Totally Worth It: What in the World Happened in 2016?
If you’re like me, you are welcoming 2017 with open arms. Forget you, 2016. You were hard! Bring it in for a hug, 2017. I will be walking boldly away from a year where our world faced hurt, hate and heartache. But if you’re really like me, you also don’t want to head into the new year without looking back and seeing, really seeing and celebrating, the joy amongst the trials. What happened in 2016 – in the world, the Compassion world, your world?
Thank You for Advocating for Children in Poverty in India!
Over the past week you – sponsors, donors, child advocates, partners and friends – have sent more than 33,000 letters to Congress ahead of Tuesday’s testimony by Compassion before the House Foreign Affairs Committee! Here are four important facts that have come out from the committee’s hearing.
How You Can Advocate for Compassion’s Program in India
Due to the government of India’s decision to restrict Compassion’s funds from reaching our partners this year, many of our centers in India are are at risk of permanent closure, leaving more than 130,000 kids – the most vulnerable of India’s population – even more vulnerable. But on Dec. 6, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives will hear testimony from Compassion about the situation with the Indian government. And your voice could help us find a resolution. Will you help us advocate for the children and communities we serve in India?
Does Compassion International Do Church Planting?
There is a common challenge in many countries where we work. We know where children are living in extreme poverty. But, there are often no local Christ-centered churches in their communities — or no church that intentionally disciples children. Because of strategic partnerships, we’ve imagined a way to change that.
When Will I Receive a Letter From the Child I Sponsor?
Because letters may have taken two to three months to be delivered in the past, something needed to be done to help us deliver letters more efficiently. If we could speed up the time that it takes for a letter to be exchanged back and forth between supporters and children, it would also enrich the relationships between them. For several years we prayerfully worked to bring this vision to fruition. Then in April 2016, we began using a new system designed to help us deliver letters faster than ever before.
How Do the Poor Describe Poverty?
A survey conducted in Niger by the Office of the Prime Minister asked the poor of that country to describe poverty. Their answers included: dependence, marginalization, scarcity, incapacity and restrictions on rights and freedoms.
Compassion Named Xerox 2016 In-Plant Hero
There’s a fundamental understanding among Compassion folk — whether we are sponsors, donors, volunteers or staff — that His Kingdom awaits, and we’ve got work to do. This collective passion that propels our mission to release children from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty is matched by our commitment to doing it well.
Jimmy Mellado: What Leadership and the Decathlon Have in Common
I have constantly found that my athletic experience informs my leadership. Winning, losing, discipline, goals, character, strategy, focus, disappointment, set-backs, victories, teamwork, injuries, resource allocation, time-management, energy management—they’re all a part of leading an organization.
What Do You Know About Brazil? [INFOGRAPHIC]
What would you say if someone asked you the question, “What do you know about Brazil?” Could you spout off some fun Brazil facts? Share a little about the community the child you sponsor lives in?
Is a Nonprofit Internship the Best Choice for You?
In my eyes, the trade-off of tan lines for résumé lines wasn’t worth it if there wasn’t any eternal value, purpose or opportunity for growth in summer internship assignments. My advisors stressed the importance of interning, but I kept shying away from surrendering one last summer in the sun to the corporate world. That is, until I started looking within the nonprofit sector.
Small Matters
In their new book Small Matters: How Churches & Parents Can Raise Up World-Changing Children, Greg Nettle, President of Stadia Global Church Planting, and Compassion President Jimmy Mellado, explore Christ’s command to take care of children, share extraordinary stories of kids they’ve personally encountered around the world, and offer tips on caring for children in your home, church and community.
Changing Lives One Gift Card at a Time
As Family Pastor, I’m always looking for new and creative ways to get the youth of our church involved. Kids want to make an impact in the world but often times they just don’t know how.
