Upstream Collaborative

Welcome new members!!

In May, we welcomed four new organizations to the Upstream community. We’re excited to connect, collaborate, and create impact together.

Please join us in welcoming:
🌊 .inc
🌊
🌊
🌊 .moms

We’re excited to officially announce our first public job posting at Upstream Collaborative!

We’re looking for an Executive Director who is passionate about cultivating connection, sustainability, generosity, and long-term impact for the Church moving upstream together.

Do you know someone who would thrive in this role? We would love for you to share this opportunity far and wide as we prayerfully search for the right fit for this next season of ministry.

Full job description available at the link in our bio.
To apply, email your resume to [email protected]

Kingdom over competition 🤍

This month’s Upstream Members Call left us so encouraged. Savannah Marten, Executive Director of Bella Vita Network in Toledo, Ohio, shared such a powerful reminder that when we operate through a Kingdom lens, collaboration replaces comparison and stewardship replaces scarcity.

A few notes we’re still holding onto:
• “If you win, I lose” is not Kingdom thinking
• Resources are meant to be stewarded, not owned
• Trust produces more fruit
• Growth is not zero-sum
• Fear doesn’t have to drive performance

We love being a collaborative where organizations can celebrate one another, share resources freely, and encourage growth in family preservation together. There is so much beauty in choosing partnership over competition. 🌊

Thank you, Savannah, for leading such a meaningful conversation for our community!

SAVE THE DATE 🌊

We are excited to officially announce the 2027 Upstream National Conference: Healer.

Together, we will focus on God our Healer.

This conference is designed with ministry leaders, board members, volunteers, and advocates in mind who are serving in:

• Child Hosting
• Mentorship
• Pro-Life Ministries
• Fatherhood Ministries
• Family Preservation Efforts

Join us February 10–12, 2027 in Deerfield Beach, Florida as we gather for encouragement, collaboration, training, and renewal alongside others passionate about strengthening families.

Details and early registration are coming soon - but for now, mark your calendars and begin praying with us for what God will do through Healer.

Tag someone you want to be there with you in 2027!

Today is National Day of Prayer. Will you join us in prayer?

🌊 pray for our partner organizations doing the work of family preservation in over 10 states.
🌊 pray for our fatherhood stream as this initiative launches and communities start to implement
🌊 pray for our 2027 conference as we plan and grow this annual gathering
🌊 pray for the movement of family preservation

We are thankful for this collaborative community and the way we get to support family preservation work all over the U.S.

Dads, this one’s for you 👊

Join us THIS Thursday at noon for our FREE Dads Zoom- a space to connect, learn, and grow together.

Whether you’re a dad, work with dads, or just want to better understand and support fatherhood… you’re invited.

📩 DM us for the Zoom link!

Children matter deeply to God- and how we protect and care for them matters too.

Scripture is clear:
We are called to defend the vulnerable, honor children with dignity, refuse harm, nurture with love, expose wrongdoing, and care for those in distress.

So here’s a simple, unified step we can take together:

On the last day of this month at 12:00 noon.
Pray against child abuse and neglect.
Pray through Psalm 10

Yesterday we gathered for our April Monthly Member Call, and it was one of those conversations that sticks with you.

Chris Johnson from Lifeline Family Services shared on church engagement.

Grateful for the space to learn, reflect, and grow together- and for voices like Chris who remind us why this work matters.

Already looking forward to next month 🤍