Last week while I was at the Leadership Summit I was introduced to the Compassion Leadership Development Program. I have always admired what organizations like Compassion are doing to support children around the world but up to this point have not committed to sponsoring a child on an ongoing basis (Gasp! I’m a little ashamed to admit that… it’s only $30/month, right?).
Anyway, this week I learned about this program and I thought “This is it! This is the way I’m supposed to be involved!” I was so excited. I took the brochure back to my hotel room and started reading all the fine print… I was ready to sign the dotted line and start sponsoring a young leader…
but, then I read this all important detail:
Your sponsorship of $300 per month will help a promising young person continue down the road to professional Christian leadership.
And my heart sank…
$300 a month! Don’t misunderstand me. I’m sure it actually costs this much. In fact I’m quite sure that it does. I don’t know what I thought it would cost. I hadn’t really gotten to that detail because I had found a cause that my heart could resonate with, but this hurdle has brought me to a screeching halt.
So, my BIG PRAYER is to figure out what God wants me to do with this. Do I need to partner with others to meet this monthly contribution? Is there some other way that I can give to this program? How can I be a part of helping young leaders have the opportunity for continued eduction and Christian leadership development?
Will you join me in praying my BIG PRAYER?
Jenni Catron is the Executive Director of 
I have you covered here….
Praying for God’s insight for the future of new young leaders!!
yes ma’am. i’d love to answer any questions you have about this.
here are a couple of links from my experience and shaun’s
http://www.flowerdust.net/2008/02/15/uganda-if-it-wasnt-for-compassion-i-wouldnt-have-found-jesus/
shaun: http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/moses_compassion_international_ldp_uganda/
this is so great Jenni… i love how honest you are with your thought process in this journey.
let us know what you decide to do!!!
Jenni, I know exactly what you mean about knowing what to do. I have struggled with this so often. I would give everything I have to this organization and others like it, but “know” my current obligations won’t allow it. Then I feel guilty that I have so much and want to give it all away! When I give, then my mailbox is overwhelmed and I have to just throw stuff away before I open it. This is certainly a matter for prayer and I will pray about this for you. BTW, we have a group in my office that sponsors a child and it has worked beautifully.
I’m praying for you too. I sponsored a girl several years ago through Compassion from Thailand. She got accepted to the Leadership Development Program two years ago, and I had no idea how I was going to make the payments. I did find several people to help partner with me, which is kind of neat because Siriporn has a whole team of people praying and supporting her. You might see if others in your church would partner with you, as a church. Also, I have written about Siriporn on my blog, so check it out!
P.S. Compassion is an amazing ministry, and is really doing what they say! I have the utmost confidence in their integrity. I’m a volunteer Advocate for the organization, and it’s the most rewarding ministry I’ve ever had in my life, changing lives — one child at a time. It will bless you as much as it does the child.
is it something you and your staff can partner in? or a bible study group?
Yes, good ideas Tam. The partnership needs to fall under one name, though, such as your name or that of your church. I have a different person for each month and it works out really well. But we all make our checks out to Compassion and they are sent in by me, with the receipt for my girls’ account. Really a blessing to all involved! It’s my goal to go to her graduation in two years!