Does the Church Need a Great Awakening?


Do churches need a great awakening? Do they need to be awakened to the fact that there are 143 million orphans? Many orphans are being cared for well. However, much more help and money is needed.

Orphanages are in need of support. There are orphanages without heat, hot water, and basic necessities. Some lack the staff needed to properly care for and love the children.
Every year, thousands of children turn 16 and are forced out of the orphanage. Because they are young and unskilled, they are unable to financially support themselves. Therefore many of them commit crimes, turn to prostitution, or commit suicide.

Many orphans aren't fortunate enough to call an orphanage their home. India can't provide for it's 18 million orphaned children, so many of them fend for themselves by living on the streets.
12 million African children have been orphaned, mostly due to AIDs having killed their parents. A lot of them now live on the streets or have been forced into slavery. Yes. Slavery. I heard on the Family Life Today radio show that there is more slavery going on in the world than at any other time in history. Thankfully, Christian organizations like All Kids Can Learn International are helping by building orphan villages to provide homes for some of these children.

In my own country, the United States of America, we still have
118,000 foster children that are currently available for adoption. The U.S. seems to be busy pointing the fingers at everyone else's problems, yet we have our own orphan crisis here.

These are just some of the facts, but they can easily be changed. Over the years, Christian churches have shown compassion to less fortunate and hurting people. There is free help and services available for people who are hungry, homeless, poor, in need of counseling and support groups. Many churches are reaching out to sponsor orphanages and are encouraging their church members to adopt. But why is it taking so long for the rest of the churches to awaken to this crisis? Why are there still 143 million orphans?

Until every orphan has a home, churches need to make the orphan ministry a top priority. We have the money, the resources, and the ability to help. Now we need the initiative, the passion, and the commitment of every church. This is a problem that could disappear. God is waiting on us. He has already told us the need. He's already told us what to do. So why are there so many Christians still looking the other way?

If you're interested in starting an Orphan Ministry at your church you can order a book with DVD for $10 from Hope for Orphans

Individuals, families, and churches can find realistic ways to help orphans on my site How To Help Orphans

5 comments:

A Stone Gatherer said...

Shari, thanks for the very sad info! Ya know sometimes we live in such a sheltered world and don't even dare to think of what some children have to go through!

Sharon Brumfield said...

I love the awareness that Life Today is bringing.
We are between churches right now but our last church supported an orphanage in Mexico. We would send money each month and then at Christmas we would send toys, necessities and clothes.
I have thought about the fact that we were told by Jesus to look after the orphans and widows. Imagine how much we could do if our places of worship did not have to look like a show place.
Good stuff--we do need an awakening. We will be held accountable for how we used what He gave us.

Tonya said...

You know you're right... the Bible does tell us to take care of the widows and orphans. Just imagine how much money could be used to do what the Bible tells us to do if we weren't building million dollar churches and spending thousands (perhaps millions) on Bible curriculum. (What's wrong with studying the Bible anyway?) I think the body of Christ should step back and ask ourselves where we are going wrong... there are too many things that are falling through the cracks.

THANKS for bringing our attention to this. (I personally get REALLY rubbed the wrong way when our country sends countless dollars to other countries to help with their problems when our children are dying from childhood cancer because of LACK OF FUNDING... Don't let me get started! O:-)

Amrita said...

What a challenging and hear touching post Shari. I love the fact that you direct your readers hearts tyowards the great big world out here.

In India there is female infanticide and people abandon their new borns on the garbage heap.

SheriYates said...

I didn't know all of that!