Since our inception in 2003 CAFA representatives have spoken in numerous churches and conferences about adoption, focusing on the biblical foundation for adoption and calling Christians to consider their role in caring for orphans. CAFA exists to promote adoption within the Christian community through Inspiration and Education.

CAFA Board Members


Art Docter, President

Art and Wendy Docter have been married for 35 years. They have been blessed with four biological children, seven adopted children, and five grandchildren. Their adoptions have given them experience in both domestic and international adoptions, as well as transracial and special needs adoptions.

His interest in orphan awareness began in 1994 when fellow co-workers traveled to Vietnam to assist orphans. Interested families met together formulating plans to adopt from Vietnam. After going through the process of a failed Vietnamese adoption, Art and his wife began their first successful adoption journey to China in the spring of 1996.

Since then, Art has been instrumental in assisting an adoption agency start-up. He has served on the board of Families Through Adoption in its earliest beginnings. Realizing all too often that financing is a roadblock for families wishing to adopt, he was among a team who founded Christian Advocates for Adoption in 2003.Working with Christian Advocates for Adoption has been an area that allows him to help others in their journey through the adoption process. Helping orphans join their “forever families” is the heart throb of Art and the team at CAFA.


Gale Lanning, Vice President

Gale and Char Lanning have been married for 25 years. Through adoption, they have been blessed with daughters Abbie and Meigan from China, and son Matt from Ohio. Gale is a computer programmer/web developer and Char is the Executive Director of Families Through Adoption in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


Mike Carroll, Secretary/Treasurer

Mike and Vanessa Carroll have been married for 17 years. In June of 2008, God blessed them with their daughter Jade from China. Mike has twelve years of nonprofit leadership experience, along with fifteen years of business development experience. They live in Rockford, Michigan and worship at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church. They are passionate about adoption and consider it a privilege to serve on the CAFA board.


Directors

Matt Zainea
Elaine Post
Clay Decker