The FAQs

A lot is changing!

Whether you have been following us for years, or just begun, thanks for following the news of our upcoming ministry transition. We've shared our news with many online, and dozens through face to face conversations. While we prepare to land in Ohio this fall, and Jared to begin work in the home office of Back2Back Ministries, we want to clearly explain and catch you up on the current details. So we thought this Frequently Asked Questions post may be helpful.

Please skim through our Qs and As below and send back any comments to things we may have missed. We are seeking partnerships to link orphaned children with you. So to honor both them and you we want to communicate "the vision and the vehicle" we are taking to reach this new venture.

Jump to the topics from here:
What is the plan and when is the move?
What is Back2Back Ministries?
Why do staff raise support?
How does a role in Information Technology affect the lives of orphaned children?
Why a mission for orphaned children?
What are ways to get involved?

What is the plan and when is the move?

At the end of June, Jared accepted the role of IT Director for Back2Back Ministries. This means a ministry transition from World Impact and The Oaks this fall when the Meidal family moves to Ohio.

What is Back2Back Ministries?

For the last 20 years Back2Back has connected local care of orphaned children to models of healthy, holistic development. They do this “by meeting their spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social needs that they might overcome their life circumstances and break free from the cycle of generational poverty. We desire for every orphan and vulnerable child to have the opportunity for success through care for today and hope for tomorrow.” (see more details here)

Back2Back has an office near Cincinnati, Ohio which supports the international efforts in Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Nigeria and India. Their 250+ staff serve in various capacities to see this mission fulfilled, and to bring others into partnership with orphaned and vulnerable children.

Why do staff raise support?

That’s right, staff raise 100% financial support. All U.S. staff engage in this as an opportunity to:

• Allow for all designated giving to orphan care go directly there. This ensures staff salaries are not deducted from donations received for sponsorships or projects.
• Raising partners with individuals and churches is an honor for us. We recognize this as a clear opportunity to engage others in a mission which they feel passionate and desire to invest in.

This model of support raising can be compared to ways church staff receive tithes, companies receive revenue through customers, and the way roads are repaired through taxes. All those are similar, yet a little different than what Jared is doing. First, it is not a coerced or compulsive collection of money. Second it is not to maintain an infrastructure, but to further a frontier mission for others in desperate situations. We see financial giving as a logical way to exercise a passion or conviction, in ways that one cannot affect on one’s own. It is partnership, because support raising brings others which would not otherwise be engaged at the same level to contribute to the mission.

Partnership with others matters; we are convinced of this. And we desire for you to join us in regular prayer for the 163 million orphaned children around the world to have “a hope and future.” They  will recognize this through the truth of the gospel demonstrated and proclaimed through holistic care. Our efforts are only a part; we trust God will raise others with compassionate hearts for this mission--and we look forward to encouraging one another in this!

Finally, your financial investments matter, and we invite you into regular contribution of your resources if you discern this to be a mission or call on your life. We need to connect with many additional partners before we are at 100%, and the date our our move and Jared's start-date will depend upon this development.

How does a role in Information Technology affect the lives of orphaned children?

Jared had an incredible time at the beginning of June when he attended one of Back2Back's ministry sites in Mexico. Just witnessing the on-going care and personal, gospel-centered ministry they facilitated was inspiring. But our team was also plunged into the midst of this. We were partnered with young guys from a group home which opened lots of relational investment time with them in which we could affirm their value and walk through the days with them. To get those invaluable moments of connection required coaching, technology platforms, training, and logistics behind the scenes for months before we arrived. The planning, strategies and financial systems of this ministry are also built upon technology and require stewardship— these would be elements Jared would support and oversee. Mature ministry requires standards and infrastructures to allow for front-line ministry, to expand, and to last.

The world functions through technology; it links us and allows for global partnerships. Having served for the last twelve years in ministry, the Meidals recognize the necessity of efficient administration for the “work on the ground” to progress. Discussing with Back2Back leadership who have spent years overseas, Jared has heard the same need. One veteran staff member shared, “I learned that the experiences and opportunities in ministry was facilitated by I.T.” Jared is excited to keep those experiences and opportunities going. This dedication is necessary now because the expansion the ministry is undergoing, the partnerships which are increasing, and the global opportunities to address the core mission of 163 million orphaned children.

This topic will be resumed in a follow-up post in the next month.

Why a mission for orphaned children?

The bottom line is that the good news is for everyone, orphans are included here. But why orphans, and what exactly is an orphan? Why not just share the gospel and disciple?

A common definition of an orphan is anyone between the ages of 0 and 17 who has lost at least one parent. This is a specific and vulnerable population group from which a majority statistically plunge into the black market, homelessness, trafficking or prostitution. Many are underdeveloped emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially. Most do not recognize the value they are in God's eyes, but rather inherit low-esteem from their community's treatment of them.

All the issues above which are inherited by orphans are also barriers to basic reception of the gospel. Yet, the Bible is filled with promises and truths of hope for orphans. It is the proclamation and demonstration of this gospel in Jesus' name and the power of the Holy Spirit, which transforms lives. The opportunity is there, through God's compassionate heart, and the working of his body, the church, in the world we believe he expects us to live out His character through our lives and activities.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
declares the LORD.  (Jeremiah 22:16)

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

Also see these verses: (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 10:14; Psalm 68:5-6, Isaiah 58:5-12)

A staff member with Back2Back, Jayne Schooler, states, "The presence of one loving adult, makes the difference for a child." This topic will also be resumed in a follow-up post in the next month.

What are ways to get involved?

1. You can engage in financial partnership with Back2Back through supporting Jared's position. Begin exploring this by clicking here.
2. Child sponsorship, or general giving to the Care Fund, are ways you can directly impact orphaned and vulnerable children. You will have an opportunity to communicate and receive updates from them, and even opportunity to visit them. Back2Back partners with local orphanages, communities, single mothers, churches, and pastors to provide for the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. Back2Back has missionaries at each of the sites we partner with for direct oversight of the child’s care, to ensure their needs are met.
   back2back.org/sponsor/back2back.org/care-fund/ 
3. It can feel like a challenge to consider what orphan care and compassionate living looks like locally to your own community-- but that's where it started. Look into local agencies and ministries which can give education and volunteer opportunities! What is the foster care population in your county or region? What are the poverty levels around you, and how have they shifted?
   As a family you could work through this study material: back2back.org/learntogether
4. You can arrange a team or ask your church to partner with Back2Back through a short-term trip. Find out how here: back2back.org/missiontrips/

If you want to learn more of the situation of orphaned children in the world, and what sustainable care looks like for them, partnering with Back2Back is one of the best ways we have seen to do so. Contact us for more information and resources to get started.