- Here is a summary about Compassion, whose ministry we commend and whom we gladly welcome to TGS on their periodic visits —
- Compassion is a Christian international holistic child development organisation. It started in the U.S.A. in 1952, and in Australia in 1978. Over 2 million children are currently Sponsored, in 25 countries (through over 8000 local church partners), by over 100,000 supporters.
- Compassion works with individual children, and builds long-term relationships with children and a local church.
- Compassion is: 1. Christ-centred— it spreads the gospel in a culturally- relevant, non-coercive way. Children and their families are assisted regardless of their beliefs, gender or background;
- 2. Child-focused: children are hardest hit by poverty and the least able to change their circumstances. The wholistic needs of each individual child is addressed so they can become adults who are equipped to change their communities;
- 3. Church-based: local churches can best identify the needs of children in their communities, and adapt programs for greatest local effect.
- The Compassion Statement of Faith is orthodox and commendable.
- About 80% of donations directly support children in poverty (so, about 20% Administration & Fundraising costs).
- If you or your family can’t Sponsor a child alone, you could do it with others. A Bible study group I’m in together supports a child in Indonesia; our church’s Youth Group together supports a boy in Africa.
- A child you Sponsor is keen for you to write to them. They want to get to know you and share their life with you. Often, they want to pray for you, and they want you to pray for them. It’s not just about money.
- Rev. Simon Ward has been with Compassion for some years now. He was a church Pastor before that (both in Brisbane and his native England). Simon is based in Brisbane but regularly travels in Qld.
- I highly recommend Compassion. My family is glad to have had Sponsor children for at least a decade now.
Cameron
