In September 2026, World Without Orphans joined more than 1,200 leaders from 96 nations at the YWAM Global Leadership Gathering in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was a unique opportunity to share the WWO vision with YWAM leaders from around the world and to explore how churches, ministries, families, and communities can work together so that every child grows up in a safe, loving family. 

Across workshops and a plenary session focused on God's heart for children and families, the WWO team shared the vision that drives our movement: every child growing up in a safe, loving family and community, knowing their Heavenly Father, and reaching their God-given potential. 

A Calling for the Whole Body of Christ

The sessions kept returning to one conviction: helping vulnerable children thrive is not the responsibility of a few people or organizations. It is a calling for the whole Body of Christ to strengthen families, prevent unnecessary separation, support family-based care, and help children flourish. 

That conviction landed most powerfully through Faby Ruesga, a YWAM leader from Hong Kong and WWO East Asia Ambassador. Drawing from her family's fostering journey, she challenged leaders to remain close to the people they serve:

"We speak in rooms of power because we've first listened in rooms of pain. The moment we forget 'the least' we lose the moral authority to influence the high places. That's why humility matters so deeply."

Her testimony reframed the conversation. Caring for vulnerable children is not primarily about programs or strategies. It begins with relationships, presence, and a willingness to walk alongside children and families in their realities.

YWAM's Unique Position

The response from YWAM leaders was encouraging. Many stayed to discuss practical next steps, collaboration opportunities, and ways to connect with existing WWO movements and learning communities in their countries. Others explored resources such as the WWO Roadmap, Orphan Sunday, and learning communities designed to help leaders move from vision to action and from individual efforts to collaborative impact.

With Orphan Sunday approaching on November 8, many leaders were encouraged by the opportunity to bring churches, ministries, and communities together around prayer and practical care for children and families. 

One of the strongest themes to emerge was YWAM's unique potential to mobilize local collaboration. With teams, training centers, and long-term ministry relationships in communities around the world, YWAM is uniquely positioned to bring churches, ministries, local leaders, and families together around the needs of vulnerable children.

The conversations in Chiang Mai were only the beginning. Across nations and ministries, leaders discovered a shared desire to strengthen families, engage churches, and work together for vulnerable children. The gathering created new opportunities to learn, collaborate, and imagine what becomes possible when the Body of Christ responds together.

Let's Dream Together

Throughout the gathering, leaders were encouraged to dream again. At World Without Orphans, we believe the best dreams are the ones we pursue together: children growing up in safe, loving families; churches, ministries, and communities working side by side to strengthen families and prevent unnecessary separation; and children knowing their Heavenly Father and reaching their God-given potential.

If this dream is yours too, take the next faithful step with us:

• Pray for leaders who carried this vision home to 96 nations.
• Connect with a WWO learning community in your region.
• Share Orphan Sunday with churches and ministry leaders in your community.
• Support the work of strengthening families and caring for vulnerable children.

Let's dream together. And then, together, let's take the next faithful step toward making that vision a reality.