Training for Parents
2026 TRAINING
Jedd Medefind
Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide.
This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them. Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who've known great hurt. Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.
Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.
Rachel Medefind
Rachel is Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans. She has a background in physical therapy and holds a Master's in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King's College London, specializing in early adversity.
Rachel has served on multiple boards supporting vulnerable children and helped found Tyndale Christian School in Arlington, Virginia. She advises families facing complex parenting challenges and has invested deeply in education and youth formation. Her recent book, When There Is Crisis:
A Handbook for Christian Foster & Adoptive Families Facing Serious Struggle, offers biblically grounded principles and research-based, practical guidance to support families walking through seasons of crisis. Rachel and her husband, Jedd, have welcomed children through birth, adoption and foster care.
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSIONS
You will have the opportunity to choose two breakout sessions to attend. Each session is 1 hour long. You will be able to review and choose the sessions that you would like to attend before camp. Use the link below to read more about the sessions that will be offered.
SUNDAY CONNECTION GROUPS
Auburn Foster Parents - April Martin
Birmingham Foster Parents - Cathy McDaniel
Decatur Foster Parents - Alex Pool
Dothan Foster Parents - Alaina Mathis / Nakisha Williams
Huntsville Foster Parents - Rhonda Glass
Mobile Foster Parents - Brooke Meyers / Heather Fore
Montgomery Foster Parents - Elizabeth Norris
Oxford Foster Parents - Elise Vincent
Tuscaloosa Foster Parents - Alexandra Phillips