The words we say are important. So is how we say them, when we say them and to whom we say them. They truly have the power to move people closer in or to push them further out. So, how do we as church leaders clearly articulate the call of God to care for children and families in foster care in such a way that people are drawn in? Not only from the pulpit, but through other communication mediums in our church as well. What structures must we consider putting in place to support our communication, so our people not only hear the call but are given clear pathways to respond to it? Questions like these, among others, are important ones for us as church leaders to consider as we take steps towards becoming more actively engaged in foster care.
In episode 3 of The Fostering Church Podcast, the Jasons talk with Kondo Simfukwe, the Pastor at Mission Point Community Church in Winona Lake, IN. Kondo consistently communicates God’s heart for the vulnerable and the unique opportunities there are to live that out by supporting the foster care community Alongside a team of foster care ministry leaders in their church, Mission Point has found some creative and practical ways to consistently keep the message in front of their church.
Kondo gives insight on how good communication is essential to building and growing an effective and sustainable foster care ministry in your church. He also lays out some practical applications you can start implementing today.
Additional Resources
Key Quote
“We are talking about communication yes, but we’re talking about communication as a means to disciple people well in the gospel.” – Jason Johnson
Meet Our Guest
Kondo Simfukwe is Lead Pastor of Mission Point Community Church in Winona Lake, Indiana, where he is committed to helping inspire a movement of people who show and share the love of Jesus to the most hurting and vulnerable around them.
Kondo was born in London, raised in Zambia, lived his high school years in Australia, and then came to the United States for college. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies and a Masters of Divinity with a Counseling emphasis from Grace College and Theological Seminary. While at Grace, he met and married his wife, Melissa. They have five children—four daughters and one son. Kondo prides himself in his constant dominance of all family card and board games (although this is heavily disputed by his family). He also loves tennis and being outdoors in the world-famous Winona Lake Trails.
Meet Our Hosts
Jason Weber and his wife, Trisha, have been speaking up on behalf of the marginalized for the past 24 years. Jason has written and helped to produce several books and other tools, including Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn, a 2018 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist and the newly released Until There’s More Than Enough. Jason writes a regular column for Fostering Families Today magazine and is the host of the More Than Enough Podcast, which highlights the work of national foster care advocates. Jason serves with the Christian Alliance for Orphans and helps lead More Than Enough, a collaborative movement facilitated by the CAFO community. Jason and his family live in Plano, Texas.
Jason Johnson is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips churches in their foster care and adoption journeys. After 14 years of church-based ministry and church planting, Jason currently serves as the Director of Church Ministry Initiatives with Christian Alliance for Orphans. In his work he speaks and teaches at churches, conferences, forums and workshops on church-based ministry strategies and best practices as well as encouraging families that are in the trenches and those that are considering getting involved. He has authored 3 books: Reframing Foster Care, Everyone Can do Something, and ALL IN Orphan Care and he blogs regularly at www.jasonjohnsonblog.com. Jason and his wife, Emily live in Texas with their daughters.
