Sponsoring a child makes the mission personal
The pastoral leadership of Stonecreek Church in Milton, Georgia, was troubled that missions involvement historically had been reserved for a church’s faithful core. They asked, “How do we engage a broader audience with opportunities for personal, global ministry?” This question led Stonecreek to begin a strategic partnership with Compassion International.
“Child sponsorship through Compassion International has been the perfect introduction to global ministry for the broader audience of regular attenders as well as our engaged ministry partners,” explains Ken Murphy, one of the church’s pastors. “We love our partnership with Compassion International because we are confident that behind every child sponsorship is a holistic development program supported through that child’s local evangelical church. For an investment of $38 per month, sponsors are introduced to personal ministry with their sponsored child through letter-writing correspondence, and opportunities to pray for their sponsor child’s family and learn about the cultural practices and challenges their sponsored child faces.
“Child sponsorship through Compassion empowers local international congregations to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name and minister to the child’s extended family and relationships within the community. It is an effective strategy to build the local church and minister to the poorest of the poor. Child sponsorship places the sponsor (and their family) at the center of this missional endeavor.”
Missions no longer is reserved for a select few, but is accessible and possible for anyone who attends Stonecreek through its partnership with Compassion International.
Murphy continues, “Our desire is to see the personal ministry of child sponsorship change the heart of the sponsor and awaken a desire to engage further in global ministry. Compassion provides consistent communication and better follow-up than we could ever do on our own.
“We are finding that engaging our people personally in the life of a specific child makes missions accessible and possible. It is our ‘front door’ to missions. It’s personal and transformational.”
Stonecreek Church is a 10-year-old congregation located in the sprawling suburbs of North Atlanta. Its mission is to lead people to pursue life in Jesus as their greatest passion. For more information, visit their Web site at www.stonecreekchurch.org. For more on how your church can partner with Compassion International, visit www.compassion.com or call (800) 336-7676 and request the Church Relations office.
