A movement where Christ is named
Compassion International
Relief & justice · Founded 1952 · by Everett Swanson · Colorado Springs, United States
Compassion International is a Christian child development and sponsorship organization founded in 1952 by American evangelist Everett Swanson, who was moved by the plight of orphaned children after the Korean War. It works through local churches to release children from poverty in Jesus' name, providing one-to-one sponsorship that supports a child's physical, educational, social, and spiritual growth over the long term.
What they do
Compassion pairs sponsors with individual children through local churches, funding education, health care, nutrition, and mentoring.
It delivers programs from prenatal and early childhood support through youth development and leadership training, all run by partner churches in each community.
It also connects sponsors and children through letter writing, building personal relationships across distance.
The Scripture behind the work
Where the door leads
Compassion works entirely through the local church, sharing the love of Jesus alongside practical care for each child. Its stated mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus' name, holding physical and spiritual growth together. A reader can respond by sponsoring a child or writing letters of encouragement.
Connect to the real thing
The Living Bread is a door, not the destination. The life is with Christ and his people.
People also ask
How does Compassion work with churches?
Compassion partners with local churches in each country, which run the child development programs directly within their own communities.
What does sponsorship provide?
Sponsorship supports a child's education, health, nutrition, and spiritual and social development, along with the chance to build a relationship through letters.