The following is an interview with Jason Kovacs of The Abba Fund. I am challaged and encouraged by Jason's dedication and desire to serve orphans, churches, and families who have adopted or a desire to adopt. My thanks to Jason for taking the time to answer these questions!
Links: The Abba Fund
So Sit back, read and enjoy learning about The Abba Fund...
What is The Abba Fund?
The ABBA Fund helps Christian families overcome the financial obstacles of adoption by providing interest-free loans that can be paid back over time. We also administrate Matching Grant and Interest-Free Loan Adoption Funds for churches at no cost so that local churches can help their families with adoption costs.
Does The Abba Fund have a missions statement?
We don't have an "official" missions statement but it would be to bring glory to God through enabling His church and His people to follow His call and live out His heart for orphans through adoption.
How did the Abba Fund begin?
The ABBA Fund began 4 years ago after the founder, Eugene Allison and his wife, adopted two children from Russia and experienced first-hand the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses. Eugene and Carol had enough money to start, but not to finish the process. Through significant financial gifts from friends, they were able to complete the adoption. God soon placed a burden on their hearts to start a ministry that would help other Christian families get through the cash flow crunch on the way to growing their family through adoption.
How did you personally become involved with the Abba Fund?
I became involved with the ABBA fund 3 years ago during our first adoption. At that time I was a pastor at a church plant and finances were very tight. We were trusting God to provide everything needed for the adoption and one of the resources God led us too was the ABBA Fund. The way in which Eugene and the others involved not only helped us with an interest-free loan but prayed for us and cared for us in the process touched me deeply.
What is Legacy Child?
LegacyChild is a ministry of the ABBA Fund designed for families to set up memorial funds in memory of a loved one. The family that creates the memorial fund is able to choose the families that benefit from loans out of the memorial fund from pre-approved adopting families that are featured on our website (http://www.legacychild.org)
This is a great way to not only remember a loved one in a meaningful way but to help family after family adopt, as the interest-free loan is paid back the family can choose another adoptive family to help.
What is the process a couple goes through in order to receive financial assistance.
The basic process first begins by completing a homestudy. Once that is complete couples can fill out our application and send it in with the required supporting documents. If anyone has questions during the process, our Family Coordinator, Julie Franklin (an adoptive mother of 2), is available to answer any questions!
What are the criteria for a couple to receive help through The Abba Fund?
Our primary criteria is spiritual maturity. Our desire and prayer is that every child that we help bring into a home through adoption will be raised to know the Gospel and love of Christ. The maturity of the parents is key to this and we look closely at their faith as well as their philosophy of education.
Do you find that there is a big need for financial assistance for adoptions?
YES! I believe it is the number one hurdle and need for Christians considering adoption. Many couples consider adopting at some point but too many of them are discouraged by the cost and stop right there. Our vision and prayer is that one day we can say to the evangelical church in America that if God is calling you to adopt finances no longer need to be a hurdle because there is enough financial resources available.
How much does the typical domestic adoption cost? Foreign adoption?
The typical domestic adoption costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000 and foreign adoptions between $20,000 and $30,000. There are exceptions to that both domestically and internationally. It really depends on the agency and where you are adopting from.
What are some of the most frequent questions that couples have pertaining to the financal aspect of adoption?
How much will it cost? Is there a way to know for certain we will have enough money? What resources are available to help? What can I do to fundraise? Should I even think about fundraising?
Where can I find grants and financial help!?
I have a link on my blog that lists some of the other resources out there - http://abbafund.wordpress.com/how-to-fund-an-adoption/
What would you say to a couple who sees no other way but to go into debt in order to adopt?
I would first ask them about their financial situation and explore whether that really is the case and counsel them to apply for all the grants that they qualify for. That takes some hard work but there are many great organizations out there with passion to help folks adopt. I would also encourage them to look at the many options for fundraising. There are so many creative ways to raise money for adoption. If they still fall short and need to take out a loan I would encourage them to try and get an interest-free loan first and then go from there. If the couple has huge debt already that is another issue and I would encourage them to talk to a pastor or financial advisor about their situation.
Does The Abba Fund provide grants or just loans?
Through our general fund, we only provide interest-free loans. For the funds that we administrate for churches, organizations, adoption agencies or businesses we facilitate matching grants.
What is a church adoption fund?
Church adoption funds are a way for the local church to care for their families and encourage adoption within their local body. It takes what we are doing as a ministry and places it within the context of the local church - where the ministry ought to be!
How does The Abba Fund help churches establish and maintain an adoption fund?
The ABBA Fund provides our expertise and experience in administrating the fund on behalf of the church. This frees the church from having to reinvent the wheel and enables them to utilize our existing loan and grant process (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, disbursing and administrating funds, receipts etc.).
What advice would you give to a church wanting to look in to starting an adoption fund?
I would encourage them with the fact that for many couples the possibility of funds being available to help them with their adoption encourages them to take the first step of faith in the process. I have seen a simple church adoption fund open wide the doors to adoption that has led to the lives of families and children being changed forever.
I would also encourage them, whether they partner with us or not, to use our resources and ask as many questions as possible. More than anything we want to see churches caring for their families and helping them obey God’s call to adopt.
Finally I would strongly encourage them that while there much more administration involved to seriously consider doing interest-free loan and/or matching grants because of the self-sustaining and self-perpetuating nature.
There are several agencies that offer adoption funds for churches. How does The Abba Fund differ from the others?
I was a pastor prior to coming on staff with the ABBA Fund so my heart beats for the local church and really seeing the Bride of Christ live out God’s heart for the orphans. That’s what gets me most excited about partnering with churches and helping them establish adoption funds. That said, there are so many churches and we are really thankful for the other organizations that are serving in similar ways. That just means more resources and more support for the church!
Can you share an Abba Fund success story?
Can I share two. One involving a church and one involving a family? One of our first church partners in Illinois started a fund with $7500. They are not a large church but their fund has been used greatly! That original money went to help the first family almost immediately 3 years ago. They were able to pay it back within a year and another family used that money to adopt. This second family paid it off in time for the first family to use again for their second adoption. We just made that interest-free loan to them last month and they told us to only give them $5000 because they knew of another family in their church that is about to adopt! So, within 3 years 4 children will be helped into Christian homes through adoption in one church!
One of the first families we helped with an interest-free loan were missionary church-planters in a rural area of North Dakota. Their biological children got so involved they put their paper-route money towards the adoption of their new sister. That family has since adopted again and we were blessed to help them with a second interest-free loan!
How can our readers support The Abba fund, ie through prayer, awareness, financially, etc?
Prayer is definitely the first and most important way readers can support The ABBA Fund. Apart from God’s grace and blessing what we are doing will be in vain.
Readers can also spread the word about adoption and the orphan situation in the world and the fact that there are organizations like us that are out here to help folks financially.
For those who feel like they want to help others adopt we would love to provide them with the opportunity to do that – they can go to our website here (www.abbafund.org) to donate.
Does The Abba Fund partner with any other agencies or ministries, ie Shoahannah’s Hope?
We are blessed to have many great friends in the adoption and orphan care world and are continuing to make new friends. I really believe the more we work together the more we can do for the sake of the kingdom and God’s glory when it comes to adoption and orphan care.
Shoahannah’s Hope is one of our very good friends with whom we work with in helping churches get matching money for adoption funds.
I am also deeply involved in Together for Adoption, a ministry hosting regional adoption conferences focusing on theological adoption and its implications on our adoption of orphans (www.togetherforadoption.org). This past year we were also blessed to be exhibitors at the CCEF conference in Philadelphia (www.ccef.org), the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis (www.desirnggod.org), and most recently at the Alliance for Orphan Care Summitt IV in Ft. Lauderdale.
Is there any thing else you would like the reader to know about The Abba Fund?
Every dollar donated to the ABBA Fund goes directly to help unite a family through adoption. That is the same for the funds we administrate for churches. This is something we are committed too! All our operational costs are covered by our board and donors who have a vision for the long term sustainability of the ministry. We are actively praying for the day when we will have enough funds to provide financial help to every couple that applies! Join us in praying for that as well!
Above all we are excited about what the Lord is doing around the country in His church when it comes to adoption and orphan care. We count it an incredible privilege to play a small role in helping families live out God’s heart in caring for orphans through adoption.
The ABBA Fund helps Christian families overcome the financial obstacles of adoption by providing interest-free loans that can be paid back over time. We also administrate Matching Grant and Interest-Free Loan Adoption Funds for churches at no cost so that local churches can help their families with adoption costs.
Does The Abba Fund have a missions statement?
We don't have an "official" missions statement but it would be to bring glory to God through enabling His church and His people to follow His call and live out His heart for orphans through adoption.
How did the Abba Fund begin?
The ABBA Fund began 4 years ago after the founder, Eugene Allison and his wife, adopted two children from Russia and experienced first-hand the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses. Eugene and Carol had enough money to start, but not to finish the process. Through significant financial gifts from friends, they were able to complete the adoption. God soon placed a burden on their hearts to start a ministry that would help other Christian families get through the cash flow crunch on the way to growing their family through adoption.
How did you personally become involved with the Abba Fund?
I became involved with the ABBA fund 3 years ago during our first adoption. At that time I was a pastor at a church plant and finances were very tight. We were trusting God to provide everything needed for the adoption and one of the resources God led us too was the ABBA Fund. The way in which Eugene and the others involved not only helped us with an interest-free loan but prayed for us and cared for us in the process touched me deeply.
What is Legacy Child?
LegacyChild is a ministry of the ABBA Fund designed for families to set up memorial funds in memory of a loved one. The family that creates the memorial fund is able to choose the families that benefit from loans out of the memorial fund from pre-approved adopting families that are featured on our website (http://www.legacychild.org)
This is a great way to not only remember a loved one in a meaningful way but to help family after family adopt, as the interest-free loan is paid back the family can choose another adoptive family to help.
What is the process a couple goes through in order to receive financial assistance.
The basic process first begins by completing a homestudy. Once that is complete couples can fill out our application and send it in with the required supporting documents. If anyone has questions during the process, our Family Coordinator, Julie Franklin (an adoptive mother of 2), is available to answer any questions!
What are the criteria for a couple to receive help through The Abba Fund?
Our primary criteria is spiritual maturity. Our desire and prayer is that every child that we help bring into a home through adoption will be raised to know the Gospel and love of Christ. The maturity of the parents is key to this and we look closely at their faith as well as their philosophy of education.
Do you find that there is a big need for financial assistance for adoptions?
YES! I believe it is the number one hurdle and need for Christians considering adoption. Many couples consider adopting at some point but too many of them are discouraged by the cost and stop right there. Our vision and prayer is that one day we can say to the evangelical church in America that if God is calling you to adopt finances no longer need to be a hurdle because there is enough financial resources available.
How much does the typical domestic adoption cost? Foreign adoption?
The typical domestic adoption costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000 and foreign adoptions between $20,000 and $30,000. There are exceptions to that both domestically and internationally. It really depends on the agency and where you are adopting from.
What are some of the most frequent questions that couples have pertaining to the financal aspect of adoption?
How much will it cost? Is there a way to know for certain we will have enough money? What resources are available to help? What can I do to fundraise? Should I even think about fundraising?
Where can I find grants and financial help!?
I have a link on my blog that lists some of the other resources out there - http://abbafund.wordpress.com/how-to-fund-an-adoption/
What would you say to a couple who sees no other way but to go into debt in order to adopt?
I would first ask them about their financial situation and explore whether that really is the case and counsel them to apply for all the grants that they qualify for. That takes some hard work but there are many great organizations out there with passion to help folks adopt. I would also encourage them to look at the many options for fundraising. There are so many creative ways to raise money for adoption. If they still fall short and need to take out a loan I would encourage them to try and get an interest-free loan first and then go from there. If the couple has huge debt already that is another issue and I would encourage them to talk to a pastor or financial advisor about their situation.
Does The Abba Fund provide grants or just loans?
Through our general fund, we only provide interest-free loans. For the funds that we administrate for churches, organizations, adoption agencies or businesses we facilitate matching grants.
What is a church adoption fund?
Church adoption funds are a way for the local church to care for their families and encourage adoption within their local body. It takes what we are doing as a ministry and places it within the context of the local church - where the ministry ought to be!
How does The Abba Fund help churches establish and maintain an adoption fund?
The ABBA Fund provides our expertise and experience in administrating the fund on behalf of the church. This frees the church from having to reinvent the wheel and enables them to utilize our existing loan and grant process (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, disbursing and administrating funds, receipts etc.).
What advice would you give to a church wanting to look in to starting an adoption fund?
I would encourage them with the fact that for many couples the possibility of funds being available to help them with their adoption encourages them to take the first step of faith in the process. I have seen a simple church adoption fund open wide the doors to adoption that has led to the lives of families and children being changed forever.
I would also encourage them, whether they partner with us or not, to use our resources and ask as many questions as possible. More than anything we want to see churches caring for their families and helping them obey God’s call to adopt.
Finally I would strongly encourage them that while there much more administration involved to seriously consider doing interest-free loan and/or matching grants because of the self-sustaining and self-perpetuating nature.
There are several agencies that offer adoption funds for churches. How does The Abba Fund differ from the others?
I was a pastor prior to coming on staff with the ABBA Fund so my heart beats for the local church and really seeing the Bride of Christ live out God’s heart for the orphans. That’s what gets me most excited about partnering with churches and helping them establish adoption funds. That said, there are so many churches and we are really thankful for the other organizations that are serving in similar ways. That just means more resources and more support for the church!
Can you share an Abba Fund success story?
Can I share two. One involving a church and one involving a family? One of our first church partners in Illinois started a fund with $7500. They are not a large church but their fund has been used greatly! That original money went to help the first family almost immediately 3 years ago. They were able to pay it back within a year and another family used that money to adopt. This second family paid it off in time for the first family to use again for their second adoption. We just made that interest-free loan to them last month and they told us to only give them $5000 because they knew of another family in their church that is about to adopt! So, within 3 years 4 children will be helped into Christian homes through adoption in one church!
One of the first families we helped with an interest-free loan were missionary church-planters in a rural area of North Dakota. Their biological children got so involved they put their paper-route money towards the adoption of their new sister. That family has since adopted again and we were blessed to help them with a second interest-free loan!
How can our readers support The Abba fund, ie through prayer, awareness, financially, etc?
Prayer is definitely the first and most important way readers can support The ABBA Fund. Apart from God’s grace and blessing what we are doing will be in vain.
Readers can also spread the word about adoption and the orphan situation in the world and the fact that there are organizations like us that are out here to help folks financially.
For those who feel like they want to help others adopt we would love to provide them with the opportunity to do that – they can go to our website here (www.abbafund.org) to donate.
Does The Abba Fund partner with any other agencies or ministries, ie Shoahannah’s Hope?
We are blessed to have many great friends in the adoption and orphan care world and are continuing to make new friends. I really believe the more we work together the more we can do for the sake of the kingdom and God’s glory when it comes to adoption and orphan care.
Shoahannah’s Hope is one of our very good friends with whom we work with in helping churches get matching money for adoption funds.
I am also deeply involved in Together for Adoption, a ministry hosting regional adoption conferences focusing on theological adoption and its implications on our adoption of orphans (www.togetherforadoption.org). This past year we were also blessed to be exhibitors at the CCEF conference in Philadelphia (www.ccef.org), the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis (www.desirnggod.org), and most recently at the Alliance for Orphan Care Summitt IV in Ft. Lauderdale.
Is there any thing else you would like the reader to know about The Abba Fund?
Every dollar donated to the ABBA Fund goes directly to help unite a family through adoption. That is the same for the funds we administrate for churches. This is something we are committed too! All our operational costs are covered by our board and donors who have a vision for the long term sustainability of the ministry. We are actively praying for the day when we will have enough funds to provide financial help to every couple that applies! Join us in praying for that as well!
Above all we are excited about what the Lord is doing around the country in His church when it comes to adoption and orphan care. We count it an incredible privilege to play a small role in helping families live out God’s heart in caring for orphans through adoption.
0 comments:
Post a Comment