Welcome to OVC Essentials!

We are so glad you’re here!

This course offers resources and learning focused on best practices across a variety of topics that will educate, inspire and equip you for wise and effective service to vulnerable children.

Our core objectives: 

Understand the central, unique, and critical role of God’s people in caring for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) around the world.

Gain an introductory understanding of how the local church can launch, develop and sustain OVC ministries.

Understand the high priority of family-based care for children outside of parental care – including the real-world tensions and factors involved in starting, transitioning, and supporting family-based programs.

Exposure to the experience of adoptees and foster youth, alongside of an rudimentary understanding of some of the ethical, practical, sociological and spiritual implications of both adoption and foster care.

Build a foundational knowledge of the impact of trauma on children and how caregivers can be a part of healing and transformation in their lives.

Recognize existing concerns with the Church’s historic relationship to OVC-serving short-term missions and volunteerism and grasp evidence-based guidance and best practices for short-term missions.

Develop an appreciation for and a plan to implement rhythms, practices, disciplines, and community support that will sustain your soul and whole person you over the long haul of engaging the world’s hurt.

Generate future goals and ideas for further engagement, service, and training.

Let’s jump in!