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Effectively Engaging Churches: Being FOR the Church, Not Just Wanting FROM Them

You believe the Church is a huge part of the solution to the problem your organization is trying to solve, but you’re struggling to get the ear of a busy pastor, navigate through the complicated structures of church ministry departments or are just having a hard time helping churches see how they can truly make an impact through the work you are doing. 

Or maybe it’s deeper than that. As one church engagement staff member recently shared: “The Church sometimes feels like more of a hindrance than a help to the work we are trying to do for children and families.” 

Perhaps you find yourself exhausted, a bit disillusioned and perhaps even struggling to find hope. 

We get it. 

What if it didn’t have to be this way? What if there were some simple principles and practices you could begin incorporating into your engagement strategy that would transform your approach, mindset and overall vision for what you want for the Church, not just from the Church? 

That’s what this intensive is all about.

Here’s a few things you can expect in the Effectively Engaging Churches Pre-Summit intensive:

  • Practical principles to help you approach potential church partners with clarity and confidence.
  • Insights for cultivating long-term, trust-based partnerships with churches.
  • Tools for resourcing, equipping and activating churches to see their role in your work.
  • Clarity on how to be a good guide that helps churches fulfill their unique vision and mission.

 

We’re confident that if you apply some of the principles we’ll unpack together during the intensive you’ll see a shift – not only in how churches are responding to your organization but perhaps more importantly, how your organization is approaching them in the first place.

As a result, doors will open, conversations will happen, partnerships will form, trust will build and impact will be multiplied over time.

Details

Date: Wednesday, Sept 20
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Crossings Community Church

Cost

  • $99– Non-Member
  • $59 – Member

Ideal Audience

The Effectively Engaging Churches intensive is for anyone looking to increase the capacity, confidence and clarity of their church engagement strategy. It will benefit nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers who are in part, or whole, charged with the task of cultivating relationships with churches, resourcing them in their ministry and supporting them as they partner with you in the sacred task of caring for vulnerable children and families. Everyone from the president, CEO or Executive Director to the community relations, church engagement or family recruitment staff member will benefit from this rich time learning, connecting and growing together. 

Presenter

Jason Johnson

Jason Johnson, Director of Church Mobilization, CAFO

Jason Johnson serves as CAFO’s Director of Church Mobilization, providing training, coaching and consulting to church-based ministry leaders and organizational executives around the country.

After 20+ years in church based ministry staff and nonprofit leadership roles Jason has seen both sides of the equation up close – being approached by nonprofits as a church staff member and approaching church leaders as part of nonprofit organizations. You name it and he’s likely seen, felt and experienced the dynamic and nuanced nature of these relationships. 

Jason is also a sought-after speaker for churches, retreats, conferences, and events for foster and adoptive parents as well as for those considering getting involved. He has authored four books: Reframing Foster Care, Everyone Can Do Something, ALL IN Orphan Care and Effectively Engaging Churches. You can find many of his writings at www.jasonjohnsonblog.com.

Jason and his wife, Emily and their young daughters became a foster family in 2012. They live in Texas with their daughters and are loving the teenage years they’re in with their girls!

Mandy Litzke, Founder/Executive Director, Safe Harbor Orphan Care

Mandy Litzke is Founder/Executive Director, Safe Harbor Orphan Care Ministries,
International Speaker, Trauma Informed Educator, and most importantly-wife and mom to 17.  Born into the tragedy and hopelessness of addiction and abuse, hear her story of rescue and redemption; experiencing God’s healing grace and transforming what could become bitterness into blessings. Called to an unimaginable journey of faith and obedience to live out loud
James 1:27.

George Dennehy, Musical Artist

George Dennehy is capturing attention all over the world for his unique talents. Born without arms, he plays music from his heart using his feet. George also has a powerful message to share. Because George has overcome so many challenges in his own life, he believes that every individual has a purpose and absolutely anything is possible. People are surprised by his life story, including his early struggle against death in a grim Romanian orphanage and the dire circumstances that led to an urgent plea for a family to quickly consider adopting him. That adoption happened when George was eighteen months old. Today George has twelve siblings — nine of his brothers and sisters are also adopted and they represent six different countries.

Trisha Priebe, Communications Coordinator, Lifesong for Orphans

Trisha Priebe is an adoptee + adoptive mom, committed to helping you navigate your adoption
journey with hope. She’s written 8 books and serves as a Communications Coordinator for
Lifesong for Orphans (lifesong.org). She blogs personally at RightWhereYouBelong.com.

Alon Auguste, Speaker, Youth and Diversity Consultant

Meet Alon Auguste: speaker, Hip Hop artist, husband and father of four. Alon has performed with John Reuben and shared the stage with Toby Mac, Reliant K, Newsboys, Five Iron Frenzy, the LA Symphony and more.
He has pastored high school age youth and families for 10 years at Vineyard Columbus (2004-2014),  and now is the Middle School Culture
Coordinator at Graham Elementary and Middle School. Alon’s journey began in the chaotic world of the Massachusetts foster care system, bouncing
between foster families, group homes and hospitals. His story is one of
hope, inspiration and redemption. He continues to share his story to help
others imagine more for life and be inspired!

Trent Taylor, CEO, Watch Me Rise

Trent is Co-founder and CEO of Watch Me Rise Ministry. Trent experienced sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence during the first half of his childhood. He traveled a horrific journey through the foster care system until he was adopted at the age of 9. After healing from his traumatic past, Trent, who is now 21, has devoted his life to helping others overcome past trauma by providing hope. Trent willingly shares his inspiring story of triumph in order to
provide hope and healing for others. Trent strives to break misconceptions about those who have spent time in foster care. He has received numerous honors and awards for academics,
leadership, and community service. Trent is also an advocate for change and is involved in foster care reform at the national level and local levels. This young man who could have easily
become another statistic has published two books and is the host of the Watch Me Rise podcast. Trent is well-versed in trauma and is a practitioner in Trust Based Relational Intervention. Trent feels that true healing can only be found in God and attributes every bit of
his success to our Lord and Savior.

Dr. Kwabena Frimpong-Manso

Senior Lecturer
University of Ghana