New Life Church also has a number of members who support the charity Compassion by sponsoring children.
Who is Compassion?
Compassion is a leading Christian child development ministry, which is Christ centred, child focused and church based. It is one of New Life Church's chosen charities to care for the poor.
What does Compassion do?
Compassion works exclusively through local churches overseas to release children from economic, social, physical and spiritual poverty. Children who attend Compassion projects come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. We help the neediest children in a community regardless of their faith.
When children learn of their worth in Christ other aspects of their lives begin to flourish, which is why Compassion takes time to introduce children to Jesus. Last year alone, more than 154,000 children came to know Christ through the work of Compassion.
Compassion sponsored children grow up with the skills and resources they need to find employment to support themselves and their families. As they live out the values they have been taught many become change makers in their communities.
Churches that partner with Compassion also find their congregations swelling in size as they reach out and care for the most vulnerable in their community.
What does Compassion work in this way?
It is our Christian responsibility to help the poor as Christ did. Children are the greatest victims of poverty but they also hold the potential to break the cycle of deprivation.
Compassion believes that connecting local churches with committed sponsors through its child development programme is the most strategic way to end poverty.
Through our experience, the local church is in the best position identify children who are at greatest risk and to provide holistic care for children in their community. The local church leaders are often the most trusted individuals in their communities and church based projects provide long term stability and accountability for Compassion projects.
When did Compassion start?
Compassion began in 1952 and has over 50 years experience of working with some of the poorest communities in the world. In that time more than one million children have attended Compassion programmes.
Where does Compassion work?
Compassion works in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. With the help of sponsors across the world more than a million children are currently receiving care in local church projects.
How does Compassion operate?
Individual sponsors in the UK contribute £21 a month to support one child in a Compassion programme. As a sponsor they will ensure the child they support receives healthcare, education, social care, vocational training and spiritual nurturing. Sponsors are also encouraged to build up a relationship through prayer and the writing of letters.
Sponsorship lasts until a child finishes their education, which is usually between 16 and 23 years of age depending on the country the child lives in and their personal circumstances. If the situation of a sponsored child alters and they leave the Compassion project, their sponsors will be informed immediately.
If a sponsor has to end their support, Compassion will immediately look for a new sponsor and the development of the child will continue uninterrupted.
How does Compassion ensure the integrity of its programmes?
Compassion is committed to making sure that their programmes are as effective as possible and at least 80 per cent of their expenditure goes to benefit children. Regular internal and external audits ensure that Compassion’s programmes are run efficiently. Compassion has been recognised by a number of independent accountability organisations for its outstanding financial integrity.
How can you find out more and who can you speak to?
Pete Townson is an advocate for Compassion and a member of New Life Church. If you're interested in sponsoring a child or would like to find out more, please see Pete and his wife Sarah on a Sunday at NLC, email him at pete_townson@hotmail.com or call him on 07941 262062.
Compassion's own website - www.compassionuk.org
The Jubiliee Initiative - www.jcceg.co.uk/the-jubilee-initiative/about-the-initiative/