Leaders of two evangelical Christian organizations are urging churches to observe the first Orphan Sunday on Oct. 5.
The inaugural observance is designed to focus the attention of congregations on the growing number of orphans in need of care across the globe.
"Orphan Sunday is a movement. It isn't an actual organization," said Gary Schneider, head of Orphan Sunday and president of Every Orphan's Hope.
Schneider, whose Round Hill, Va.-based organization ministers to African orphans, said the idea had been set in motion by a Zambian pastor, whose small church consists primarily of widows and orphans.
The pastor encourages them to do more to help orphans during a monthly Orphan Sunday service.
