These Pro Athletes Team Up With Compassion for Children in Poverty

One in six children lives in extreme poverty worldwide. That’s more than 350 million children waking up every day unsure if they’ll have the food, water or medicine they need. Their daily struggles threaten to rob these little ones of hope for a better tomorrow.

Because Jesus calls us to care for the most vulnerable as he does, Compassion International works to release children from poverty in his name. That’s why we partner with pro athletes who believe in this mission  — athletes who want to do more than win games. They invest their influence and resources in local churches to provide education, health care and the hope of the gospel to children who need it most.

Let’s meet a few of the professional athletes who partner with Compassion to help meet children’s needs and inspire them to dream for a bright future.

Meet the Athletes Bringing Joy to Children in Poverty

JD Bertrand, Bradley Pinion and Team Visit the Dominican Republic

When professional athletes visit Compassion centers around the world, they trade the screams of fans for the joyful shouts of children. And in the process, they find a new kind of victory: hope for children living in poverty. Recently in the Dominican Republic, kids in Compassion’s program stepped up to the plate in a baseball game against pro football players. Punter Bradley Pinion and head coach Raheem Morris joined in the fun, but the experience went deeper than friendly competition.

“Every single one of us has been transformed because of the opportunity to meet these incredible kids,” Pinion said.

Watch Now: Atlanta Falcons Team Up with Compassion

Cameron Dicker, Sam Ehlinger and Team Visit Guatemala

In Guatemala, players Cameron Dicker and Sam Ehlinger got a close-up look at how Compassion’s vocational training equips teens and young adults for future jobs. The athletes even became part of the lesson, receiving spa treatments from students practicing their beauty industry skills.

Jameis Winston Teams Up with Compassion

Thousands of miles away in Rwanda, quarterback Jameis Winston witnessed the resilience and joy of a nation once scarred by genocide. “I am so thankful for your [Rwanda’s] gratitude, togetherness, unwavering faith and dependence on the Lord,” he said. “Y’all taught us that no matter how big or how little, pray.”

Watch this video to hear why Jameis Winston partners with Compassion to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Inspiring Hope as a Global Church

Together, we’re showing children in poverty that they’re more than the circumstances they were born into. We’re showing them they are known, loved and protected by their heavenly Father — and by his global Church.