More than 100 million children around the world are growing up vulnerable to poverty, trauma, family separation, and exploitation. What does the Bible call the Church to do about it?

In this episode of The Clark Report, we talk with Miguel Zayas of Lifeline Children’s Services about the global crisis facing vulnerable children—and how Christians and local churches can respond with compassion, wisdom, and action.

Miguel explains Lifeline’s approach to orphan care, foster care, adoption, and family preservation, while sharing powerful stories of children and families impacted by the ministry in Africa, Latin America, and beyond.

The conversation also explores the biblical foundation for caring for vulnerable children, including James 1:27, and why effective ministry requires more than good intentions. Trauma-informed care, mental health support, family preservation, and a sustainable culture of care all play important roles.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

-The staggering global crisis facing vulnerable children

-Why family preservation is so important

-The role of the local church in orphan and foster care

-How trauma affects children and why trauma-informed care matters

-The biblical mandate to care for orphans and vulnerable children

-Stories of children and families helped through Lifeline's ministry

-How individuals and churches can get involved

You don't have to be an adoptive parent or foster parent to make a difference. There are practical ways every church and every Christian can help create a culture of care.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.— James 1:27

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: Our "Word in 7" segment focuses on Luke 11:14-26, and why there's no neutral ground when it comes to Jesus.

Lifeline Children's Services: https://lifelinechild.org/

Miguel Zayas: Miguel.Zayas@lifelinechild.org

[Note: The opinions expressed on this podcast by John and Val Clark are our own, and not necessarily those of our guests.]

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Lifeline Children's Services

02:29 How Does LIfeline Help Vulnerable Children?

04:34 The Scope of the Global Orphan Crisis

06:26 The Role of Family

07:53 The Gospel Call to Care for Orphans & Vulnerable Children

09:23 Lifeline's Three Pillars

12:17 Global Reach and Impact of Lifeline

13:42 Challenges and Hostilities16:40 Stories of Children Helped by Lifeline

20:38 How Individuals and Churches Can Get Involved

23:07 The Power of Prayer, Support, and Seeing the Work

24:04 The Word in 7: No Neutral Ground

30:22 Invitation to Respond to God's Call

31:07 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts

If this conversation encourages you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help us bring biblical hope to more people each week

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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