Building a Legacy for God's Kingdom
ABOUT COMPASSION
In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty, and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults — all for God’s glory. We also speak out for the needs of children in poverty to compel Christians worldwide to respond to God’s call to “look after orphans and widows” through advocating for children (James 1:27).
ADVANCING GOD'S KINGDOM
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) True life and hope are found only in the redeeming gospel of Jesus Christ. Fighting poverty is more than providing economic resources — it is defeating the fatalistic lie that we are unworthy of God’s love. At the heart of all Compassion’s work is our commitment to releasing children from spiritual poverty. We pursue this commitment with as much fervor as we approach any other type of poverty.
Planting A New Church
Compassion’s church-based efforts are key to its effectiveness. A local church identifies nearby communities that would benefit from ministry and begins to build a reputation there. Compassion comes alongside this “mother church” to support its efforts to establish a permanent “daughter church” in the new community. The mother church continues to mentor and support the new church until it matures enough to support itself. The church grows through its community involvement and its commitment to meet real needs.
Child Development through Sponsorship
How does church planting relate to Compassion’s desire to help release children from poverty? The new church becomes the center for child development and the life-changing experience of child sponsorship. The local Compassion staff members offer a holistic development plan to registered children, aiding them in spiritual, physical and educational growth. The children connect with sponsors who provide love and encouragement.
Partnership Opportunity in Bolivia
Compassion Bolivia recently identified a target area in need of an accessible local Christ-centered church that preaches and lives God's Word. After thoroughly investigating the opportunity, Compassion International has agreed to help raise funds for this church plant and present the information below for your consideration.
The mother church, Iglesia Bautista Misionera Kami, desires to plant a daughter church called Iglesia Bautista Misionera Kenamari Q’ulku. The church plant is in a community called Kenamari Q’ulku, located in the district “E” of the municipality of Colcapirhua, in the province of Quillacollo, Cochabamba state, Bolivia. The community is made up of about 150 families. Each one of these families has an average of 4 children in different ages. Most of the children in the community are left alone at home while their parents go to work or to look for work. Most families in this community are industrious and work in agriculture or livestock, earning approximately $200 (USD) per month.
There are no other ministries working to evangelize this area. It is estimated that only 15 percent of the families are Christian and that 70 percent of families in this area have never heard the name of Jesus. Ceremonies dedicated to mother earth are popular celebrations.
The mother church is currently ministering to 70 local children through a Bible Club and is ready to establish a permanent church presence. Pastor Jorge Aviles (pictured right) has been chosen to pastor the daughter church. He was born in Cochabamba, is a passionate evangelist and has been a missionary in Iraq and Africa. The mother church will support him financially. After investigating the opportunity, Compassion International has agreed to help raise the funds for this church plant. The church has secured the land (pictured right) and is ready to begin construction.
Your Investment
An investment of $37,593.72 will fund the construction of essential core structures for the “daughter" church and needed facilities for a Compassion-assisted student center.
The essential core structures typically include:
- one large meeting room / sanctuary which seats 200 adults
- classrooms
- kitchen / food preparation space
- restrooms
- electricity and water
Join Us
It is our privilege to present this strategic missions opportunity to help grow God’s Church in an area that greatly needs the message of Jesus Christ and the accompanying care that is best delivered through the personal nurture of a loving local church. We believe you will be a prayerful, effective partner with Compassion International and this potential church partner. Together, we can build, plant and enable a new church for effective Christ-centered ministry among the impoverished families of this beautiful country.
Church Plant Timeline
Below is the typical schedule of establishing a new church partner. Specific details of each church plant will be scheduled and communicated as construction plans develop.
- Month 1: Donation received by Compassion International
- Month 2: Proposal matched to donation; bids solicited from screened vendors for construction
- Month 3: Funds sent to Compassion field office
- Month 4: Initial fund disbursement to vendors; construction begins
- Month 5: Initial neighborhood visitations and child registrations begin; construction continues
- Months 5-11: Construction continues; child development center staff training; caregiver orientation
- Month 12: Dedication and launch of ministry at new church
Proposed church plant in Kenamari Q’ulku, Cochabamba, Bolivia
Elements of our approach to planting churches:
Our Ministry Model
Three distinct foundations of how Compassion works:
We focus exclusively on children — “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16, NIV) All programs are aligned with developing children holistically (pre-natal through young adulthood) by addressing physical, spiritual, socio-emotional, economic and educational needs.
We work exclusively with the local church — Compassion believes that the Church is God’s agent for change in a broken world, which is why our programs are only offered through partnership with churches in the developing world that have the same passion for prioritizing and ministering to children.
We keep Jesus at the center of all we do — Children and families are not required to profess Jesus as their Savior to participate in our programs, but we want children to hear the gospel, see living faith and be discipled in the ways of Jesus. To this end, every mother and child registered in our programs receive age-appropriate Bibles, which are replaced as children mature and develop.
“Compassion International started with one man's obedience to God's call of, 'What are you going to do?' The question for us today is, 'What are we going to do?'”
— Wess Stafford, President Emeritus, Compassion International
Compassion Stats at a Glance
Numbers current as of August, 2019.
Total Investment Requested:
$37,593.72
Agoura Bible Fellowship,
Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with Compassion International. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your goals for the kingdom, or any interest you may have in experiencing Compassion's work first-hand. I would be honored to connect with you.
Contact
