I’ve written about Compassion International more than any other subject here on Shlog. From the beginning of my relationship with Compassion and my first trip overseas to see their work ( See posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to a developing friendship with Wes, the president, and Jackie, grown up proof that their work works – I’ve said all I know to say about Compassion International.
And I’m not the only one you’re heard talking. In the last week, as part of this 40 days project of ours, you’ve probably learned about Compassion International from Kat and Brant already. So, odds are, most of you reading this post already know that Compassion International rescues children from poverty by feeding and clothing them, providing medical care, mentoring and counseling them, educating them and teaching them about the love of Jesus. And if you’ve read all the links scattered throughout this post so far you know that it works and that I’d like to see every Christian in the developed world give a child life for the small price of $32 dollars a month.
That’s easy. And that’s usually all I ask folks to do when I’m on the road.
That’s not what this post is about. That’s not my “cause.” Let’s go further this time.
I’m asking those of you who already sponsor children through Compassion International today to pray about getting involved in two more ways.
First, Compassion International has a couple relatively new initiatives I haven’t written about before. The $32 child sponsorship program you know about meets the needs of grade school aged children. But the Child Survival Program helps even younger children. It meets the needs of children too young to go to school – babies – and the needs of their mothers. The goal is to decrease the mortality rate in the third world. You can sponsor a baby through this program for $20 a month.
Then there’s the Leadership Development Program which meets the needs of young adults who’ve been raised by Compassion’s regular child sponsorship program – these are the young men and women who’ve graduated from school and are now being educated at the university level and taught leadership skills by a Christian mentor in their field of study. These young people are the future leaders of their countries, the ones at the forefront of changing their nations. You can sponsor a university student through this program for $300 a month.
Secondly, Compassion International needs those of us who already sponsor children and believe in what they do to spread the word. Consider hosting a Compassion Sunday event at your church. If you’re an independent artist interested in representing Compassion International at your concerts as I do, you can join their Independent Artist Network. Put a banner ad on your blog or myspace page. Share a video. Become a Child Advocate and represent Compassion at concerts and other events in your city (advocates man my Compassion table at every show and I couldn’t do what I do without them.) Spreading the word about the poverty-ending work of Compassion International is free.
So, today, you can fill an empty stomach, educate a young mind, heal a sickness, and tell a child God loves them by sponsoring a child through Compassion International. You can teach a mother how to raise her child, provide clean water and good food for a baby, and give friendship and relief to a tired mother by giving to the Compassion’s Child Survival Program. You can mentor a young adult, educate her, inspire her, and shape her into a nation shaping leader by funding Compassion’s Leadership Development Program. You can spread the word about Compassion, tell your own story, share with others how your contribution has changed the life of a child and how your life has been changed in the process.
You can do something today to end physical and spiritual poverty in Jesus’ name.
(If you have any questions about Compassion International – how they work, what they do – ask in the comments of this post and I’ll give you answers. If I can’t there are folks from Compassion who read this blog and I know they’ll know anything I don’t.)
Kat's Mom says:
Unless we think of others and do something for them, we miss one of the greatest sources of happiness.
– Ray Lyman Wilbur
Great post Shaun – I am praying for you today! We just started a sponsorship and are looking forward to getting to know our child, Celine, and are praying about Compassions other two initiatives.
Steven says:
God bless you today buddy.
And thanks so much for what you do for Compassion. It was because of you that I sponsored a child.
You are making a difference.
Grovesfan says:
Thanks for the information on these other ministries that Compassion does. And, thank you for the passion you’ve inspired to get out of the pews and do something.
Beth
Kim says:
Thank you for highlighting the other ministries of Compassion. My husband and I have decided to sponsor another child as a result of this 40 Day Fast project and I think we will participate in the Child Survival program now that we know about it. We have a daughter who is about to be a year old. I feel honored to help another mother with her baby. Thank you for the post. I am praying for you as you fast today!
Ryan says:
Just got back from a trip to Ethiopia working with orphans with an organization similar to Compassion… Its amazing to see first hand how significant a monthly contribution of $32 can be in an individual’s life.
Compassion’s Leadership Development Program sounds excellent… how exactly are individuals selected for it?
Shaun Groves says:
Q: Compassion’s Leadership Development Program sounds excellent… how exactly are individuals selected for it?
A: I know that there is an intense application process to choose the few who get to participate in the LD Program. That number will increase when the number of sponsors increases. One goal of the application process is to ascertain which individuals have the greatest potential of success in the program – those who will make the most of the opportunity and not quit. This is truly a program for the hardest working, most dedicated applicants.
But again, this program is supposed to expand to offer this opportunity to many many more. It just can’t until the funds are there from sponsors willing to pay $300 every month.
Does that answer the question?
Brandy Campbell says:
Just another note about the LDP program. It’s not just a scholarship program. The monthly support of sponsors is poured into training these already dedicated, amazing young adults to be the future leaders of their country. They go on mission trips, they attend leadership training retreats, etc. I’m excited to see the day an LDP student becomes president of their country–and I have no doubt that will happen.
Brandy
Brandy Campbell says:
Oh, and a note about CSP. Through this program (which is incredible, I’ve seen it in person) you don’t “sponsor” a child as much as you “partner” with a specific Child Survival Program project. Like sponsorship, you can choose the country of your project, but you’re not paired with a specific baby. I know it just sounds like semantics, but since mothers are beneficiaries in this program, it works slightly differently. CSP is a primarily home-based program, where CSP workers visit mothers in their homes and teach them lessons on healthy, nutrition, hygiene, etc. Your partnership makes it possible for each mother and child in the program to get these life-saving lessons. We can keep the costs down, therefore keeping monthly commitment costs down, because of this format.
And seriously, this program is incredible. I daily get to write stories about moms who had two, three, four miscarriages before entering the program. Mothers whose children WOULD HAVE DIED were it not for the support of the Child Survival Program. It’s life-changing.
If I didn’t explain that very well, just ask away. I’m the primary writer of CSP materials for Compassion (I write the brochures, and the profile information you get about your specific CSP).
(SORRY, that got really long!)
Kat says:
Shaun,
Thanks so much for being a part of this and for all you do for Compassion and the children it serves.
It’s great to learn about the different ways that we can get involved in the lives of those in need.
I’ll be praying for you today.
Ryan says:
Thanks, Shaun and Brandy for your answers. That is one amazing program.
Tressa says:
Shaun,
I was praying for you today, after reading your posts, hearing about your passion, and seeing what you do for this ministry- and I really felt like the Lord wants to say to you ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been so faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ I really think He delights in all you have done for His glory.
And I second the comment that was posted earlier that these children are our future leaders, possibly the future president, I believe that is all apart of Gods glory being manifested! “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” John Whitehead.
I am amazed and inspired by the way you serve the kingdom. God bless you today as you stand in the gap for these children.
~Tressa
Kelly says:
Thank you so much for being a part of the 40 Day Fast, you are an inspiration to me.
I am a Compassion member and sponser, but I didnt know about the Child Survival Program. I thank you for talking about it today, because now (when I’m working again) will also be a sponser for that program. It gives me something else to work towards, bless your heart!
~Kelly
Chaotic Hammer says:
Thanks again for what you do, Shaun. This is excellent information, and will definitely give me some additional options to consider when supporting the great work of Compassion International.
michael says:
thanks…i definitely want to check this out.
no longer nancy says:
my compassion boy is Jason. he is adorable and sends the sweetest letters. my heart sings when i see a letter from him. i hope his heart does the same when he receives one from me.
thank you for always keeping Compassion International in front of people.
jason77 says:
I thank what you guys are doing is fantastic and very challenging…
Michael S says:
In your words, videos and music—you have a gift for “motivating” people to see the need and take action. Sponsoring our little girl Mirna has taught us that love has no boundaries—it reaches across the world.
Thanks again for great work and informative posts—you’re in our prayers.
Gretch-A-Sketch says:
Thank you for the info on Compassions ministries! Great blog!
Gretchin
Shaun Groves says:
Sorry about my wording there, Brandy, and thanks for the correction. Can you tell I never talk about LDP or CSP? I’m learning.
Brandy Campbell says:
Oh, it’s no problem Shaun. Hope I didn’t sound like a jerk! I just wanted to make sure both the purpose and impact of CSP (and LDP for that matter) are clear. Because they’re such great programs!
And thank you, Shaun, for sharing your passion for Compassion. You, and your readers, are changing the world for children living in poverty.
Becky Kankelfritz says:
Hey Shaun! Just wanted to say thank you for this post. My husband, Mike, and I sponsor two girls through Compassion but did not know about the new initiatives. We are now sponsoring a child through the Child Survival Program. Thanks for all you do!