Elli Oswald reconsiders the ways American churches serve vulnerable children and honor them as image bearers of God. Through the Faith to Action Initiative, she advocates for systemic changes that would make orphanages obsolete around the world. What You’ll Learn :The Research about Orphanages, Family-Based Care and Child DevelopmentThe Risks Involved with Mission Trips to OrphanagesHow Conflicts — Like the War in Ukraine —Affect Children and OrphansAbout the Guest: Elli Oswald is the Executive Director of the Faith to Action Initiative. The organization advocates for family-based care for children and functions to “mobilize and educate churches, faith-based organizations and individuals to engage in care that upholds the vital importance of family in a child’s life.” Prior to this role, she served as Director of Mission and Outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, Washington. There she guided Bethany Community Church in various ministries to the poor and vulnerable in Seattle and around the world. Elli has also served as the Children in Crisis Research and Communications Coordinator for World Vision International’s Child Development and Rights Technical Team which specializes in community-based care for children deprived of parental care. Elli has a B.A. from Pepperdine University and a M.A. in Cross Cultural Studies and International Development from Fuller Theological Seminary. She has worked with a wide variety of non-profit organizations, including Union Station Homeless Services in Los Angeles.Scripture Related to Episode:Genesis 1: 27, All Humanity Created in God’s ImageLinks Related to Episode:Faith to Action InitiativeFaith to Action Initiative - FBFaith to Action Initiative - TwitterResources to Learn about Child AdvocacyTimestamped Show Notes:01:07 - Topic: The Importance of Family-Based Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children01:56 - The Blessing of Extended Family03:31 - The Faith to Action Initiative04:22 - What the Research Says about Orphanages vs. Family-Based Living05:00 - Where Is the Orphan's Family?05:34 - When a Child Might be Better-Off in an Orphanage06:48 - Mission Trips to Orphanages — the Risks, the Money and the Children08:24 - Child Advocacy and Supporting Vulnerable Families 09:09 - Discrimination and Children with Disabilities09:44 - Follow the Money10:29 - The Impact of War on Children and Orphans11:49 - Adopting Children and Orphans12:53 - COVID's Global Impact on Children13:37 - When a Child Loses a Care Giver13:54 - Holistic Care for Children14:47 - It Can Happen!15:09 - History of the Church Protecting the Vulnerable16:20 - Find Resources and Connect with the Faith to Action Initiative17:29 - Knock, Knock. Who's There?