Stand With Us on Orphan Sunday

This Sunday, Christians across the globe will unite with one voice to remember God’s heart for the fatherless. Initiated by the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), Orphan Sunday has emerged as an annual reminder of the Lord’s bold declaration of “father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5). Orphan Sunday takes place on the second Sunday in November each year.

As an expression of Orphan Sunday, CAFO has launched Stand Sunday for the purpose of calling the American church to stand for children and families in the foster care system. The origins of Stand Sunday’s name can be traced back to a sermon preached by Bishop Aaron Blake, CarePortal’s Executive Pastoral Ambassador, during which a woman in the back of the church literally stood and voiced her intentions to care for those in the foster care system. Jason Weber, CAFO National Director of Foster Care Initiatives, shares more about the heart of Stand Sunday here.

For Bishop Blake’s congregation, the heartbeat of the ministry changed on one Sunday. On that pivotal morning, he disregarded his prepared sermon and followed the Holy Spirit’s instruction. One by one, families began to stand, seeking to follow God’s instruction to “take up the cause of the fatherless” (Isaiah 1:17). Today, because of the church’s decision to stand, there are more foster families waiting on children in that church’s county than children waiting on families.

One Sunday can change it all. One church can transform the lives of so many in their community. One person’s example can ignite the heart of a church.

Are you ready to stand for children and families impacted by the foster care system? For more resources, please visit CAFO’s website.