The word leader sounds big, like something for older people; however, younger people can also do a great job and carry the title of leader. It only takes someone to guide and advise them every step of the way.

To develop leadership principles takes time. One teenager, Axel, is taking time to have a life of strong and Christ-centered leadership.

For almost three years Axel’s mother, Carmen, could not get pregnant. She was not a Christian at that time, but in her heart she prayed that God would let her have a child. She said to God,

“The baby will be yours, just loan it to me.”

Carmen got pregnant and Axel was born.

Axel comes from a simple family in Nicaragua. His father died nine years ago and his mother had to work selling goods at the market when Axel, his brother and sister were very little.

Carmen’s mother helped her a lot, but left the country to look for a better life. Carmen and her children live in and take care of the grandmother’s house. Carmen shares,

“It was very difficult to go to work to the market with the three children. I was desperate. I didn’t have Christ in my heart; my children were growing and becoming disobedient.

“I said to God … if you exist, give me an answer!”

After her desperate prayer, Carmen talked to the pastor of the church and Axel was registered at Mahanaim Student Center.

Not long after Axel´s registration at the child development center, he began to share with his mother some Bible verses  and some stories he learned at the center.

“I would get excited for all his improvement. He was not expressive but now he was telling me he loved me, and gave me hugs and kisses. I was overwhelmed.”

Carmen noticed that Axel spent more time at the center than at home. She would get a little upset but did not stop him.

By the grace and mercy of God in her child, Carmen finally gave her life to God three years ago.

With the lessons learned at the center, Axel and two of his friends began to play church at each other’s house. They would take turns to “preach” and the “congregation” was their siblings. Axel tells us,

“My mom worked at the child development center for a while and I used to see how she prepared herself for every class. Then I also took time to pray for the ‘sermon’ of our church game.”

More children were added to “play church,” and what started as a game became a reality in the church, which later established children’s service every Saturday. Thirty children now meet at church. The first leader was Axel but in earlier this year, he became the youth group leader.

Things are not always easy, especially for a young leader. Axel sometimes misbehaves like any other child, but his mother is there to advise him.

“My mom has been by my side in hard and good times, in my ups and downs, supporting everything I do like studies, ministry, etc.”

Johanna, Axel’s tutor, shares,

“As young leader, Axel has gone through some times where he also wants to give up; however the Nazarene, Axel’s mother, the pastor and his tutor have been there for him.”

When Axel gave his life to God and was baptized, he changed a lot. Axel had a strong character and had no patience with his brother and sister, but now he takes more time for them and helps them with their homework. With his mother, Axel was disobedient, but now he obeys and helps with home duties.

A close relationship with his tutor has also helped Axel to be a better child and good leader.

“I listen to the advice of older people and listening to them helps me to listen to those under my leadership. If the Lord has helped me to be here today, it is because I was under someone else’s leadership.

“My leaders took time to listen to me, so why am I not listening to those I am leading?”

Johanna shares more about Axel,

“Although he’s young, Axel is very mature and respectful in the way he talks and treats his friends. He is a good and intelligent child. Other teenagers follow him and respect him.”

Axel and his friends from church are an example to other children and teenagers in the community as well.

“I wouldn´t be here if it wasn´t for the change God did in me. We talk about God with other young people and our lives are a testimony for them because we are not in drugs or gangs, which give stability to our community.

“I like to tell people what Jesus has done in my life and if the way to do it is preaching, I’ll do it.”

Rosibel, Axel´s neighbor, also notices the difference in Axel,

“When we go out evangelizing, he preaches to the youth. He loves the things of God. I don’t see him doing bad things or saying bad words.”

A mother’s support is very important in the development of a great leader, too. The other two children who played church with Axel are simply attending the child development center because their parents, who are from a different religious background, don’t want them to grow spiritually.

“I support his leadership in prayer and fasting. I check if he´s praying or reading the Bible. I also tell him that who he is at church, in the street, in school, he must be at home, too. He can talk very nice in the pulpit, but his behavior at home is what I’m interested in. The Lord is watching over us at home, too,” expresses Carmen.

Letters from Axel’s sponsor have also encouraged his leadership.

“We have good communication and he has blessed me a lot.”

As a young leader, Axel needs a lot of support and guidance.

Johanna tells us,

“The pastor gives him Bible study and as a teacher I help him with other studies to strengthen his faith because the Word is the best guide.

“Axel would also like to study marketing and his mothers wish is ‘that the Lord´s will be done in him because Axel was just borrowed to me.’ Axel’s mother is very proud of her child. Axel is where he is because of God and the hard work of this woman who has known how to raise her kids.”

Carmen adds,

“Our family considers communication very important and that we get along very well. I don’t know if it’s because it is only the four of us, but every night before going to bed we hug each other, talk, pray, argue, cry, etc.”

Axel’s family is also thankful for the blessing the child development center has been to their lives and it has been a second home.

This beautiful family has experienced God’s grace and in gratitude they serve Him.

Inspiring and helping others to find the best area to work is what Axel is after in his leadership.

“We are all leaders but in different areas and that´s what we want for each teenager who comes to church, to find the best place for them to serve. If you like what you’re doing, you do it the best you can.”

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We at Compassion are very, very proud of Patrick, a Leadership Development Program student in Uganda who recently refused a bribe that would have allowed a dangerous drug to be released to the public.

While Patrick was working as an intern at a pharmaceutical company, he was asked repeatedly to pass a drug that had harmful chemicals in it. In fact, Patrick was offered 10 million Ugandan shillings — enough for him and his family to buy land and a new house.

Patrick refused the bribe and told the company that he simply would not pass the bad drugs.

The pharmaceutical company destroyed the drug in question, and now thousands of Ugandans are safer due to Patrick’s integrity and strength in Christ. Recognized for his leadership, Patrick was offered a promotion by the same company a week later.

Here is his story in his own words.

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When we arrived at the batey, we assembled all of the parents for a meeting. The assembly was mostly mothers and the lack of fathers present at the meeting was very noticeable.

At the meeting, we explained the importance of the baseball league and how critical it is that the parents and children take care of the equipment and uniforms about to be handed out. We told them that this league isn’t about finding the next Major League Baseball player, although in this area, that is not necessarily a long shot; this is more than a chance at the big leagues, it’s a chance to have their boys know what it means to be real men – to understand and develop responsibility, leadership and character.

Those things are not only what we will teach them, but what they learn to emulate in the home. If the home is not in order, what we teach them may not do any good. They represent – God first, their families, Pujols, Compassion and their own good name.

Once we concluded, the parents turned in signed sheets of paper promising their support, which means, among other things, that they will not sell the uniforms and equipment. Otherwise, the boys won’t play.

The line of boys ready to receive uniforms in front of the batey was incredible! These kids have never had anything new and really never had anything that fit. These uniforms were complete with Nike undershirts, sliding shorts, batting gloves, belts, socks, pants, jersey, hats, cups – every piece of equipment they could possibly want. For boys who play with sticks and use milk cartons for gloves, this was quite a shock.

One young man, about 15, leaped in the middle of the field once he received his shoes. He was overjoyed! And that’s the other thing – the field.

When I was here a few months ago, this field was disheveled. Animals roamed it, grass and weeds grew throughout and it was difficult to think that it could be cleaned up enough to play on it.

When we arrived, the field was fenced in with foot length to the home run fence – almost professionally! But then we noticed the grass was still long – too long to field an infield hit. We remarked on how badly they needed a riding lawnmower for the area and were told they only had a push mower and it was broken.

As we handed out the uniforms and photographed the children walking through the village with their new uniforms, we were told that the field had just been mowed and chalked! This community pulled together to make this field the best they possibly could.

We knew they had it in them. They just needed the motivation and opportunity. It was amazing to see them rise to the occasion and let the kids know how valued they are, especially on Father’s Day.

When the kids assembled on the field and began playing, the greatest thing to watch was not just the purity of the ballgame at hand and the incredible talent of these young boys, but the fact that many men lined the field to watch – most of them, fathers. These men would normally be in the bar in the center of the batey.

Today, they were supporting the boys. They were proud. It makes the verse, “and a little child will lead them” even more powerful than it has ever been to me personally. I felt it there.

In fact, I thought, “If you build it, He will come” and the “he” was not Pujols or any mortal being. The “He” was God. There was no mistaking it. Yes, indeed, if you build it He will come.

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“Through this center, we not only influence individuals, but also inspire them to influence communities. One such innovative step taken by this project is Child Parliament.”

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. The cardinal functions of the legislature include overseeing of administration, passing of budget, ventilation of public grievances, and discussing various subjects like development plans, international relations and national policies.

In a similar fashion, in order to create a growing awareness among children about the Indian political system, a Child Parliament was started, identifying the potential among children and nominating them as ministers of concerned departments.

The objectives of the Child Parliament include:

• making the children aware of their needs
• protecting the rights of children
• making the children advocates for the neighboring children
• teaching children responsibility and duty
• enabling children to make right decisions
• enhancing their problem-solving skills
• providing quality education to children
• inspiring children to be role models to the community
• inculcating leadership qualities at a young age
• building self-confidence and self-sufficiency
• creating awareness among children of important health issues
• motivating children to dream of a prosperous future

Child Parliament functions just like the Indian Parliamentary System. Child Parliament consists of numerous ministers, each selected in a democratic manner through casting votes.

The finance minister is in control of the Children’s Bank. Children save their money in  the Children’s Bank.

The education minister is concerned with the academic performances of the children and how to encourage them to go to school regularly. Apart from this, it is necessary to enhance the communication skills of the students, increase their desire to learn, and encourage children to study well.

This spiritual/ethical minister deals with the importance of the fear of God and the attitude of children. This minister arranges for conventions, sets a good choir, practices new songs, and arranges for children’s retreat and spiritual activities.

The sports minister conducts games for the people in the village, mainly during  school vacations so that all children can participate and share love with one another.

The social welfare minister deals with issues related to electricity, water and child protection.

The electrical ministers is in charge of electrical items such as tube lights, lamps, bulbs, etc. He conducts training sessions on how to save electricity. Global warming projects are also conducted by him.

The public works minister is in charge of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.

The arts and culture minister conducts talents show for children. He must be skilled enough to acknowledge their talents. He also conducts cultural programs for the children.

The health minister ensures cleanliness in the village and can report problems to concerned authorities. He must be aware of communal diseases and take needed steps to prevent them.

The minister of food and human rights focuses on helping villagers understand the importance of storing food properly and avoiding any waste.

Through Child Parliament, children have become aware of their rights. They become responsible citizens of the country. A network of children has been established, and they are exploring their talents and innovative ideas in a host of creative activities. Confidence and self-reliance is developed among the children.

The Child Parliament has helped achieve many things:

• Child Bank was started in 12 child development centers in the area, and children are saving the little money they get from their parents.
• Trees were planted in villages in the area. Almost 40 children planted trees for a better environment, and an awareness program was organized in nearby villages about global warming.
• A rally was organized to encourage people follow traffic rules.
• An awareness program concerning the ill effects of drug abuse and smoking was conducted.

These children, who are the ministers of the Child Parliament, went to nearby villages and found out the issues prevalent among children. They approached the local leaders and spoke about the Child Parliament.

Not only that, they went a step ahead and demonstrated Child Parliament. Through their demonstration, many children who were school dropouts decided to rejoin the school.

Many children volunteered to start Child Parliament in their own communities. Thus, eight community Child Parliaments have been started in different villages in Madurai with the help of the local political leaders.

In statewide election for Child Parliament, the children of St. Andrews were selected at both district level and state levels. Among 200 children who participated in this election, it is a matter of pride that four of the Compassion children were selected.

Nicholas proudly says,

“We are actively involved in transforming villages through Compassion. We instill social values in the little minds from their childhood. This enables them to become active, influential leaders of the society. The children raised through this project are now significant leaders in various fields such as industrial, political and social areas. I feel a deep sense of achievement on seeing my children achieving great heights in the society.”

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Thomas Swaroop

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

This past summer, I interned at Compassion in the Global Ministry Center. There, I worked to establish the Delivery Community* as well as to formulate a detailed road map for upcoming project management training intended to further equip and empower Compassion staff.

When I started my internship, President and CEO Wess Stafford offered a revolutionary idea during my first day of staff orientation. He held up his hands and used his thumbs and index fingers to form a triangle. This top-down pyramid is the traditional model of leadership.

Yes, I’d heard this before. This is how the working world functions — the base supports the top, and the top, due to its position, makes the final call on all projects, decisions, etc.

But then Wess moved his hands, flipping that triangle upside down and said this is how leadership is supposed to look.

I gawked as Wess explained he may be in a position of leadership, but that didn’t mean he was at the top of the triangle.

Instead, he calmly clarified that because of his position in leadership, he was the bottom point of the triangle. As a leader, it is his responsibility to serve and support the rest of the organization — the staff, the global partners and, most important, the sponsored children.

That day I squirmed in my chair, confused by this role reversal. This is not how business functions. This is not how projects are executed. This is not how the world works.

But while this is not how the world works, this is how the kingdom of God is meant to be.

Philippians 2:3-8 adds value to this worldview and the concept of servant leadership. In the New International Version (yes, I prefer this version over ESV) this reads:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

When I arrived at Compassion, I came as a culturally aware college student from a secular university. I saw these verses in Philippians as vital to following Christ. Yes, implement them at home, with friends, at church and in the streets. But in my occupation?

Surely, this didn’t have a place in the power plays of the business world.

Due to previous work environments at my past jobs, I was baffled by the integration of Compassion’s core values into the attitudes and work of all staff, from the bottom to the top.

Why was everyone so nice? Why is everyone poured into their work 100 percent with no complaints? Why aren’t people fighting their way to the top of the ladder, of the triangle? Why do they want to help me? Why does my role matter to them? Why do I matter?

I didn’t understand the idea of the upside-down triangle. Perhaps more striking, I didn’t see its place in a grand-scale organization.

But after a mere month my heart changed as a result of working in such a Christ-centered environment.

Through what I (far right) saw in others, I saw a need to change within myself. I was blessed every day by the servant attitude my co-workers and supervisors exhibited.

I learned that to lead I must serve, that to give is better than to receive, and that to help others is better than to solely help myself.

As you carry out your work, regardless of your position, you are in a position of power. You have the opportunity to lead, to execute and to finish projects that matter to the people involved.

I encourage you to not buy the lie, the worldly and culturally acceptable belief that traditional leadership denotes power. We don’t need all-knowing decision-makers. We need responsible leaders who lead by example — by Christ’s example.

Compassion has a long history of good stewardship. Partake in that legacy. Do nothing out of selfish ambition, be consistently humble and look to the interest of others. Actively seek to invert the triangle, and then watch God’s kingdom impact our world.

*The Delivery Community is targeted to Compassion staff interested and engaged in Project Management. Through regular group meetings and the Intranet, employees come together to learn how to more effectively manage projects and deliver them on schedule, on budget, and within scope.

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My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

The Leadership Academy in Guatemala was implemented in 2005 for the first time to prepare students to enter the Leadership Development Program (LDP) and find good candidates for the program.

Maria, the former LDP Specialist in Guatemala who is now the LDP Specialist for the Central America and Caribbean region, says,

“We believe God wants students to be successful, and it is our goal, through the Leadership Academy, to help students rest on this promise and help them to be more prepared and confident as they start walking on the path God has for them at the university.

“The idea consisted of a leveling up camp called ‘Leadership Academy.’ Guatemala learned from the Dominican Republic’s experience … We adjusted their idea to our country’s needs and came up with a two-to three-week camp to offer tutoring, leadership training and orientation as the final stage of the selection process.”

The young men and women are at the academy for two to three weeks. They wake up every day at 6 a.m. and don’t go to bed until 10 p.m. They learn about topics such as how to manage their time, how to be more responsible, how to study, how to have a stronger spiritual life, and how to be a good leader.

They also learn more about math, physics, history, orthography and writing, and even about attending church. Devotionals are made as the day starts and as it ends, giving them the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with God.

After the camp, a report is compiled about all the participants by all the people that took part in the Leadership Development Academy: tutors, director, LDP specialists, etc. Then the LDP team takes the report to the advisory group that will guide them in making the final decision about which young men and women will enter the Leadership Development Program.

The academy not only helps the LDP team select the leadership development students, but also helps to prepare the youths for what awaits them at university. Maria continues,

“After actively participating in the Leadership Development Academy, our new students will be better equipped regarding their level of cognitive, emotional and relational abilities to start their university and leadership development program challenges.

“They will also come out with stronger relationships as a group, and with their specialists, a foundation that can be built upon in the following years.”

Elvira, Cindy, Edgar, Julio, Edgar Geovani, Gladys and María shared with me their incredible testimonies.

They shared their dreams of becoming a computer science engineer, a professional nurse, a mechanical engineer, a nutritionist, a theologian. Each has a unique story to share. Julio, 18, entered our child sponsorship program when he was 7 years old.

“With the help Compassion International gave me through my sponsors, I was able to finish my high school,” states Julio, who is the leader of a choreography group in his church and also works for the Bible Sunday School at his church in Petén, Guatemala.

Elvira has a different testimony from the others: She was in this academy last year, but was not admitted to the Leadership Development Program.

“I was not expecting a ‘no’ as an answer, but thanks to that, I now know what I really want from life and what I want to be: a professional nurse. If it was not for the ‘no,’ I perhaps would be studying something different … something wrong for what I now know is what I really want.”

Cindy is a bit more shy than the others at the beginning, but she then starts talking with a more secure tone in her voice. “I love to teach, but I want to become a computer science engineer,” she says. Cindy has a heritage of teaching as her parents are still teachers in her hometown, a village nearby.

Edgar is a young man with perhaps the hardest past experience among these seven young people. With tears he says, “People have told me I can’t do things. I have chosen to not believe them but still it is so hard for me.” His dream is to become a mechanical engineer.

Life for Gladys has been difficult, too, but thanks to Compassion International, she says she is a happy and very blessed person. Her dream is to study theology and after that, become a missionary.

María wants to become a nutritionist, and she has been in our program since she was 7 years old. “Compassion International has given me the chance to study and finish up my high school,” says María, whose nickname is “Luli.”

Edgar Geovani is a daring young man whose dream is to create his own mechanical devices. “If others are capable of inventing things, why not me? Why not?” he asks. His resolution leaves me impressed and mute. He is so ambitious!

Each of these students has experienced difficult times. As the interview was over, Julio said to me, with an urgent tone in his voice,

“I want you to know that some weeks ago I was assaulted. Those three burglars pulled out their guns after they searched me and yes, they attempted to shoot at me many times … but the guns got stuck!

“The thieves were confused and did not understand what was going on with their guns but I know what happened: God heard my prayers I made at that moment and guarded me from a certain death.”

I know Julio has found a special place before God’s eyes, and He has great plans for him!

Elvira has a different story to tell. Her dad was an alcoholic during her childhood and that caused many troubles at home with her mom and her siblings.

“When I accepted Jesus into my heart, I asked Him to change my dad. Time kept passing by and I did not see any changes in his life. There was a time my dad was really sick, and I thought he was going to die. I did not want that to happen to him and prayed hard for him to recover.”

Her dad made it and ever since, he quit drinking. “I now know God perhaps won’t answer right away, but he will answer in His time” says Elvira, with a wide smile on her face.

Edgar has also faced tough times. With his gaze always down as we talked, and tears he fought hard not to come, Edgar said,

“My past has been a hard one. My mom had to work in the local market and I was embarrassed by that because I had friends who had everything they wanted … and I did not.

“I always heard my friends saying that they went to watch a movie, that their parents bought them new toys, that their rooms had everything … I remained silent because my life was not even close to that.”

All of this could have made them abandon pursuing their dreams. But they still dream they have bright and promising futures, away from the oppression of poverty.

Each student who attended the Leadership Development Academy is perhaps praying at this very moment to get in, waiting for that phone call that will let them know if they will be part of the Leadership Development Program or not.

“We spend Christmas and New Year’s time pretty stressed waiting for the answer,” says one of the prospects. But, he adds, “This is worth it”.

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Something Wendy Kopp said at the Summit struck me about how we approach leading others toward caring for those in need.

Wendy Kopp is the founder and CEO of Teach for America, a non-profit that asks college graduates to commit to two years of teaching in under-resourced schools.

She was asked how she approaches asking these graduates — some of who could otherwise accept six-figure jobs — to sacrifice so much, putting aside wealth and “success” to teach in schools many would avoid. She said (and this is paraphrased, as my little hand could only scribble so fast as she answered):

You’re giving people an opportunity to be part of something larger, and of significance — people want that … are we afraid to ask people to sacrifice and set a high bar? Your own personal conviction about the work makes it easy to ask others to sacrifice because you’re giving them a gift that will change their lives.

When we tell others about the opportunities to care for those in need, we might feel like we’re putting a burden on them, but far from burdening them, we’re giving them a gift. We’re giving them the opportunity to enter into another aspect of our relationship with Jesus as we follow him.

Several times when talking with someone who has come across the book I wrote about responding to poverty, they say they’re scared to read it. So many are scared of this issue of poverty, and understandably so — it’s big and hairy and complicated. And God might ask us to do scary things.

But I think there’s a third reason people are afraid of poverty — they’re worried a big, fat load of guilt is going to be placed on their shoulders. We’ve been bombarded by so much guilt when it comes to poverty, seeing so many images that evoke guilt and being told “shame on you for drinking that Starbucks instead of caring for a baby.”

Are we guilty for not responding to God’s mandate to care for those in need? Yes, but God hasn’t appointed us as judges of others. He has appointed us as messengers of his grace. And I think when we do approach others not with guilt but with grace, they grasp that helping those in need isn’t about checking off a requirement on our good-Christian to-do list so that we can not feel so guilty. It’s about our relationship with Christ — about following him, obeying him, and knowing him all the more as we become like him in our service to others.

“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 22:16, NIV, emphasis added)

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