Haag, president of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, Orphan’s Heart and The Porch Light.
Florida Baptist Children’s Homes serves children and individuals in 15 countries through Orphan’s Heart and offers hope and healing to child victims of sex trafficking through The Porch Light.
Registration costs for the two-day conference are $190, with discounts offered to groups of 10 or more people. Children ages 4-10 can also take part in a two-day Kids Summit on-site for $85 per child.
Participants are provided lunch each day and can sign up for their choice of workshops that are in addition to the keynote speakers who will lead the general session.
People can find out more about the 2016 CAFO Summit and register online at www.cafo.org/summit
First Baptist Church of Orlando is located at 3000 S. John Young Pkwy.
