• Step 1: Identify a Representative

    identify a representativeWhile we believe that every church is biblically mandated to care for orphans, not every person is gifted to lead an orphan care ministry.  Ideally, you need to find a lay leader with the potential to lead your church in this area.  If God has not provided a clear selection for who that person is, identify someone from the congregation and/or someone on your church staff that can attend the first two meetings in order to process whether this is a ministry your church can organize and run with excellence.  Pray for God to help you identify this person in your congregation and ask others to join you in praying for this person as well.

  • Step 2: Make Contact

    attend session 1 & 2After a leader or representative has been identified, this person and a church staff liaison should contact our Director of Outreach (bruce@embracetexas.org) to discuss how your church might move forward.  You will need at least one copy of "How to Launch an Orphans Ministry at Your Church" by Jason Weber as this will give you a basic outline for the ministry.  In our initial conversation, we will talk about the areas of orphan care your church may be already considering and existing ministries or organizations you can learn from and build synergy with for your future efforts.

  • Step 3: Develop the Vision

    develop the visionProverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Now that you have contacted Embrace and learned of some things that are already being done, begin working through the first two Sketching Floor sessions and developing a vision for the ministry.  Throughout this time, you will begin praying for a group of people to connect with you in leading this ministry at your church, The vision should compliment the mission and focus of your church as it is bathed in prayer by your church staff and team.  Assemble your church staff liaison and your team in order to brainstorm what direction(s) this ministry will take at your church.

  • Step 4: Move Forward

    move forwardIf your church staff and team has collectively prayed and received a vision that flows with the heartbeat of your church's focus and mission for orphan care ministry, it is time to jump in with both feet.  Continue working through the Sketching Floor sessions.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.  The eight Sketching Floor sessions are there to help guide you.  While we'd love for every new ministry to be organized and running within the timeframe of 18 months, we are confident that God works in his own time and he will mold the heart of your church to take on the vision he has set before you.