Celebrating
20 years of bringing families together
More Than 8,600 Beautiful Stories of Adoption
This year, we are honored to celebrate Show Hope’s 20th anniversary—that’s 20 years of welcoming children home through adoption and connecting families from around the world. Two decades of God writing beautiful stories of adoption—of hope and of healing. Twenty years of caring for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. We hope you’ll watch this video and browse the timeline below to join us in reflecting on the many ways God has moved through this ministry and looking forward to the stories yet to be written.
20 Years of Hope
20th Anniversary
Officially incorporated as Shaohannah’s Hope, Inc.
After God weaved adoption into their family’s story, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman desired to see more children come to know the love and permanency of a family, founding what is known today as Show Hope.
Adoption Aid grants become available
The Chapmans longed to help 100 children come home to a family, yet God had something much bigger in mind. Today, more than 8,400 children and families have been impacted by a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant.
Care Center planning and funding begins
Honoring the homeland of their three youngest daughters, the Chapmans and Show Hope began to support a network of Care Centers in China where children who had been orphaned receive acute medical and special needs care.
Break ground for Shaohannah’s Hope Care Center (later Maria’s Big House of Hope)
Within a year of Show Hope’s support of the Care Centers in China, ground was broken on what then was known as the Shoahannah Hope’s Care Center.
Maria’s Miracle Fund established
On May 21, 2008, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, went home to be with Jesus. To honor her life and legacy, Maria’s Miracle Fund was established in support of the Care Centers.
Student Initiatives launch
With a vision to engage, educate, and mobilize students to advocate for adoption and care for orphans, Student Global Training Trips were the first of Show Hope Student Initiatives endeavors, which have included The Movement Clubs, the Red Bus Project, and currently Pause Campaign.
Pre+Post Adoption Support established
With an aim to help parents better understand their children’s unique history and needs, Show Hope launched its Pre+Post Adoption Support work, which also equips professionals, churches, and communities in caring for children impacted by adoption and/or foster care.
Maria’s Big House of Hope grand opening (formerly known as Shaohannah Hope’s Care Center)
Through countless individuals and families loving well the Chapman family during their time of great loss and devastation, Maria’s Big House of Hope was officially named, built, and opened as Show Hope’s flagship Care Center in China.
Shaohannah’s Hope officially becomes Show Hope
As Shaohannah’s Hope began to grow, the Chapmans realized what began with their family had flourished into a movement beyond their earliest expectations, prompting a more accessible (and easier to spell) name for the organization in Show Hope.
Empowered to Connect Conference launches
With a unique partnership with the late Dr. Karyn Purvis and the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU, the Empowered to Connect Conference became an early iteration of Show Hope’s Pre+Post Adoption Support.
Medical Care grants become available
Growing out of a rich Care Centers Legacy, Show Hope’s Medical Care grants financially assist families with medical expenses for their children welcomed home through adoption.
Care Centers Legacy continues
Although Show Hope’s funding of Care Centers in China has ended, children are still met with care at Maria’s Big House of Hope which still stands in operation, and the Care Centers Legacy remains strong in the children and families impacted by Show Hope’s work in China.
Hope for the Journey Conference launches
After a refocusing of vision, Show Hope’s Empowered to Connect Conference grew to become the Hope for the Journey Conference, designed to encourage and equip parents and caregivers as well as resource churches, agencies, and organizations in their support of families.
Help support Show Hope for the next 20 years and beyond
If you’d like to join us in continuing this mission to care for orphans and break down barriers to adoption, you can help fund grants, pre+post adoption support and more by donating today.