November 11, 2021 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Seventh-day Adventists around the world will have the opportunity to shed more light on the need to seek out and care for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities on Nov. 20. The day, which has been coined as the World Orphans – Vulnerable Children’s Day, will be highlighted throughout the Inter-American Division territory with a special four-hour online event.
“We want to bring about intentional awareness as to this ministry to the orphans and vulnerable children here in in the Inter-American Division territory, to change church members’ beliefs, values and attitudes towards this group,” said Pastor Samuel Telemaque, possibility ministries director for the church in Inter-America.
The population of orphans globally is estimated at 107 million, a major concern for governments, NGOs and church leaders, said Telemaque. In Latin America and the Caribbean regions there are an estimated 8 million orphans (UNICEF, UNAIDS et al, Children on the Brink 2002) and the church simply cannot ignore that, he said.
“There are key things that orphans and vulnerable children struggle with and we want to bring knowledge, awareness and visibility, through a set of short presentations, messages and workshops on Nov. 20,” explained Telemaque. “We want orphans and vulnerable children to know that they are part of the family of God, and they can find their identity in Him (God).”
It’s about understanding how to build trust and acceptance among orphans, their caregivers, and the church through coordination with its orphan ministries, explained Telemaque.
Themed “Restoring My Identity in Christ,” the possibility ministries online event will feature guest speakers from the Adventist World Church and the Inter-American Division, as well as include worship, prayer, special performance segments, and more.
The program will begin on Nov. 20, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Miami Time, and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. Miami Time, and will be available to view in English, Spanish, and French.
To view Inter-America’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children Emphasis Day on Nov. 20, 2021, go HERE