Compassion Sunday: Helping Children Thrive

There are so many ways that Christians can impact this world in a bid to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In many lands, your message won't be heard unless you offer practical assistance to people first. Like Jesus showed us, presenting loaves and fishes to the afflicted before sharing a message of hope is the best way to reach the lost.

One organization that attempts to fulfill the Great Commission in a practical way is Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that works to free children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty in an effort to help them become responsible, complete Christian adults. For most of the past twenty years I've had the blessed opportunity to participate in their program, helping several children along the way. I first heard about Compassion through my church, which is way many sponsors learn about this wonderful program.

Compassion Sunday: An Annual Event

Every year, Springtime to be exact, Compassion International sets aside one special day where they ask volunteers to present the ministry of Compassion to other Christians. Held during church services, Compassion Sunday is an outreach that connects thousands of sponsors with children who need assistance. Sponsored children are offered healthcare and nutrition assistance; educational opportunities; a safe recreational outlet; life skills; and the opportunity to learn about Jesus and to receive His love. You can touch base with your sponsored child by sending letters and photographs; many sponsored children will write back too.

At a cost of $32 per month per child, the Compassion sponsorship program is now helping over 950,000 children in countries around the world. The 2007 campaign brought in 21,000 new sponsors and this years campaign, which was held on April 19th, has the opportunity to pass that number.

Not Just On Compassion Sunday

Of course, not every church can set aside a part of their service time on Compassion Sunday to tell congregants what this sponsorship program is all about. Therefore, Compassion encourages churches to find a day that is a fit for them -- not just on Compassion Sunday.

Order Training Materials

For volunteers who accept the opportunity to share Compassion with fellow church members, Compassion offers a training video to help them accomplish that task. In addition, volunteers are supplied with the following materials for the event:

• One Compassion t-shirt which you can wear on Compassion Sunday.

• Planning Folder.

• Bulletin Inserts.

• Child Packets.

• Family Sponsorship Kit.

• Tabletop Display.

• "Join Me" Buttons.

• Posters.

• ...Much More!

Other Ways To Help Out

Of course, you don't have to wait for the annual event to sponsor a child nor do you have to sponsor a child to help out. Compassion runs several other programs including Peru Earthquake Relief, a Disaster Program, Malaria Intervention Fund, Medical Treatment Program, and more. Either way, children are helped out.

Compassion's program meets all benchmarks for a charitable organization including 80% of monies donated go directly to child programs; the organization meets the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance Standards; and is recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four Star Charity.