About

Our Role

Our Initiatives

TELL THE STORY

With a strong internet presence, engagement on social media, and attendance at key events, we can bring awareness and voice to the over 400,000 children in U.S. foster care.

TRAIN THE CHURCH

The best place to find families for kids is in the local church. The more churches we train, the more healing homes are found for hurting children.

EQUIP NETWORKS

Networks are communities of churches working in collaboration together. To equip a network is to reach a multitude of churches.

RAISE UP TRAINERS

Additional trainers allow us to expand our reach; exponential growth can only happen when we multiply ourselves.

DEVELOP FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Financial partners fuel our mission by helping us reach more churches, who will recruit more families, who will welcome more hurting children home.

ENGAGE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

By engaging university campuses, we can influence the next generation of orphan care leaders!

Executive Team

Meet the team that makes Backyard Orphans happen on a daily basis.

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Eric Porter

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Trisha Porter

Chief Engagement Officer

Lynette Davidson

COO

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Brett Bouck

Executive Assistant

Melissa Ingwerson

Project Coordinator

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Shauna Whidden

Program Director

Sarah Barreto

Communications Coordinator

Field Team

Meet our field team who helps expand our reach, our abilities, and our impact. We are so grateful to have them a part of our team.

Jen Kinnamon

Trainer

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Ken Kinnamon

Network and College Event Coordinator

Jenn Kandel

Trainer

Pam Hodges

Trainer

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Rebekah Howell

Trainer

Christian Galloway

Community Specialist

Support Team

Meet our support team who helps expand our reach, our abilities, and our impact. We are so grateful to have them a part of our team.

Ben Brewer

Creative Lead

Kelly Weinberg

Hospitality Specialist

Bethany Johnson

Content Editor

Instagram

Michael Robinson

Marketing Coordinator

Meredith Chase

Brand Consultant

What People are saying

“Northplace started their Orphan Care Ministry over 4 years ago. Backyard Orphans has provided guidance, strategy consultation and encouragement every step of the way. They were the impetus to get us started!”

Crystal Liechty

Northplace Church, Sachse, TX

“Backyard Orphans is one of the greatest resources in helping churches reach the hurting children in America. They are setting up ministries all around the country that will impact kids’ lives for eternity.”

Pastor Scott Wilson

Oaks Church, Red Oak, TX

“Backyard Orphans has helped us in our understanding of the need of children in the orphan care space. We have infused that both into our personal lives by taking in a girl who needed us, and into the ministry life of the church we pastor. We are honored to partner with this team to see every hurting child find a healing home!”

Pastor Josh Morgan

Connect4LIFE Church, Waxahachie, TX

“We have worked with Eric and Trisha Porter for a few years now in the area of orphan care. Our own efforts, in this area of ministry, have been advanced because of our partnership with them. I am thrilled they are broadening their hearts and skills for global impact through Backyard Orphans.”

Dr. Bryan Jarrett

Northplace Church, Sachse, TX

“Backyard Orphans is committed to seeing more families waiting for children than children waiting for families! They are a valuable resource to the local church when it comes to living out the mandate of James 1:27. We are all called to do something in orphan care and Backyard Orphans will help you discover and develop that something! If every church does a little, we can do a lot for children and families in need!”

Bishop Aaron Blake

Harvest Family Life, Waxahachie, TX

“Backyard Orphans’ nailed the church training for our lead team. Six hours of staff and key volunteer time spent exactly right: equipping Peoples Church and Network for true religion.”