Precious Stones Adoption

Are you Considering Adoption?

AN OVERVIEW OF “PRECIOUS STONES”

Ministry Motivation: The focus of the "Precious Stones" Adoption Ministry is to help the church universal respond well 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 for a number of reasons is vitally important:
(1) adoption helps to meet the physical needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable
(2) adoption into Christian homes places children, who might not otherwise have heard the Gospel, into situations where they will grow
up surrounded by the message of grace
(3) adoption has a key role to play in the struggle to protect the unborn, that is, it is not enough simply to oppose abortion but rather the
church must present a viable alternative
(4) adoption presents to the world a compelling analogy of how God has chosen individuals for His eternal family. In helping to
facilitate Mission Hills’ response to God’s call, "Precious Stones" will seek to:
• Raise awareness of orphan’s needs around the world by means of the "Adoption S.O.S." bulletin board and other communication media
• Encourage people in their efforts by communicating the stories of successful adoptions through the associated "Forever Families" bulletin board, as well as, verbal and written testimonies in various other venues
• Facilitate the adoption process by making information and resources available to potential adoptive families via the annual "Precious Stones" Adoption Expo
• Provide financial assistance, as resources become available, to families who desired to adopt but lack the funds to complete the process
• Develop a sense of community at Mission Hills that is willing to support adoptive families as well as those considering or in the process of adoption

Like the diversity of gemstones found in nature, the name "Precious Stones" reflects the wide variety of children in the world without a place to call home and the multitude of paths leading to adoption. Each of those children should be considered a gem to be treasured with some rougher cut than others. The name "Precious Stones" also reflects the ancient practice of constructing a rock altar, or cairn, to memorialize significant events in the history of God’s people; it is hoped that occasions such as the annual Adoption Expos will be equally significant in the lives of many adoptive families.

Mission Statement: In response to the call of God in scripture, the "Precious Stones" Adoption Ministry will promote adoption by raising awareness of the need, encouraging a positive response, facilitating access to information and resources, providing financial assistance to needful families as funding.

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

Introduction and Purpose: 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.

Typical Schedule: 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.

Closing: While the name "Precious Stones" primarily reflects the wide variety of rare and beautiful children in the world without a place to call home, the Scriptures record an Old Testament custom whereby the people of Israel would pile rocks to form a cairn as a monument to and as a reminder of significant events and/or decisions. It is hoped that the "Precious Stones" Adoption Expo will serve to remind people of the significance of their decision to adopt in the midst of the myriad of choices and struggles that follow their pursuit of that goal.

501(c)(3) ADOPTION AGENCIES

All Adoption Agencies attending the annual Expo have been evaluated and areapproved 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 Shaohannah’s 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.

AGENCY and ORGANIZATIONs that attended the 2009 expo:
• Adoption Alliance
• Adoption Options
• Angeldance International
• Arapahoe County Human Services
• Bethany Christian Services
• Chinese Children Adoptions International
• Colorado Family Services, Inc.
• Dillon International
• Embryo Adoption Awareness
• For His Glory
• Hand in Hand International Adoptions
• Homecomings
• HorsePower
• Hopes Promise
• Jefferson County Human Services
• Journey to Me
• LifeCairn
• Lifesong for Orphans
• Lutheran Family Services
• Parker Hospital
• Passport Health

ADOPTION SOS AND FOREVER FAMILIES BOARD

As a year round complement to the Annual Adoption Expo, the "Precious Stones" Adoption SOS Board helps to heighten awareness within our community of the needs of orphans worldwide. Agencies who have participated in the Expo have the opportunity to submit information regarding the acute needs of specific children.That information along with a photograph is posted on the Board in hopes of generating referrals from interested families. When a child is successfully placed, "Precious Stones" follows-up with the family through the participating agency, and pictures of the adoptive family are posted on the adjacent Forever Families Board. Results from previous Annual Expos are highlighted as well. This is done as a praise to our God and as an encouragement to us as individuals as well as a community by reminding us of all God is accomplishing through this ministry.

There are now an estimated 143 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.

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6a