MOBILIZING THE CHURCH TO STEP INTO HER CALL TO CARE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Your church is uniquely called to care for vulnerable children.
OUR CONVICTION
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.”
Psalm 68:5–6
We believe the local church is uniquely called and equipped to care for vulnerable children, and that call is not optional.
Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can have a role, whether that’s wraparound support, respite care, mentoring, or practical help for families who are already saying yes.
This is one of the clearest ways the gospel is put on display: churches taking faithful steps together, to care for the vulnerable in our communities.
The Pastor’s Dilemma
If the call to care for vulnerable children feels like too much, you aren’t alone.
If you’re like most pastors, you want your church to live out the call of Jesus to care for vulnerable children and families in your community. You see the need and your heart breaks for the kids impacted. But between the weight of ministry, the limits of time and resources, and the complexity of foster and adoptive care, it can feel like too much to take on.
You’re not alone in that. Every pastor we meet feels that same mix of conviction and hesitation, wanting to do something but not knowing where to start. The good news is Jesus never meant for one church or one leader to carry this alone. He called all of us to do it together, with every congregation and every follower of Jesus playing their unique part.
If the call to care for vulnerable children feels like too much, you aren’t alone.
If you’re like most pastors, you want your church to live out the call of Jesus to care for vulnerable children and families in your community. You see the need and your heart breaks for the kids impacted. But between the weight of ministry, the limits of time and resources, and the complexity of foster and adoptive care, it can feel like too much to take on.
You’re not alone in that. Every pastor we meet feels that same mix of conviction and hesitation, wanting to do something but not knowing where to start. The good news is Jesus never meant for one church or one leader to carry this alone. He called all of us to do it together, with every congregation and every follower of Jesus playing their unique part.
WHY ECC EXISTS
Every Child Collective exists to help churches step into this mission with clarity, conviction, and a plan.
For more than 15 years, we’ve come alongside churches of all sizes and backgrounds to help them care for vulnerable children in ways that fit who they are, and what God is already stirring in their people.
Our Executive Director
Vicky Stinziano is passionate about seeing the Church live out its calling to care for vulnerable children and families. She and her husband, Jamin, are raising six children through a mix of birth and foster care, a journey that has shaped her conviction in the transformative role of the local Church. Vicky serves at Summit Church as the Director of the Every Child Initiative and leads as the Executive Director of the Every Child Collective, equipping churches to step into their God-given role with clarity, compassion, and courage. Her hope is to see churches rise as they love and care for their communities and beyond, putting the Kingdom of God on display through faithful presence and action.
Meet the Team
ECC is guided by a team of pastors who are practicing this in their own churches. We’re not offering theory. We’re sharing what we’re learning, what’s working, and what we’re still figuring out as we care for vulnerable children in our communities.
Carl Belcher
Missio Church
Orlando Cabrera
Summit Church
Kyle Estepp
Summit Upstate
Josh Hughes
Four Oaks Church
Jamin Stinziano
Summit Church
Frequently Asked Questions
About ECC
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Every Child Collective exists to help churches step into their call to care for vulnerable children in their communities. We come alongside pastors and church leaders to build a clear, sustainable plan, and to strengthen the families in your church who are already saying yes.
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ECC is for pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams who want to respond to vulnerable children and families, but need clarity on where to start and how to sustain it.
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Not exactly. ECC is a pathway and a partnership. We help your church discern the role God is calling you to play, then build a plan that fits your people, capacity, and context.
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No. Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can have a role in caring. That might look like wraparound support, respite care, practical help, mentoring, prayer, or strengthening families who are stepping into care.
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No. ECC partners with churches from many backgrounds. Our shared starting point is a biblical conviction to care for vulnerable children, and we ask that churches who join us affirm our Statement of Faith. You can read our Statement of Faith here.
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Yes. While our primary focus is vulnerable children and the families connected to them, the same pathway we use can help your church discern how to care for other vulnerable neighbors in your community. We will help you clarify what fits your church’s calling and capacity, so your care stays focused, healthy, and sustainable.
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ECC Alumni is the ongoing community for churches that have completed a Lab. After your Lab, you can join ECC Alumni to stay connected with other church leaders who are living this out in their own contexts. Alumni churches gather quarterly for prayer and coaching, share what’s working, and learn from one another. Many churches also take part in an annual vision gathering to rest, reset, and envision what care can look like in their church, and across their city or region.
The Labs
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An ECC Lab is a 24-hour, two-day experience designed to help churches move from conviction to clarity. You will receive practical guidance, learn from other churches, and begin shaping a plan that is sustainable.
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We recommend bringing a small team, often a pastor and one to three leaders who can help champion the vision. Some churches bring staff, key volunteers, foster or adoptive parents, or trusted ministry leaders.
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Labs are a mix of vision, practical training, and peer learning. You will hear real stories from churches, learn what is effective, and begin mapping next steps that make sense for your church.
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You will leave with clarity on your church’s next step and a starter plan you can build on. You will also leave with examples, tools, and relationships that help you move forward with confidence.
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That is common. The goal is not to have everything solved in two days. The goal is to leave with a clear direction and a realistic next step.
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Labs are hosted in different locations. Once you start the conversation, we will share upcoming Lab options and details.
Getting Started and Next Steps
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Start by filling out the form on the Get Started page. We will learn about your church, your community, and what you are hoping for, then share the best next step.
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After the Lab, we stay connected. We help you take your next step and mobilize your people in a way that fits your church through our quarterly coaching calls.
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It depends on your church’s size, capacity, and starting point. Some churches begin quickly with simple steps. Others take time to build alignment and identify leaders. Either way, you’ll leave the Lab with clear next steps, and we’ll help you move forward at a pace that is sustainable.
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Yes. Part of caring well is building wise relationships with trusted local partners. We help you identify who to connect with and think through how to engage those partners in a way that fits your church and your community.
Cost and Logistics
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ECC support is offered at no cost to churches, thanks to generous partners and Alumni Churches who want to remove barriers and help churches step into this mission.
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Churches typically cover their own travel. We will provide details early so you can plan.
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No. ECC is not a legal provider and does not replace licensed professionals. Foster and adoption processes vary by state and agency. We help churches navigate the landscape wisely and connect with trusted local resources.
Fit and Common Concerns
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Small churches can play a powerful role. Many begin with wraparound care and practical support, then grow from there.
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That is a great place to begin. ECC can help you strengthen support, mobilize the wider church, and build a plan so those families are not carrying the weight alone.
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You are not alone. ECC can help you simplify, clarify roles, and build a plan that can last.
Still have questions?
We would love to hear your story and help you find a clear next step.
Ready to take the first step?
Getting started is simple. Reach out today, and we’ll help you find a clear next step.