God's Care for the Orphan: An Interview with Jedd Medefind

August 20, 2009 by Timothy Dalrymple

Continued from Page 2

If someone wants to begin an orphan ministry in their church, we encourage them to contact us directly, and we have resources that can help them greatly through that process.

Adoption can be wrenching for the mother who gives her child to another family, and for the family that struggles through the adoption process. Given the emotional complexities and risks, is adoption worth it?

The presence of orphans and the very need for adoption is proof that this world is a very broken place. Choosing to go to this place often involves real pain and sacrifice for everyone involved. But that's not a reason to shy away. It's where Christ dwells. And if we are going to know Him, we need to follow Him there.

What would you say to a young woman who is deciding between abortion and bringing her child forth for adoption?

I would encourage this young woman to know beyond doubt that she is a mother already. There is a precious child within her. And the beautiful and difficult decision that she has to make is how best to love that child. That may be through bearing the child and making the huge sacrifices required to raise it herself. And if she feels unable to do that, it may involve bearing that child and giving it to someone who is better equipped to raise the child than she is.

Studies and research consistently show that adopted children do as well and often even better than their peers that have not been adopted. So while there will be as many unique situations as there are individuals, a mother putting her child up for adoption can feel confident that there is a tremendous amount of love and nurture ready to be offered by so many adoptive parents.

How does adoption reflect our calling as Christians? How does it embody the gospel?

I've come to believe that love for orphans can be powerfully transformative. Transformative for the child. Transformative for the family that chooses to love him or her. Transformative to the Church that moves beyond self-focused religion. And transformative to a watching world that sees, perhaps for the first time, the gospel embodied in love for the least of these.

As Christians, we believe that all of us were orphans, separated completely from the love of our Father. And in that state, God pursued us and wooed us and has adopted us. So as we model love for orphans through adoption or other forms of care for orphans, we are both reflecting God's heart and making the gospel story tangible to all who see it.

This article appears as part of a series on orphans and adoption. Please also see :"Orphan Stories," "Surprised by (a Bundle of) Joy," "On Fathering a Daughter," and "A Joy Beyond Expressing"

Page: 3 of 3

8/20/2009 4:00:00 AM

Adoption

Family

Society

Christianity

Evangelicalism

more at patheos

Cuddling the Universe: The Joy of Derpy

Laura Tempest Zakroff

Jesus & the Woman at the Well Counter Christian Nationalism

Leah D. Schade

Pope Leo's March Prayer Intention is a Prayer for Peace.

Rebecca Hamilton

On Sacred Ground

Dan Peterson

About Timothy Dalrymple

Timothy Dalrymple is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Polymath Innovations, a strategic storytelling agency that advances the good with visionary organizations and brands. He leads a unique team of communicators from around North America and across the creative spectrum, serving mission-driven businesses and nonprofits who need a partner to amplify their voice and good works. Once a world-class gymnast whose career ended with a broken neck, Tim channeled his passions for faith and storytelling into his role as VP of Business Development for Patheos, helping to launch and grow the network into the world's largest religion website. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Tim blogs at Philosophical Fragments.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos