Below is a brief video that Russell Moore, author of Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches, made for the Christian Alliance for Orphans. He speaks about how and why we should create “a culture of adoption” in our churches. (Dr. Moore is the Dean of Theology at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.)

Moore says, “I’ve found a lot of churches, when God pierces their hearts for orphans, want to download a ready-made program to do so. But I think adoption and orphan care have to be more organic than that, and I think there are some realities this move forms beyond the question of orphans and families themselves.” This clip explains why.

As a former orphan and adoptee myself, and as the pastor of a church containing several adopted children, adoptive parents, foster children, foster parents, and parents needing or providing respite care, I appreciate the challenge to find meaningful ways to be more involved in our community in these ways. The need is certainly great.

And while we’re on the subject, a word of thanks to the late Carl and Cherie Valentino of Reading, PA, who met a very specific need (viz., me!), for which I am eternally grateful.