Doug is the Founder and Executive Director of Orphan World Relief,
Doug works to provide financial support and raise awareness of
orphanages, orphan relief efforts, and at-risk children worldwide.
Additionally, Doug works as a communications consultant for a
large Fortune 100 company and teaches English at a local college.
A communications professional by trade, Doug’s background
includes employee communications, adult education, adoption, orphans
and world missions.
Born in Iowa, Doug was adopted as an infant and raised largely
in the central Ohio area. He successfully located his biological
mother and her family when he was 30 and subsequently his biological
father has his family when he was 40.
In 1998 he experienced his first mission trip to Kiev, Ukraine.
That experience made a strong impact on his life and started the
thought processes that later made Orphan World Relief a reality.
In 1999 he adopted a 13-year old boy from the foster care system
in the United States. Through this experience he learned both
the joys and trials of adoption. (His son tragically died at age
22.)
He has led mission trips to various parts of the world and trained
others to be effective leaders and mission team members. Doug
holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas
at San Antonio.
Orphan & Adoption Issues
Orphans Around The World – Today there are almost orphaned
150 million children worldwide. While the numbers seem overwhelming,
the reality is, it takes so little to make a big difference
in the world.
Making the Adoption Choice – A couple or an individual
who decide to adopt a child will be making a permanent and life-long
change. Loving a child is not enough specifically if that child
is older and has been tossed about through the foster care system
locally or put in an orphanage in another part of the world.
Adoption isn’t for everyone, but it could be the right
choice for you.
Searching for Biological Family: A Success Story – At
age 30 Doug located his biological mother and her family. At
age 40 he made contact with his biological father and his family.
Doug has taken his family tree and created a forest. Not all
searches go so well. Doug has spoken to a number of groups about
his search and living life with a much larger family.
Life Direction
Your Soap Box: Finding Your Passion In Life – This presentation
is great for the high school or college student getting ready
to graduate or anyone looking for their unique mission in life!
You probably won’t end up a millionaire, but you’ll
likely be much happier!
Divorce
Single & Divorced – Divorce is never easy. After
leading divorce support groups for over seven years, learn how
to support a growing population of hurting people in the world
whether they’re part of your local Church, your co-worker,
or next door neighbor.
Missions & Evangelism
World Missions: Being an Effective Leader – After leading
mission trips to different parts of the world, Doug has learned
from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others. The desire
to lead a team of people is not enough. Learn some practical
steps to becoming an effective mission trip leader.
Sharing Your Personal Testimony – Doug’s personal
testimony is full of drama and emotion. But many people don’t
have earth shattering experiences. Everybody has a story to
tell. Learn to tell yours.
