Christ-centred. Church-driven. Child-focused.
These phrases are what we at Compassion call “the three C’s”—and they set the tone for everything we do. If you’ve been journeying with us for any length of time, these words may ring familiar in your ears. But what do they really mean?
In our new three-part blog series, Compassion Foundations, we’ll take an in-depth look at the meaning behind each of these significant phrases, which are our organization’s strategic anchors.
Today, we’re looking at what makes Compassion church-driven.
In this blog…
In the fight against poverty, the Church is not just beneficial—it’s indispensable. At Compassion, we recognize that while many people and organizations can and do work tirelessly to alleviate poverty, the local church holds a unique and irreplaceable role in addressing poverty and injustice. The Church is not merely a partner in our efforts… it is the heartbeat of our mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
In this blog, we explore the immense value and critical involvement of the local church in Compassion’s mission. We will take a deeper look into how this strategic anchor is paramount to enabling holistic child development and enduring transformation in the lives of children, families and communities.
A biblical mandate: The Church and mission
The Church is called to be a beacon of hope and a source of tangible support for those in need, embodying Christ’s compassion and love in our world. This calling is deeply rooted in Scripture, where we see a consistent mandate for God’s people to care for the poor and vulnerable.
In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus explicitly states that caring for those in need is equivalent to serving Him: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This passage underscores the intrinsic value and dignity of every person, and the Church’s mandate to meet their needs as an expression of our faith.
The Church is and has always been divinely appointed and empowered for this mission. Commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself, the Church is called to be an outpost of His Kingdom on Earth, continuing His work of compassion.
From the earliest days of Christianity, we see the Church acting as a powerful force for good—addressing both spiritual and practical needs and ensuring that “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34). They whole-heartedly adopted both the Great Commission—go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)—and the Great Commandment—to love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:36-40).
The Church has an incredible legacy of mission—one that continues in our world today.
Poverty and generosity in the Bible
Positioned to care: The Church and holistic child development
Local churches are not only commissioned to serve their neighbours, but also uniquely positioned to do so effectively. They are deeply embedded in their communities and equipped with a profound understanding of the specific needs and cultural contexts of those they serve. They are trusted institutions in the communities where Compassion works, known for their unwavering love, care and commitment to their neighbours. This presence allows them to reach individuals and families in ways that external organizations often cannot. The knowledge that the local church possesses about their communities’ unique challenges and strengths enables them to provide tailored support that addresses both immediate needs and long-term development.
One key advantage of local churches is their ability to facilitate holistic child development. Holistic development goes beyond addressing physical needs—it encompasses spiritual, socio-emotional and cognitive growth as well. Churches are well-positioned to provide this comprehensive support because they are rooted in a community-oriented and relational framework. By nurturing every aspect of a child’s life, local churches help create a safe, stable and supportive environment that empowers children to thrive and reach their God-given potential.
The Church’s mandate aligns seamlessly with the principles of holistic child development. The imperative to care for the poor and vulnerable and the expressed value and concern for children found in Scripture create a solid foundation for the Church’s involvement in holistic child development. The Church’s deep presence and enduring commitment make it invaluable in the mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Read how Jesus advocated for children
Maisha’s story: The Church and transformation
So, what is the impact of the Church’s involvement in this mission? Children are released from poverty in Jesus’ name. Children like Maisha.
When Maisha was a child, he was very sick because their family home was not built to keep out the heavy rains. This exposed Miasha to the elements, and he became so sick that his mother had to carry him on her back for miles to the nearest hospital. But she just didn’t have the resources to ensure Maisha could get well and thrive. The situation felt hopeless.
“We were living in a very small and poor house and there were eight of us altogether,” says Maisha. “I was seriously ill during this time.”
Maisha’s family attended their local church, which loved and cared for them through their crisis. Maisha’s church saw his family’s desperate need and the needs of other families in their community, so they opened a brand-new Compassion centre.
“We were just going to church one day when we got the news that Compassion was registering children. I was the first child to get registered at that church,” says Maisha.
Maisha introduced his whole family to Christ. They spend time together reading the Bible.
After being registered, Maisha immediately began receiving life-saving support to recover from his illness. As Maisha recovered, his church continued to pour into his life, and he began to see his dreams come to life. He had always dreamed of being a mason because he wanted to build a better home for his family. His church not only helped him survive, but they empowered Maisha to thrive—providing him with education, emotional support and the opportunity to hear the gospel. Maisha’s life was completely transformed.
“If Maisha would not have been taken in by Compassion, my life would have been very difficult because I was not able to send all the children to school, and Maisha would not have finished school,” says Tabitha, Maisha’s mother.
“Looking ahead, I want to help my community build more houses,” says Maisha. “I will help my community as much as I can. They can pay an affordable price, and I can build them a house.”
Maisha sits in his church. To him, it will always be the place that changed his story and gave him hope.
So, what does it mean to be church-driven? It means the mission of Compassion comes to life through the mandate, presence and transformational power of the Church.
And what about the Canadian church? The same mandate, presence and transformational power apply to the church in Canada, too. We are all invited to continue the ministry that Christ called His followers to—in fact, we are all needed as His hands and feet in our world.
Compassion is honoured to be a bridge—serving the Church around the world and here in Canada. As we work together, we will see many more children released from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Come and be a part of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
