A Catalyst for Adoption

by Bill Blacquiere

One of the things I love most about my job is being able to introduce others to ways they can help children and families. A few years ago Bethany learned about an organization dedicated to training young leaders and felt they would be an excellent partner to help us share the good news of adoption and family care. Catalyst, based in Atlanta, conducts three major annual conferences and other events around the country to prepare the next generation of Christian leaders—pastors and leaders of faith-based organizations, but also young leaders in the business world. To date more than 100,000 young leaders have participated in their major conferences.

As I’ve become more familiar with Catalyst, I’ve appreciated their ongoing support of adoption. As their executive director, Brad Lomenick told me, it’s in their DNA. “We try to use our platform to encourage all the people who come to our events to view adoption as a way for the church to show up and become united around a noble cause,” he explained. “We love Bethany because of their leadership on this issue.”

Brad believes every church in America should make adoption and care for the orphan a priority. He has high hopes for the new generation of leaders that is emerging and offered two reasons for his optimism. First, younger Christians tend to be attracted to the theme of justice that runs through the Bible and see the plight of orphans as a justice issue. And second, these young Christians are all about networking and community. If someone in their network adopts then they all begin to ask themselves, “Why don’t we adopt?”

As you listen to my conversation with Brad, I’m sure you will be as impressed as I was with his passion for calling the Church to step up to the plate when it comes to the needs of children. You’ll also discover why I’m thrilled to be able to partner with such an influential organization as Catalyst. They are at the cutting edge of equipping new leaders for a new era of ministry. You can learn more about Catalyst and their events at www.catalystconference.com. Brad has also just released a book, The Catalyst Leader, which can be ordered from their website. It’s comforting to know that through God’s providence and the excellent work of Brad and his colleagues, the church will be in good hands for years to come.