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Allies for Orphans

Christian Alliance for orphans joins hands to help 143 million orphans worldwide.
W. Scott Brown | Outcomes, Aug/Sep 2008

Seen from space, planet Earth is a patchwork of azure blue and verdant green. What if from that lofty vantage point you could focus in on a particular country, visit the dusty roads of a remote village, and learn the story of an orphaned child in need?

Christian Alliance for Orphans wants to help you do just that, through a new orphan awareness project called "Faces of the Forgotten." This initiative, developed by Loving Shepherd Ministries (LSM) in partnership with the Christian Alliance for Orphans, will use Google Earth technology and multimedia presentations to highlight the work alliance members do to help orphans in more than 140 countries.

"There are currently 143 million orphans in the world. That is a staggering number, but it still doesn't move us to tears—not until we can connect faces, hearts, and stories with the numbers," said Ed Schwartz, president of LSM. "This is a project that takes you from the outer realms of the universe through Google Earth, down to the dirt floors of huts, to villages, and to the front doors of orphanages."

The project is just one example of the Christian Alliance for Orphans' broad mission. Nearly 100 organizations, including LSM, have joined the nonprofit alliance since it officially launched in November 2007. "I strongly believe that this alliance is the most profound, most strategic thing on the face of the earth that will reach the 143 million orphans of the world," said Schwartz.

The primary goal of the alliance is to help the body of Christ work together to help every orphan experience God's unfailing love and to know Christ as Savior. The alliance's core mission is to motivate and unify the body of Christ to live out God's mandate to care for the orphan. That is done by inspiring believers and the local church to care for orphans, by connecting believers with resources, and by encouraging unity among orphan care providers and advocates.

The alliance also promotes biblical standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency while proclaiming with a unified voice God's mandate to care for the orphan. One way the alliance's leaders encourage these qualities is by working closely with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). All member groups large enough to qualify are encouraged to join ECFA, and smaller groups are evaluated by the alliance for compliance with high standards of integrity in financial accountability and fundraising. The alliance hopes to be a resource for churches and individuals looking to connect with trustworthy orphan ministries.