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Shepherding in the Image of Jesus

Strengthening families. Equipping caregivers of the vulnerable. Preparing the next generation of mothers & fathers.

Returning to God’s Original Design for Family…

This is not a “parenting book…” this is a foundational resource calling mothers, fathers, and leaders to Christlike care. To shepherd “our own” from fear to trust, from stress to strength, and from immaturity to maturity. All through—and all for—trust-based relationship.

This resource is a journey…

  • Revealing the glory of God’s design for family and relationship… beginning with pregnancy, infancy, and childhood.
  • Bringing deeper understanding about the effects of early trauma or chronic stress on children’s brains, development, and relationships.
  • Producing greater hope for healing and redemption through the way we care.
Get the book
read the Blog

Returning to God’s Original Design for Family…

This is not a “parenting book…” this is a foundational resource calling mothers, fathers, and leaders to Christlike care. To shepherd “our own” from fear to trust, from stress to strength, and from immaturity to maturity. All through—and all for—trust-based relationship.

This resource is a journey…

  • Revealing the glory of God’s design for family and relationship… beginning with pregnancy, infancy, and childhood.
  • Bringing deeper understanding about the effects of early trauma or chronic stress on children’s brains, development, and relationships.
  • Producing greater hope for healing and redemption through the way we care.
Get the book
read the Blog

Returning to God’s Original Design for Family…

This is not a “parenting book…” this is a foundational resource calling mothers, fathers, and leaders to Christlike care. To shepherd “our own” from fear to trust, from stress to strength, and from immaturity to maturity. All through—and all for—trust-based relationship.

This resource is a journey…

  • Revealing the glory of God’s design for family and relationship… beginning with pregnancy, infancy, and childhood.
  • Bringing deeper understanding about the effects of early trauma or chronic stress on children’s brains, development, and relationships.
  • Producing greater hope for healing and redemption through the way we care.
Get the book
Blog
“All I could think of when I read through Wisdom of Care was how much I could have used this years before! After two decades of full time pastoral ministry and raising six children (two of which are adopted) the theological, psychological, and parental insight in this book is unmatched! The thought of this material being in the hands of parents and future parents makes me brim over with HOPE! This resource combines a robust biblical frame work with cutting edge psychological findings in a beautiful and accessible format! I cannot recommend this book enough to every pastor, parent, leader, teacher and anyone who cares about the redemption of our nurturing environments.”

— Benji Horning

Adoptive father; Senior Pastor, Light San Diego

“As a new mother reading this book, I have gleaned understanding of what my family needs. I am encouraged to be the mom The Lord created me to be.”

— Mandy Webb

Mother

“More than anything else I’m doing, raising up the next generation from infancy matters more.”

— John David Gallagher

Future Father

“Christlike Connection is a must read for anyone called to care for children, especially those who are hurting. The evidence-based principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)—Empowering, Connecting, and Correcting—is delicately woven together with a God-breathed spiritual perspective in this book and it does far more than offer trauma-informed care strategies; it invites you directly into a holy calling. Every page feels soaked in scripture, empathy, and divine wisdom, turning complex attachment concepts into actionable, grace-filled acts of ministry. As a new father, reading it left me feeling equipped, refreshed, and in awe of God’s design for human connection reflects His eternal devotion to us. I highly recommend this book to any Christian parent (or future parent), foster or adopting families, or ministry leader seeking to bring true, Christ-centered healing to wounded hearts.”

— Austin Toftee

father

“Reading Part 1 Christlike Connection, Born In Need, makes me incredibly excited to be a future father, and humbles me in experiencing the perfect care and love of Jesus’ in new depth. Born In Need helped reshape my understanding of my own identity, children’s identity, and humanity’s identity, through the lens of Christ and His original design. This book beautifully connects the realities of neuroscience to the truth of the word of God, so everyone on earth should really read this book. It is applicable to every kind of relationship, and reminds us to behold Christ for who He is.”

— Matthew Gallagher

Future Father

“As a future labor and delivery nurse, Born in Need showed me that the way I care for newborns must reflect the care of Jesus, beginning with meeting their earliest needs. It invited me to explore the impact of trust-based relationships and to reflect on my role as a caregiver to both mothers and infants. In my own relationship with Him, I’ve received revelation that this care is the Father’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Each time a little one is welcomed into the world, it is a reminder of the Father’s heart for His children. Born in Need left me in complete awe of our Perfect Caregiver and of His perfect design.”

— Henna Chong-Tim

Future Labor & Delivery Nurse, Future Mother

Wisdom of Care exists to…

  • Radically dignify motherhood and fatherhood
  • Reveal God’s design for trust and security to form—or to be restored—relationally
  • Encourage personal healing and renewal of the mind
  • Equip and support those called to foster, adopt or care for the vulnerable
  • Offer transformational ways to shepherd those with insecurity, hurt, or trauma
  • (Most of all) Behold and glorify Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Perfect Caregiver
Our Mission

Emi, Mike & Mandy Gallagher

About the Founders

Our Testimony
The Wisdom of Care developed in our journey as mother, father and firstborn daughter through 15+ years of being an adoptive family, 5+ years of learning and practicing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), fearing the Lord, pursuing Scripture and encountering Jesus as the Perfect Caregiver. Together, we seek to bear witness of His ways of transformational care and to share all we wish we knew from the beginning…

In co-founding the Wisdom of Care, Mandy and I represent current parents and foster / adoptive parents. We want to support and strengthen them to keep going and keep growing. And we represent the opportunity to equip ahead of time any who are considering foster care, adoption, or any type of work with of vulnerable children.

Emi represents what is truly the most far-reaching: “future mothers and fathers.” In an age where family, marriage, and mental health are more compromised and under attack than ever before, Emi carries—with a deep reverence for God—the opportunity to bring healing and equipping to a new generation of mothers and fathers before they even have their first child.

Reaching and empowering the next generation of mothers and fathers will directly and powerfully transform generations to come!

The “Wisdom of Care” belongs to Jesus. We do not seek to construct anything… our hearts are simply to serve the Body of Christ with this message and resource that we know is on the heart of the Father to give His children—for such a time.

Emi, Mike & Mandy Gallagher

About the Founders

Our Testimony
The Wisdom of Care developed in our journey as mother, father and firstborn daughter through 15+ years of being an adoptive family, 5+ years of learning and practicing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), fearing the Lord, pursuing Scripture and encountering Jesus as the Perfect Caregiver. Together, we seek to bear witness of His ways of transformational care and to share all we wish we knew from the beginning…

In co-founding the Wisdom of Care, Mandy and I represent current parents and foster / adoptive parents. We want to support and strengthen them to keep going and keep growing. And we represent the opportunity to equip ahead of time any who are considering foster care, adoption, or any type of work with of vulnerable children.

Emi represents what is truly the most far-reaching: “future mothers and fathers.” In an age where family, marriage, and mental health are more compromised and under attack than ever before, Emi carries—with a deep reverence for God—the opportunity to bring healing and equipping to a new generation of mothers and fathers before they even have their first child.

Reaching and empowering the next generation of mothers and fathers will directly and powerfully transform generations to come!

The “Wisdom of Care” belongs to Jesus. We do not seek to construct anything… our hearts are simply to serve the Body of Christ with this message and resource that we know is on the heart of the Father to give His children—for such a time.

Emi, Mike & Mandy Gallagher

About the Founders

The Wisdom of Care developed in our journey as mother, father and firstborn daughter through 15+ years of being an adoptive family, 5+ years of learning and practicing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), fearing the Lord, pursuing Scripture and encountering Jesus as the Perfect Caregiver. Together, we seek to bear witness of His ways of transformational care and to share all we wish we knew from the beginning…

In co-founding the Wisdom of Care, Mandy and I represent current parents and foster / adoptive parents. We want to support and strengthen them to keep going and keep growing. And we represent the opportunity to equip ahead of time any who are considering foster care, adoption, or any type of work with of vulnerable children.

Emi represents what is truly the most far-reaching: “future mothers and fathers.” In an age where family, marriage, and mental health are more compromised and under attack than ever before, Emi carries—with a deep reverence for God—the opportunity to bring healing and equipping to a new generation of mothers and fathers before they even have their first child.

Reaching and empowering the next generation of mothers and fathers will directly and powerfully transform generations to come!

The “Wisdom of Care” belongs to Jesus. We do not seek to construct anything… our hearts are simply to serve the Body of Christ with this message and resource that we know is on the heart of the Father to give His children—for such a time.

Our Testimony

who this is for

  • Mothers & Fathers
  • Caregivers of the Vulnerable
  • Future Mothers & Fathers

For Those Already Cultivating Family

No one can mother and father “our own” like God designed us to mother and father— shepherd—“our own.”


As mothers, we’re called to nurture, comfort and respond to needs—tend—like no one else can for our children. As fathers, we’re called to protect, provide and strengthen—tend—like no one else can for our children. And what every mother and father needs to know, is that the way we tend is shaping their very brain and laying the foundation for all of their future relationships…


This profound reality will be deeply unpacked in Christlike Connection, Attachment by Design—beginning with Book 1: Born in Need.

Buy Book 1
upcoming events

Who This Is For

For Those Already Cultivating Family

No one can mother and father “our own” like God designed us to mother and father— shepherd—“our own.”

As mothers, we’re called to nurture, comfort and respond to needs—tend—like no one else can for our children. As fathers, we’re called to protect, provide and strengthen—tend—like no one else can for our children. And what every mother and father needs to know, is that the way we tend is shaping their very brain and laying the foundation for all of their future relationships…

This profound reality will be deeply unpacked in Christlike Connection, Attachment by Design—beginning with Book 1: Born in Need.

For Those Tending the Least of These

Caring for a child whose early story was marked by neglect, abuse or other developmental trauma is one of the greatest challenges—and privileges—we could ever say “Yes” to. For all those needing greater equipping and empowerment on these long-term, “special ops missions,” Wisdom of Care asks and begins to uncover: “Why does Jesus care for the broken the way He does?”

It should be non-negotiable for current (or future) caregivers of vulnerable children to understand Attachment By Design. For only when we understand God’s original design for attachment and childhood development—can we truly understand the struggles these children are up against…

Why they are so vulnerable… what is really going on behind their brokenness… and what it really requires to be part of their long-term restoration…

This tender reality will be deeply unpacked in Christlike Connection, Attachment by Design—beginning with Book 1: Born in Need.

If not us, who? If not now, when?

As future mothers and future fathers, we have a rare invitation: To enter in to mothering and fathering with a secure foundation and with the fear of the Lord…

Imagine if we were the first generation to return to God’s original design for family—and receive the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of His care—before we even hold our babies! For we will be the primary part of shaping the minds, identities and relationships of the coming generation. And we have the chance to be part of interrupting cycles of generational fear, insecurities and brokenness—and ushering in new cycles of trust, security and wholeness…

This unprecedented opportunity will be deeply unpacked in Christlike Connection, Attachment by Design—beginning with Book 1: Born in Need.

Buy Book 1
upcoming events

Latest Devotionals and Upcoming Events

Feed My Sheep

Book Release Night

You’re invited to join us for Wisdom of Care’s first ever “Book Release Night” at our local home church in San Diego! This time will include prayer, worship, feasting and fellowship centered upon JESUS, our Good Shepherd and Perfect Caregiver! Here we will have the opportunity to personally meet and...

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Jesus, the Perfect Caregiver

*Sneak Peak of Book 1* “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” —Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) Jesus is calling His own, by name… to come to Him, to...

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Dear Future Mothers & Future Fathers

We need to be healed and equipped with the Wisdom of Christ’s care.  Many of us have not received the care we need and were made to be given. And it has left us feeling distressed, anxious, unseen, unheard, overwhelmed, alone… vulnerable.  Many of our minds are suffering the effects...

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