Renew Retreat for Foster and Adoptive Parents

MAY 12-14, 2022 | Summit Church-Apex Campus | Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

RENEWAL FOR FOSTER & ADOPTIVE PARENTS

MAY 12-14, 2022

Summit Church – Apex Campus

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. SEE YOU AT RENEW

The life of parents is more stressful than ever. Come be renewed so you can go the distance with grace!

THIS YEAR’S THEME:

“GRACE FOR THE JOURNEY”

Take time away for you! You need this.

Why Attend?

is for foster, step, kinship & adoptive parents

This is your opportunity to come be renewed from raising children! Our incredible team of seasoned moms and dads will make you laugh, cry, grow and find rest for the journey.

This is a retreat, combining testimonies, inspirational teaching, shared experiences, and recreation! All designed to leave you feeling renewed!

We will have a variety of activities to feed your soul and time with just moms and just dads to go deeper.

JOIN US!

Meet Your Renew Team!

Jason Johnson

Man’s Man on a Mission

Jason and his wife Emily have four daughters and a long story…and anyone who’s been in the world of foster care and adoption can relate to that…it’s a long story! :). He is the author of many books, including of ReFraming Foster Care, Everyone Can Do Something, ALL IN Orphan Care , Effectively Engaging Churches and he blogs regularly at Jason Johnson | Blog. As Director of Church Mobilization and Engagement with Christian Alliance for Orphans, he frequently teaches at churches & conferences around his life passion: equipping the church for foster care.

Dr. Sharen Ford

Mother of the Movement

Sharen is the director for Focus on the Family’s foster care and adoption program, raising awareness of the need for foster and adoptive families. She previously spent thirty years in Child Welfare Services for the State of Colorado and has been honored for her tenacious advocacy on behalf of foster children by numerous organizations including the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute. She loves spending time with her daughter and watching her grandson play football. She is a highly sought after speaker and expert on the child welfare system in the U.S.

Tony Mitchell

Adoptee and Success Story

Tony is an adult adoptee with an amazing and inspiring story. He was placed in foster care as newborn and at the age of two years, adopted into a caring family. He went on to be the first and only person in his family to graduate from college, with honors, and navigate a successful 30-year career serving in C-level capacities at major corporations. He now serves as a speaker, and strategic advisor, and as the COO of Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). With his wife Venita, he is on the faculty of FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® marriage conference. Tony and Venita have two adult children and reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

Debbie Ausburn

Lawyer Lady

Parenting other people’s children has been the greatest challenge and the greatest joy of Debbie’s life. A social worker turned lawyer, Debbie advises youth-serving organizations such as child care centers, Christian schools, and social service organizations. Her most important roles have been foster parent and stepparent, and she has managed to collect 7 children and 10 grandchildren. Along the way, her foster children, stepchildren, and grandchildren have taught her the life lessons that are the core of speaking and writing — lessons that she wishes she could have learned from a parenting manual rather than trial and error. She is the author of “Raising Other People’s Children: What Foster Parenting Taught Me about Bringing Together a Blended Family.”

Chris and Alicia Johnson

The Couple That Does It All

If you need marriage advice, this is the place! Chris and Alicia are parents to 10 children, 7 of whom were adopted from foster care. They have also served as foster parents to more than 40 children. The Johnson’s have over 24 years in pastoral ministry speaking at local, state, and national conferences, churches, and community gatherings, sharing their family’s story and challenging others to answer the gospel call to care for vulnerable children and families. Chris is the National Director of Church Partnerships at Lifeline Children’s Services and they both previously served as a Special Advisors to the Governor and First Lady of Kentucky regarding Foster Care.

Mike and Meaghan Langston

Jugglers of Marriage, Kids and Careers

Wondering how to navigate the stress of foster care when you are newly married? Ask these two! Mike and Meaghan were married in 2015 and began serving as foster parents just a couple of years later, receiving two sibling brothers. And they are now also expecting their first biological child. Mike is a firefighter and Meaghan is a life coach for working women. Meaghan is one of the founders of The Village Durham, serving families in crisis to keep families together. Mike and Meaghan are passionate about humanizing birth families impacted by the foster care system.

Kyle & Bailey Wilkinson

Hearts for Worship and Adoption

Hearts of worship are what Kyle and Bailey are all about. They have been leading worship and serving the Lord together for 14 years. Kyle is a pastor at The Summit Church and Bailey is a Counselor at Cornerstone Counseling and Wellness in Raleigh, NC. Kyle and Bailey have been married for nearly ten years and have two daughters, Kinsley and Cara. Kinsley was adopted domestically in 2018. They live in Durham, NC.

Sonia Martin

Queen of Calm

Sonia is the mother of 7 teenage boys, 3 who were adopted internationally, and she is a foster parent for Montgomery County, Alabama where she spends most of her time cooking and cleaning baseball infield dirt off the kitchen floor. As Director in the Central Alabama area for Lifeline Children’s Services, she engages the church in birth mother support and services, and speaking to parents, professionals, judges, attorneys, & Guardian Ad Litem at various conferences. Her three simple joys are Jesus, eggplant parmesan & orphan care.

Ashley Atento

The Fruit of An Adopted Family

Growing up with an adopted little brother, Ashlie has always had a heart for orphans and hopes to adopt in her future family. Her heart for adoption has already launched her into several roles supporting projects that advocate for foster and adoptive families. Ashlie is a recent graduate of NC State University and works as an Assistant Planner for Belk’s corporate office.

Johnston Moore

Master of Ceremonies

Johnston has been married to Terri since 1988, and together they have seven children (5 girls, 2 boys), all of whom were adopted through the Los Angeles County foster care system. John enjoyed a career in Hollywood in film & TV production before becoming fully immersed in adoption and foster care ministry. He is a freelance writer and consultant, and speaks regularly including at Focus on the Family’s Wait No More. Currently, John, Terri, and their youngest three daughters live in the Richmond, Virginia area, where they are members of Redeemer Anglican Church.

Jacqui Jackson

Strategic Prayer warrior

Jacqui is a former foster child, international adoptee, and a mother to adoptive and biological children alike. She is a passionate advocate for the right of every child to have a safe family and executes this calling by speaking within the church on the ways we can all impact the plight of vulnerable children. As CEO of Ignite Hope, she is the author of numerous devotions on the YouVersion and iDisciple platforms as well as the book, “God’s Got This: A Strategic Prayer Guide for Your Adoption Journey.”

Trent Tayor

Overcomer & Achiever

Trent experienced sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic violence during the first half of his childhood. He traveled a horrific journey through the foster care system until he was adopted at the age of 9. After healing from his traumatic past, Trent began sharing his inspiring story of triumph to provide hope and healing for others. Trent is the founder of “Watch Me Rise,” a ministry to foster and adopted children. He has mentored hundreds of children, is an accomplished public speaker and has been recognized for his efforts through various awards. He is the author of two books.

Marshall Forrest

Loving adopted siblings

Marshall is 15 years old and is a high school student at Trinity Academy of Raleigh. He has a 17 year old biological sister and 2 younger brothers, ages 11 and 7, who were both adopted internationally. He loves soccer, tennis, and theater. And he loves being a big brother.

Jenny Hobgood

Sister and friend

Jenny grew up in a family of adopted siblings, with a brother and sister from Korea. Today she teaches music in Granville County Schools and enjoys working with children. She has the long view of the impact of adoption and how it can influence a family over a lifetime.

Jodi Jackson Tucker & Jerry Tucker

Jodi and Jerry have a family that has been blended in all possible ways. Presently, nine young adults call them Mom and Pop, along with a growing army of spouses and grandchildren. Their family includes bio kids as well as domestic and international adoptees.

Jodi is the author of two books, including Second Mother: A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Mothers. She is the founder of Pharaoh’s Daughters, a ministry for women who serve vulnerable children. Jerry is the CEO of Treasured Property, a real estate company that gives back to help every child have a home.

Linda Stone

Prayer Team Leader

Linda believes that prayer is the most important thing we can do and it is the greatest weapon we have. She has served in leadership roles for National Day of Prayer, Promisekeepers, Men at the Cross and others, including a ministry for at-risk, fatherless teens of Chicago. She is also a volunteer to teens at Western Guilford High School. She leads several prayer groups including for Prodigals, Youth and those battling thoughts of suicide.

Beth Templeton

Prayer Team Leader

Beth has been married to her husband Stephen for thirty-five years. She has eight children, three by birth, four by international adoption, and they are raising their five year old granddaughter. Through their ministry, Hope at Home, they come alongside adoptive and foster parents to encourage and bring hope in the long haul journey of adoption and fostering.

Questions + Answers

What is the schedule?

THURSDAY

6:30 pm Doors Open, Exhibits and Vendors, Coffee Bar

7:00 to 8:30 pm Plenary Session, Worship

“Grace for the Long Haul” Tony Mitchell

FRIDAY

8:30 am Doors Open, Exhibits and Vendors, Coffee Bar

9:00 – 10:00 am Plenary Session

Grace for Birth Family Relationships, Dr. Sharen Ford

Grace for Overcoming the Past, Trent Taylor

10:00 – 10:15 am Break: Prayer Room and Exhibits open

10:15 – 12:00 am Workshops:

Grace for Challenging Behavior, Sonia Martin

Grace for Your Marriage, Chris & Alicia Johnson, Meaghan & Mike Langston

Grace for Single and Step Parenting, Debbie Ausburn

12:00 to 1:30 pm Lunch Break: Food trucks or off-site lunch on your own

1:30 to 2:15 pm Workshop: Grace for Siblings, Ashlie Atento, Marshall Forrest

2:30 to 4:30 pm Recreation Time!

Moms Manis, Massage and Meditation

Dad’s Golf Outing – Knights Play Golf Center

4:30 to 7:00 Dinner Break: dinner out on your own

7:00 to 9:00 A Special Night of Prayer, Worship, and Inspiration

Coffee, dessert, and a special surprise

Kyle & Bailey Wilkinson

Jacqui Jackson

SATURDAY

8:30 am Doors Open, Coffee Bar

9:00 to 10:00 am Date With God (please leave phones and bags in lobby)

10:00 to 10:30 am Break: Prayer Room Open

10:30 to 11:30 am Plenary Session & Sending

Grace for the Journey, Jason Johnson

Can I bring my children?

The purpose of this retreat is for you to have time away from parenting to be renewed. We will not have childcare and we cannot accommodate babies or children. We are praying for an abundance of loving childcare for your family!

Is Renew faith-based?

The Renew team are followers of Christ who have found their faith to be essential in thriving as foster and adoptive parents. We welcome parents of all faiths to join us.

Will there be discounted lodging?

YES! We have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate at this Hampton Inn. Be sure to make your reservations now as this rate expires April 12th.

What is the attire?

Attire is comfortable and casual. On Friday we have some special activities in the afternoon. (art therapy for the moms and active outing for the dads).

How will meals work?

We will have coffee and snacks throughout the retreat. We plan to have a Food Truck Rodeo during lunch on Friday! Dinner will be on your own on Friday night…plan to take some time to have fun out on the town.

What’s the plan for COVID precautions?

The host church is following CDC guidelines for gatherings and sanitation. Mask wearing is optional.

How’s the weather?

May is absolutely gorgeous in North Carolina…the most beautiful month of the year. Temperatures typically in the 70’s.

Will Certificates be Provided?

We will provide a certificate of training for all attendees. The certificate will say that the attendee completed 12 hours of training related to trauma, attachment, parenting issues in foster care and adoption. It will be sent by email after completion of the event.