Mobilizing the Church in the City for Action

The Coalition of Christian Foster Care Ministries, where Joseph serves on the leadership team, recently was a part of a Pastors Luncheon here in Los Angeles.  The luncheon was held for pastors to come together and learn more of the foster care epidemic in LA and how it impacts issues in the city.  How the mission of the church and  the Gospel of Jesus calls us to the ministry of fostering, adoption and advocacy. Nick Vujicic was a guest speaker and he shared his inspiring message of  insights he has learned of God’s hope and love through all he has been through (born without limbs).  Please pray for the churches within Los Angeles to be mobilized to serve the thousands of children in foster care within our area and to gain a heart for the orphaned.  We were able to invite churches to our next Ambassador Training in March where churches can receive training to begin a foster care  ministry within their church.  Please pray many churches would come be a part of our time. Here is a clip of Nick sharing his heart:
https://youtu.be/pTKVtlbCQpU

LA County Dept. Children & Family Services Data 2017-2018

• 18,228 children in out-of-home placement
• 6,841 in foster homes for more than 2 years
• 400-450 children waiting to be matched for adoption on any given day in LA

Child Characteristics:

 Birth-2yrs = 21%    3-4yrs =12%     5-9yrs =26%    10-13yrs = 18%   

      14-15yrs = 8%         16-17yrs = 8%     18yrs & older = 7%

Church Planting Assessments

Twice a year Joseph partners with the North America Mission Board to help do assessments for their new church planters.  He recently completed his 5th assessment this past week. They assessed 12 church planters.  The church planters are assessed in their calling to plant a church, social skills, their vision for the church and these 5 areas:

• • • Family Dynamics (do they have a strong marriage and family)
    • Communication (preaching)
    • Church Planting (evangelism and discipleship)
    • Leadership (how do they develop leaders and teams)
    • Wives (how does their wife feel about church planting, does she have good support as a wife/mom, friends)
    • Emotional Spiritual Health (are they emotionally mature, have they dealt with past history & hurts)
  

  Todd, Joseph, James and Kirk worked together to assess the new church planters.

  The North American Mission Board (NAMB) saw that many of their new churches were starting but then closing their doors after 4 years. They began this assessment time twice a year to help new churches become strong, healthy churches, have accountability, a strategy plan and to be able to reproduce into new churches.  After the assessments the church planters go onto further training and are eligible to receive monthly support from NAMB.

  FAMILY UPDATE

  From rain and cold to beautiful days—this winter is crazy!  We enjoyed a day in snow one weekend and a hike the next. 🙂 The kids are still busy with school and activities and Luke is enjoying his days in college.  We love that he is near and visits often!

  

  Thank you for your continual prayers and support to us and the ministry here in LA.  We are so grateful for all the Lord continues to do here in and through us.