It’s official!

For the first time ever, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular will rock the West Coast – kicking off November 3rd in Denver, Colorado.

This is BIG news for West Coast fans of popular Christian music artists, including Kutless, Newsboys and [...]]]>

NewSong visiting children in care at BSSK, a Holt partner organization in India.

It’s official!

For the first time ever, the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular will rock the West Coast – kicking off November 3^rd in Denver, Colorado.

This is BIG news for West Coast fans of popular Christian music artists, including Kutless, Newsboys and tour host NewSong…

It’s even BIGGER news for children!

For six years running, Holt has teamed up with NewSong to raise awareness of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children overseas. Every year, in jam-packed stadiums from Georgia to Ohio, NewSong artists inspire thousands of people to sponsor a child in need.

Already in 2011, Winter Jam has beat all records – recruiting more Holt sponsors, and changing more children’s lives than ever before!  Thousands more children now have food to eat, clothes to wear, a safe place to sleep and a loving person to care for them.

And NOW, this fall, Winter Jam 2011 will continue out West – rocking the hearts and minds of Christian music fans in 11 more cities, from Ontario, California to Tacoma, Washington!

At Holt, we can’t stop thinking about what this means for children.  This could be huge.

But first, we need your help. We need 100 volunteers to sign up sponsors at each concert.  Volunteers are critical; they provide the vital link between children and potential sponsors.  Turnout on the first leg of the tour was amazing!  Over 4,700 dedicated, compassionate people volunteered their time and energy…

It’s time, West Coasters, to show Winter Jam what we’re made of!  Volunteering is easy and fun, comes with FREE entry and a FREE CD, and takes 4-5 hours of your time – all to change a child’s life forever.

Tell your family!  Tell your friends!  Rock the House with Holt and NewSong this fall, at Winter Jam 2011!

For more information and to volunteer, visit us online at www.holtinternational.org/winterjam or email suep@holtinternational.org.

Volunteering is easy and fun!

Couldn’t make it [...]]]>

Winter Jam special guest speaker Tony Nolan traveled to China with Holt in 2009. At Winter Jam, Nolan shares his story and calls on the audience to " care for orphans and widows in their distress. (James 1:27)" Holt child sponsorship is one way you can do this! http://www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship

Couldn’t make it to a Winter Jam concert near you?  Grand Canyon University presents Winter Jam 2011 live!  Join hearitfirst.com tomorrow, March 19th at 6 pm EST (3 pm PST) to watch a live Webcast of a Winter Jam concert.  Experience Winter Jam from your home!  Listen to artists like Francesca Battistelli, the David Crowder Band and the Newsboys….and hear NewSong and inspirational speaker Tony Nolan speak about Holt International’s child sponsorship program and the opportunity to provide food, clothing, shelter and warmth to a child in need.

Click here to register for the Webcast of Winter Jam 2011 live from North Carolina’s Crown Coliseum!

Find out more about Winter Jam.  Click here to read a blog from Winter Jam 2011 in Lexington.

Change a child’s Life Forever!…..sponsor a child in need today!  Click here to choose a country and a child to sponsor.

By Brian Campbell, Creative Services Director

Lexington, Kentucky– It’s hours before the first act and throngs of people of all ages— in a line five people wide — wrap around a [...]]]> With Christian music group NewSong leading the way, volunteers at Holt’s Winter Jam concert make tremendous strides in helping children in need through child sponsorship

By Brian Campbell, Creative Services Director

Lexington, Kentucky– It’s hours before the first act and throngs of people of all ages— in a line five people wide — wrap around a city block. When I look outside 50 minutes prior to the pre-show, the crowd is wrapped around two city blocks, snaking through a public parking lot next to the Rupp Arena in Lexington.

volunteers help concertgoers sign up to sponsor a child in need. Children will receive warmth, security, nutrition and safety because of the people who committed to sponsoring!

Inside the arena, with 20 minutes to showtime, youth pastors from hundreds of miles away are meeting for the youth leadership reception. Members of groups like the David Crowder Band and Newsboys come and pray and encourage youth leaders and their ministries. They are all so full of energy and impassioned for the youth ministry of Lexington and surrounding areas. Tony Nolan wraps up the reception. He calls on youth leaders to step up and lead by example. To walk the talk. Tony calls on them to sponsor a child through Holt International. He says that this is a way for the leaders to live what they preach. “Step up and help the widows and orphans in their time of plight,” Tony says. “We are called to this.  Now let’s show our youth how it’s done.”

As the youth pastors rush the Holt International table, which is stacked with hundreds of sponsorship picture folders, a rumble comes from the main auditorium. The countdown to the main event has started. NewSong takes the stage. Fifteen thousand fans come to their feet, singing and praising God at the top of their lungs. Dan Lindsay, Holt International’s tour representative, hangs back during the NewSong set to count the new sponsorships from the youth pastor reception. Nearly ten percent of those who attended the reception made a commitment to sponsor a child. He smiles and indicates that the evening is starting out well.

Moving backstage, NewSong members come down from their set and grab waters, sharing smiles and laughing about their performance. Eddie Carswell quickly turns on his heel to pop back out onstage and introduce the next act. Returning backstage, Eddie turns to Dan and asks him about the number of volunteers. “Over a hundred showed up,” Dan replies. A big grin flashes across his face. “With all those volunteers tonight, it should be a good show for Holt and for the children. We couldn’t make this work without the volunteers.”

Intermission arrives. Eddie comes on stage and shares about the mission of Holt International, the importance of child sponsorship, and how it can change a child’s life. In an arena of fifteen thousand, the audience is nearly silent and listens to every word. When Eddie finishes and releases the audience, a reverberating roar is heard as masses of people move to the Holt table, where hundreds of child sponsorship folders wait. Dozens of volunteers move around the tables, helping folks fill out forms. Some volunteers bring child folders to the people still sitting in the arena.

A younger couple looks over the information of the little girl they just sponsored. When asked about their decision to sponsor this particular little girl, the woman’s lower lip starts to quiver. “I’m a new mother of a 6-month-old little girl,” she says, as she stares at the little image on the page. “And this little girl is close to my daughter’s age. I love being a mommy, and I think every child should have a mommy. This is what I can do today to help her get closer to having a mommy.” She looks up from the picture with tears and a smile from ear to ear. “That’s why we sponsored her.”

With parents in tow, groups of young people pool their funds to sponsor children. Some pick up the first picture folder they see, others look for particular details

A young couple holds the photo and information of their sponsored child. " I love being a mommy and I think every child should have a mommy," says the woman holding the picture. "This is what I can do today to help her get closer to having a mommy."

that speak to them. A birthday, a country, a boy or a girl. These are more than just pictures. The people coming to the table see the children’s stories and connect with them.

The 20-minute intermission comes to an end and the music resumes. Dan gathers all the new sponsorships from the main floor and three other locations. Soon all the volunteers from the audience find Dan and turn in all the sponsorships they gathered from the audience. Backstage Dan counts and organizes the new sign-ups. Russ Lee of NewSong stops by and comments about the stack surrounding Dan. “This wouldn’t be possible without those volunteers tonight,” says Russ. Just then, Dan gets a phone call from Eddie. “How many do we have tonight?” asks Eddie. Four hundred and sixty-six is the total for the night. “Praise God!” says Eddie in a loud voice that can be heard from the phone.

The concert comes to an end. Brooms sweep confetti, chairs clank together as crews pack it all in. Dan carefully packs up the remaining picture folders, and Holt volunteers fold tables. “Nashville will be another large show,” Dan says, straightening his back.

Around 2 in the morning, Dan will climb on the bus and drive through the night to Nashville. The tables will be set up, the volunteers will come and children’s lives will be changed through child sponsorship once again.

Thank you to all the volunteers and new child sponsors, you are making a real difference in the lives of children!

Winter Jam ends in three weeks!  We still need volunteers to man the Holt tables and help sign up sponsors!  Click here to find a concert near you!

How a simple idea changed the life of a child in Holt’s care

Remember this story? In the summer of 2009, Tony Nolan, special guest speaker for Winter Jam, visited Holt’s care centers in China while traveling to meet his daughter, Fei Fei. On his journey, he [...]]]>

How a simple idea changed the life of a child in Holt’s care

Remember this story? In the summer of 2009, Tony Nolan, special guest speaker for Winter Jam, visited Holt’s care centers in China while traveling to meet his daughter, Fei Fei. On his journey, he met another very special little girl named *Qui. Born without feet, Qui would experience great pain while walking. Observing Qui’s struggles, a caretaker took initiative and created a simple device that helped Qui walk with comfort and ease. Tony Nolan and the rest of the team were touched by the caretaker’s love and consideration for the little girl.

“I am amazed at how much passion Holt staff has for these children, and how they demonstrate that passion in little and big ways,” said Tony. “To have someone at Nanchang who would have the creativity, desire and motivation to do something above and beyond the call of duty is just awesome!” ….Read about Qui and her loving caretaker in the story, “Little Steps.”

Today, 2 years later, Qui, now Lilah, is home with her parents, Anne and Mike, and her big brother, Luke.

“Where Luke came quietly into our home,” says Anne and Mike, “Lilah came in like a hurricane! She is high energy, boisterous, and terribly funny…we’re not sure Lilah believes she has a disability. No feet. No problem.” ….read about Lilah’s journey home, click here

Tony Nolan is currently on tour with Winter Jam 2011.  Click here for a concert near you, and for ways to help!  Holt still needs volunteers to help at each concert!

Click here to learn more about Holt’s China Child of Promise option for children with manageable, treatable conditions….

*Name changed

Kim, a Holt adoptee, a her husband, Joe, volunteered at Winter Jam 2011 in Cleveland. Of her experience Kim says, "It was an amazing [...]]]> As an adoptee, I felt like Winter Jam would be the perfect way to share my love for Holt, and my desire to help the agency I was adopted

Kim, a Holt adoptee, a her husband, Joe, volunteered at Winter Jam 2011 in Cleveland. Of her experience Kim says, "It was an amazing feeling to know that I was helping children in need."

Our best wishes go out to all the wonderful people who chose to sponsor a child.

We enjoyed a fantastic concert while making a difference in children’s lives! Joe and I were Winter Jam volunteer newbies. We met other volunteers and enjoyed their company, heard great music and listened to inspirational speakers. As we were leaving, the volunteers said to us: “See you next year!” We sure will! We will make volunteering at Winter Jam a family tradition! – Kim Domino, Winter Jam volunteer

“Last Saturday, we had the privilege of working at the Holt sponsorship table before, during and after the concert. Since this was only the second concert of 2011, there were a lot of children available for sponsorship. When I saw the children’s pictures on the table, I became overwhelmed thinking about the many little ones out there who were just waiting for someone to help them. Throughout the night, a lot of people came and picked up a child’s card. Some of them decided to sponsor a child, and some didn’t. Seeing vulnerable children’s cards being placed back down on the table was very difficult to watch. I would love to volunteer again, and I hope and pray that each concert brings people – and lots of them – who are willing to sponsor a child in desperate need of help.”–Kathy Brown, volunteer at the Winter Jam concert in Charleston, West Virginia

Anastacia (right) volunteers at Winter Jam 2011 in DeKalb, Illinois. Find a concert near you! Go to http://www.holtinternational.org/winterjam.

Holt, thank you so much for the opportunity to volunteer and be a voice for children! At Winter Jam 2010, I heard the sponsorship message and personally took caring for children in need to a whole new level by becoming a sponsor myself! This year, I was able to see others make that same transformation through hearing the message and taking to heart what each and every person can do to make a difference in the life of a child! Caring for orphans and widows in their distress is God’s plan for us. Through sponsorship, making a difference is so easy! Thank you to Holt and Winter Jam for an awesome evening of praise and excitement! Being a Holt volunteer was a blast, and I’m looking forward to signing up again next year! –Anastacia Singleton, Holt sponsor and Winter Jam volunteer

In 2010, over 10,000 Winter Jam concertgoers said “YES” to sponsoring a child! This year, we’ve set our sights higher…Help us reach 15,000 sponsors – 300 at each concert! It’s easy and fun! Check to see if Winter Jam is coming to your town and sign up online. Email suep@holtinternational.org for more information. Rock the House with Holt and NewSong at Winter Jam 2011 – Raise Your Voice for Children!

Click here for more information…

By Brian Campbell, creative services director

Bangalore, India – Traditional music blasts out of a makeshift shrine to Ganesha – a deity worshiped in the Hindu religion. It’s festival season here in India and people from all over have traveled to Bangalore to be with family and [...]]]> Give a Gift of Hope to a girl in India

By Brian Campbell, creative services director

Bangalore, India – Traditional music blasts out of a makeshift shrine to Ganesha – a deity worshiped in the Hindu religion. It’s festival season here in India and people from all over have traveled to Bangalore to be with family and participate in the celebration. Families have scraped together their meager wages and purchased idols and treats for the elephant god – the Hindu god of success.

On this particular day, however, individuals moved by a different God step out of their cars and follow VCT Director Mary Paul into the depths of the Bangalore slum.

The guys from NewSong and a group of school-aged girls in Vathsalya Charitable Trust’s (VCT) child sponsorship program – a program that keeps young girls in school when families cannot afford their education –make their way through the rough alleys. Today, these girls will invite NewSong into their humble homes.

One girl, *Seveta, momentarily pauses to observe the half-clothed children running through the alley and women washing clothes in pans filled with dingy water. The alley smells of waste.

“I’m ashamed to show these men my home,” says Seveta to Mary Paul. “It’s much too small for them.” Mary Paul just smiles and encourages Seveta to carry on, but only if she is comfortable. Seveta rocks her head from side to side – a common gesture of agreement in India.

Arriving at her home, Seveta disappears through the small, dark doorway and, without hesitation, Eddie, Russ, Billy and Matt follow Mary Paul inside. Measuring about 7 feet by 10 feet, this tiny, one-room home – shared by Seveta, her parents and sister – is tidy and clean.

Seveta’s sister attends college, but her parents could not afford Seveta’s education. Her father suffered from alcoholism, and her mother became the principle provider for the family. With Holt’s help, VCT provided Seveta with books, paper, a uniform and other supplies needed to attend school.

The guys are impressed with Seveta’s story and her willingness to work so hard.

“There are still so many more we could serve in just this area,” says Mary Paul, exiting the house with NewSong and signaling to the other girls in the alley.  “By helping these girls stay in school, we can change an entire generation.”

As the group leaves the alley, Russ momentarily looks back and observes Seveta standing in front of her home – her neat school uniform in sharp contrast to her meager surroundings.

“It’s almost like she doesn’t belong there,” says Russ. “When she finishes her education, she won’t. She will have so much more than this.”

“This is what we do,” says Mary Paul in reply. “God gives us the will and courage to do this work one child at a time.”

Almost on cue, the celebration music in the background comes to an abrupt stop. A smile curls the corners of Russ’ mouth.

“Let’s make it more than one at a time if we can,” says Russ, with fierce determination.

Give a Gift of Hope today!  Over half of all girls in India don’t finish primary school, most because they lack money for fees, books, uniforms and supplies. Help one girl in Holt’s India programs achieve her goals—support one year of her education!  Click here

After the birth of our third child, my husband and I decided that our family was complete. We were content and didn’t plan to have any more children; however, God had other plans. During the summer of 2006 we began to think about adding to our family, discussed adoption and prayed for God’s [...]]]> by Jennifer Smith

After the birth of our third child, my husband and I decided that our family was complete. We were content and didn’t plan to have any more children; however, God had other plans. During the summer of 2006 we began to think about adding to our family, discussed adoption and prayed for God’s guidance. We both felt a tugging towards adoption, but we wanted to make sure it was the right path for our family. We were looking for some sort of “big” sign, and that’s exactly what we got when we attended Winter Jam in 2007 in Mobile. It was our first time to attend a Winter Jam concert, so imagine our surprise when we discovered that Holt International sponsored it. As a video presentation of orphanages in China played, we watched as tears rolled down our cheeks. When it was over, we looked at each other and said: “we’re adopting…we’re going to China.” We requested an application packet from Holt the next week.

Like most people, we experienced both miracles and challenges during our adoption journey, but we forged ahead and claimed 2 Corinthians 5:7 as our adoption verse. It states: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” That verse came to mean so much to us during both the joyful and difficult times of our adoption journey.

We started out in the standard process but then switched to the China Child of Promise option. After only a few weeks in this program, we received our referral for a beautiful little girl named Shang Nan. She was listed as having vision problems. We read over the information and looked at her pictures, and we knew that she was the one. We fell in love with her instantly.

Rinnah Shangnan is doing very well now. She’s had an eye examination, and it was confirmed that she is completely blind in her right eye. She wears glasses now, and we can tell that using them is definitely helping her. She is trying to stand up now and even does somersaults! She is a good-natured and happy little girl.

Before we met Rinnah Shangnan, we anticipated that attachment would be her biggest challenge; however, she has attached and bonded remarkably well. Now our biggest challenge is helping her with the vision problem and developmental delays. She has regularly scheduled appointments with a vision therapist, as well as both a physical and an occupational therapist. Rinnah Shangnan has made a great deal of progress already, but we’ve still got a long way to go.

To those of you in process now, just remember that waiting provides you the opportunity to grow and to prepare for the changes and the challenges ahead. Even then, you will experience surprises along the way. Some things you just can’t prepare for but when you hold your child for the first time, the difficulty of waiting just fades away. The love that you feel is indescribable. We are so blessed to have Rinnah Shangan in our family, and we continue our journey – walking by faith each day.

Learn more about the China Child of Promise option

Help a child with special needs find a family by donating to the Special Needs Adoption Fund