“Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.”
I first became aware of Compassion International through a little insert in my Michael W. Smith cassette tape when I was in Jr. High. Michael spoke about the plight of children living in poverty and of a solution: child sponsorship through Compassion International. He introduced me to his beautiful sponsor child, Gavi. Each new album brought a new update. I was hooked! I looked forward to those updates almost as much as the albums themselves. I determined that, when I was old enough, I would sponsor my own child through Compassion.
That time came in my third year of college. A friend had done a Compassion presentation at his church and had two children left. One of those was Rio, an adorable five year-old boy from the island of Java in Indonesia. I fell in love immediately and sponsored him on the spot! Thus began a wonderful relationship. I sponsored Rio for 17 years until he graduated from Compassion’s program at the age of 22. His letters and photos are some of my greatest treasures.
Rio was my first Compassion child, but he wasn’t my last. In all, I’ve sponsored thirteen and currently sponsor seven. I’ve been a volunteer Child Advocate with Compassion for a decade or so. It’s a program I truly believe in.
Here are some of the reasons why:
Compassion International was founded in 1952 by Rev. Everett Swanson to care for Korean children orphaned by the Korean War. Since then, Compassion has grown to serve more than 1.3 million children in 26 countries around the globe. Compassion is:
Christ Centered
Compassion’s ultimate goal is to see children’s lives changed through the power of Jesus. Every child is presented with the Gospel and the opportunity to know Him.
Child Focused
The focus of Compassions work is children, from before birth through their college years. To find out why, read here or, better yet, watch this video.
Church Based
Compassion believes that the local church is the hands and feet of Christ within its community. Because of this, Compassion works through local churches in each of its countries, empowering them to help the children in their communities. Each child in the program is selected by the local church and receives benefits through that church.
Committed to Integrity
Compassion commits to the highest professional and biblical principles in all aspects of its ministry and maintains the highest industry standards for its allocation of funds. Financial statements are available on their website.
When you sponsor a child with Compassion, you have a relationship with a living, breathing, dreaming, playing, very real child. You are their only sponsor. It’s a relationship that changes you both. I hope you will consider starting a relationship of your own.
Help release a child from poverty in Jesus’ Name. Sponsor a child today!
Slender Threads 