Elli Oswald on reimagining child welfare.
From MercyCast by Let My People Go
April 8, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 154
About this episode
Elli Oswald discusses the gap between beliefs and actions in child welfare, advocating for family-based solutions over institutional care.
We say children belong in families—but our actions tell a different story. Nearly 90% of Christians believe kids thrive in a home, yet billions are still poured into orphanages. There’s a gap… between what we believe and what we build. That gap matters—and it’s shaping the lives of vulnerable children around the world. In this episode, I sit down with Elli Oswald, Executive Director of Faith to Action, an organization equipping churches to move from institutional care to family-based solutions. Elli brings data, theology, and real-world experience to a conversation the Church can’t afford to ignore. Here’s the tension: Nearly 70% of believers acknowledge that institutional care can actually hinder a child’s development, yet we keep supporting it. Why? Because it feels like the easiest way to help. But there aren’t silver bullets. Orphanages may meet physical needs—but they can’t replace family, connection, and belonging. And the reality is more complex than we think. Eight out of ten children in orphanages have a parent. Poverty, lack of access, and broken systems—not lack of love—are often the real drivers. Which means the solution isn’t separation. It’s support. Key Takeaways…
People in this episode
Host: Let My People Go
Guest: Elli Oswald
Topics covered
- child welfare
- family-based solutions
- orphan care
- institutional care
- community support
- faith-based solutions
Keywords
- child welfare
- orphanages
- family reunification
- community support
- faith-based solutions
- vulnerable children
- institutional care
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Faith to Action
Places: Christian
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