Orphan Sunday 2025: Together for Every Child

October 21, 2025 ohidah

Churches around the world are preparing to observe Orphan Sunday on November 9, 2025. This global movement invites Christians to respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through awareness, prayer, and action. The event is organized by World Without Orphans, also known as WWO.

This year’s theme is “Together for Children and Strong Families,” based on Psalm 68 verse 6, which says, “God sets the lonely in families.”

A Global Call to Support Orphans and Families

Congregations of all sizes are invited to participate. From small rural churches to large city ministries, believers are encouraged to speak up for children in need of love, care, and lasting family connections.

According to UNICEF, more than 140 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents. These children are often referred to as single orphans, having lost one parent, or double orphans, having lost both.

Each day, around 5760 children lose their parents due to war, poverty, disease, or natural disasters.

The Risks Facing Orphaned Children

Orphaned children face many serious challenges, including:

Limited access to education and healthcare
Emotional and psychological trauma
Increased risk of exploitation and abuse

Many grow up in institutions and eventually age out of care without being placed into permanent families. This leaves them without the stability and support they need for adult life.

The Church’s Role in Caring for Orphans

World Without Orphans points to the biblical responsibility of the Church to care for vulnerable children. As written in James 1 verse 27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

Churches are encouraged to reflect God’s heart by creating ministries and programs that support children and strengthen families.

Tools to Help Churches Get Involved

To support local congregations, World Without Orphans offers a free Orphan Sunday Toolkit. It includes:

Prayer guides
Devotionals
Videos and social media resources
Activity suggestions for all age groups

These tools are designed to help churches host meaningful events and take ongoing action.

A Movement That Began in Zambia

Orphan Sunday began in Zambia in 2002 when a local church gave sacrificially to help orphans in its community. Despite limited resources, their act of generosity sparked a movement that now reaches churches on every continent.

A Message from WWO Leadership

Orphan Sunday is not just about one day on the calendar, said Karmen Friesen, Principal Coordinator for World Without Orphans. It is a call for the global Church to act boldly for orphans and vulnerable families, offering hope, love, and lasting change.

Through Orphan Sunday, we invite every church, ministry, and believer to join this worldwide movement of prayer, compassion, and action, Friesen added. Together, we can ensure that every child grows up in a safe and loving family.

Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi

Image Credit: Life songs of orphan