Heartfelt reflections from Karen Phillips of Restore Hope about a transformative experience
I said an early goodbye to a truly beautiful place filled with beautiful people, Winshape Retreat Center in Georgia.
My heartfelt thanks go to Riley P. Green III and Callie Priest for embodying the warmth and hospitality you’d expect from the Chick-fil-A/Cathy family.
The creation of the Foster Care Collective is a testament to the family’s dedication to finding innovative ways to love and support children and families impacted by, or at risk of, foster care involvement. It was such a blessing to see Bubba and Cindy Cathy start us off with their warm welcome—and on their anniversary, no less! Watching their son beam with pride as his parents shared their hearts was a moment I’ll always treasure.
Gathered around the fireplace, I had meaningful conversations with staff from WinShape, like Emily and Sylvester, who added so much to the experience. The atmosphere was one of worship, prayer, and connection, with many of us reflecting on the challenges and transformations in child welfare.
Among the 30 or so inspiring leaders present, I was deeply humbled to share the room with these incredible individuals:
Jamie Finn, whose devotional Filled is one of the best resources I’ve encountered for foster parents. Her posts on lessons learned in foster care have been a guiding light for me. (And yes, I may have introduced myself a little awkwardly in true fan fashion, but it was worth it!)
Tom Baldwin, whose passion for supporting young adults aging out of care led him to leave the corporate world and join Belmont University’s Innovation Lab. His research-driven approach to solving systemic issues is nothing short of inspiring.
Jared Brown and Deb Wyatt with For Others, who have propelled Restore Hope forward with their strategic support and advocacy, helping us be part of critical conversations in foster care reform.
Jedd Medefind, the visionary leader of CAFO, who took genuine interest in 100 Families and its collaborative impact on families and children.
Austin Ludwig, an extraordinary musician, speaker, and prayer warrior. His testimony and music at last year’s CAFO Summit moved me deeply, and I was thrilled to share that with him in person.
Jason Weber, who leads More Than Enough at CAFO, equipping churches to engage meaningfully with families in need. His heart for collective solutions is a true gift to this work.
Ben Sand, Executive Director of The Contingent, whose humility and innovative spirit shone through as we shared stories of highs and lows of being involved in foster care over dinner.
Charlee Tchividjian, Director of Every Mother's Advocate (EMA), whose story and calling mirror my own in so many ways. I look forward to seeing how God uses our shared passions for Kingdom impact.
Dan Vogel, Director of the Flourish Fund, whose connections to Notre Dame and ongoing work in praxis have opened exciting new doors for collaboration.
Andy Cook, Executive Director of Promise686, whose vision for church-led solutions in foster care resonated deeply. I know our paths will cross again.
Jeff Chaisson and his wife, founders of Salty Ministries, who shared their commitment to leading with Christ at the center of everything they do.
And of course, I couldn’t forget Jason Johnson, a voice of wisdom and encouragement in the foster care space for many years. His advocacy for birth families and his timely truths always leave a lasting impact.
A powerful message stood out from Jared Brown: Foster care is not the answer. It is both a symptom of broken systems and an emergency response, but not the ultimate solution.
While foster parents and caseworkers are heroes who turn their lives upside down for the sake of others, the true solution lies in Collective Kingdom Impact—a united effort from churches, organizations, and individuals to love and support our neighbors, no matter how difficult it may be.
I leave this gathering deeply moved, inspired, and more committed than ever to being part of this collective effort to bring transformation and hope to families and children. Together, we can make the Kingdom’s impact felt in the hardest places.
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