WordJourney Magazine

I first learned about Compassion International back during the late 1980s, during a time when fewer than 200,000 children were being assisted by this Christian child outreach program.  Since then, the program has grown and expanded and just this week the organization announced that reached an important milestone — one million children sponsored.

As a sponsor — we are currently assisting a nine year old girl in Guatemala — I’ve been able to see how Compassion International handles change and I must say that I remain impressed. Importantly, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the center of work, just as it was back in when it was founded in 1952. 57 years later, the organization has expanded beyond South Korea — a country that no longer requires its assistance — and is now in twenty-five nations.

What Child Is This?

Fittingly, the one millionth sponsor is from South Korea and she is sponsoring a child in Togo, Africa. The eight year old boy lives with his father and three siblings just outside of the capital city, in a country decimated by the effects of AIDs. Togo also represents Compassion’s newest country so the symbolism of someone from the country representing its initial work helping someone from its newest country is truly amazing.

“This particular sponsorship is very special in that it represents a milestone for our ministry,” said Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International. ”Compassion is now serving 1 million children and their sponsors! One million!”

You Can Help Too

Recently, Compassion International asked their current sponsors if they’d agree to raising monthly support from the current $32 to $38.  It seems that currency fluctuations and economic turmoil is making it difficult for some country programs to pay their staff and support their children, thus the appeal from Compassion.

You can still help a child out at the current rate or start paying the higher amount which goes in effect on August 1st. Or, if you aren’t able to sponsor a child right now, any gift would be more than welcome for that I am certain.

To God be the glory!

Source: Compassion International

See Also — Personal Finances & God’s Money

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