There are now an estimated 147 million orphans
Still 500,000 kids in foster care with about 118,000 available for adoption today 20,000 - 30,000 children a year age out of foster care with no one having adopted them.

Are you Considering Adoption or know someone who is?

Mission Hills Church has a ministry of adoption advocacy and support for adoptive families to connect you with resources you need. We hold an annual adoption expo to help you connect with resources to help you decide if adoption is right for you and to assist you in the process. Please contact Lori Duryea at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

The focus of the "Precious Stones" Adoption Ministry is to help the church respond to the challenge presented in James 1:27, which states that "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” While not every family will respond by adopting a child, all believers can be involved in some aspect of this work, which is vitally important.

ANNUAL ADOPTION EXPO
An Adoption Event Held Each Year on the Birthday of an Adopted Child

10th Annual Precious Stones Adoption Expo
February 2013

The many choices that follow the decision to pursue adoption can sometimes seem overwhelming... Does one adopt locally, or does one adopt internationally? If the choice is local (domestic) then the selection of an agency is in order. If the choice is made to adopt internationally, then the choice of country is followed by selection of an agency. And so on and so forth...

The intention of the Annual Adoption Expo is to help make a difference for couples who are considering their next step in a journey towards adoption. This may include those with an initial curiosity, those overwhelmed with the many questions that arise, and those who are well on their way in their journey. The end of which will eventually benefit the precious children (both here and abroad) who are in desperate need of a family and who would be even doubly blessed to find an adoptive family that would in turn guide them towards God’s family. By sharing the testimonies and experiences of adoptive families from within the Mission Hills community, the Expo will encourage others considering adoption as they see first hand the blessings that result, and by providing access to various resources, the Expo will assist those families who are ready to take the next step in their journey toward adoption.

In one evening and at one location, the Expo allows participants to gather information from various agencies and organizations involved in the adoption process to include, but not limited to, adoption agencies, infant care and parenting courses, and sources of financial assistance. After an initial opportunity to browse displays and review a summary brochure detailing the adoption agencies represented at the Expo, participants will be able to attend up to three sessions with agencies that they have selected from those present that night. Other organizations will continue to staff their displays in the Welcome Center to answer questions during the breaks or to converse with participants who do not elect to attend agency presentations during all three sessions. Hors d'oeuvres, desserts and beverages (coffee, tea and ice water) will continue to be made available, and "Precious Stones" volunteers and other Mission Hills adoptive family members will be identified with name tags and will be available for further informal conversations throughout the course of the evening.

All Adoption Agencies attending the annual Expo have been evaluated and are approved for participation in the “Precious Stones” Adoption Expo and Financial Assistance Program. Given our working relationship and similar standards, they are also likely to be approved for the programs at Show Hope. The requirements for approval include:
(1) referral from someone associated with Mission Hills Church
(2) evaluation of their statement of faith by the Mission Hills Church pastoral staff
(3) status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
(4) maintenance of healthy working relationships with staff from “Precious Stones” and other approved agencies participating in the Adoption Expo.