The Church is God’s plan for exalting the name of Jesus, making disciples, and spreading His name to the nations. There are many ways that, as the Bride of Christ, the Church accomplishes this mission. Throughout Scripture, God has consistently directed His people to care for the vulnerable as a means of bearing His image, putting the gospel on display to a watching world. Everyone who follows Jesus has a role in caring for orphans, widows, and the defenseless as an avenue to proclaim His gospel.

At ECHO, we honor the position of the Church as the Bride of Christ, and we want to serve the Bride as a bridesmaid by coming alongside local churches to resource them to proclaim the gospel through caring for orphans and vulnerable children. Whether it be through adoption, fostering, orphancare, prevention or education and counseling, our mission is accomplished when we help churches to live out the gospel directives in their communities and to the ends of the earth.

ENGAGE WITH ECHO

BECOME A PARTNER.

You can have a direct impact on families right inside the walls of your church and within your immediate community. Partnerships come in three categories: Responding Churches, Advocating Churches, and Connecting Churches. Partner Churches collaborate with the team at ECHO to assess needs, locate resources, and provide care for children and families in crisis. We even provide a tool called CarePortal to make all of this incredibly efficient. If your church is not yet partnered with ECHO, let’s take some time to meet. Schedule an appointment.

HOST A NEXT STEPS EVENT.

Our team can meet or talk with prospective adoptive families in your congregation who are interested in learning about the next steps toward foster care and adoption. More information: hello@wearetheecho.org

HOST A 6-WEEK SUPPORT GROUP FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES.

Connecting with other foster and adoptive parents allows space to build relationships, offer best practices, and share the foster care and adoption journey. Use this free guide to implement a group at your church. More information: lifelinechild.org/ adoption-support-group-guide/

JOIN OR FORM A CARE COMMUNITY.

Care Communities are the way we ensure kinship, foster, and adoptive families don’t fall through the cracks. If you can text, call, or visit a family, you can join a Care Community and provide direct support to a family who needs you. More information: hello@wearetheecho.org

JOIN A PRAYER CIRCLE.

Connect your church's prayer ministry to pray for orphans and for the needs and requests shared by ECHO. More information: hello@wearetheecho.org.

PARTNER THROUGH A CHURCH-WIDE INITIATIVE

STAND FOR ORPHANS®.

Created by children who wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, Stand for Orphans is a chance for children to understand that God has given all of us the opportunity and ability to affect change in the world. Don't underestimate what one child can do. Make a stand to take a stand. More information: standfororphans.org

HOST A CRAZY FUN NIGHT OUT.

Foster and adoptive parents are often running thin and many have gone years since having a date night or a quiet bath or an uninterrupted phone call with a friend or loved one. Crazy Fun Night Out is a three hour opportunity for these parents to drop their children off in a safe environment and take advantage of a much needed time of renewal. More information: hello@wearetheecho.org

ORPHAN SUNDAY+STAND SUNDAY.

Nearly two decades ago, Orphan Sunday began in a worship service in Zambia. Today, thousands of churches all over the world set aside a day to focus on God's call to care for children experience family separation and to help the church discover how to respond. Each year, ECHO provides sermon helps, Bible study lessons, prayer guides, and other resources to help your church commemorate Orphan Sunday+Stand Sunday. More information: wearetheecho.org/osss

ORGANIZE A REGULAR DIAPER COLLECTION.

Each month, we distribute over 20,000 diapers to hundreds of families across the Peninsula and that number is growing with each distribution. You can help us by hosting a monthly or quarterly diaper drive collection More information: hello@wearetheecho.org

REPLENISH STOCK OF EMERGENCY RESOURCES.

We maintain a moderate supply of physical items for families who’ve just accepted a placement and need to focus on the transitioning the people in their home to a new rhythm of life. These items help lift the burden of shopping for practical items like beds, car seats, diapers, pajamas, toiletries, etc. and allow families to focus more on the people in their home while we focus on getting the stuff. Your church can host a drive for needed items. More information: hello@wearetheecho.org

For more information or to set up a meeting with someone on our Church Partner Team, please reach out to us at hello@wearetheecho.org

Credit: Lifeline Children’s Service and ECHO Orphancare Partners