Pastor Mark is launching a new series on the book of James, Jesus’ little brother. Much of the Holy Spirit’s words through James are highly practical regarding our everyday Christian living, including how we treat the poor, oppressed, widows, and orphans. We are certainly not saved or accepted by God because of what we do, but as Martin Luther rightly said, "We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone."
With James 1:27 in mind, we have decided to partner with Compassion International to sponsor impoverished and needy children. According to Compassion International, the organization:
exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty, and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 1.2 million children in 26 countries.
With the launch of the James series, you are able to sponsor children as Jesus leads you to do so at all of our Mars Hill churches. As the Extended Family of Mars Hill Global, you can play a part in changing the direction of the life of a child in Ethiopia through sponsorship.
The goal is to see at least 500 children from Ethiopia sponsored by the people of Mars Hill Global, effectively altering the course of Ethiopia, and the world, for generations to come.
It is only $38 per month to sponsor a child. According to Compassion’s FAQ section on their website, there is so much that your small yet significant amount does:
The children Compassion serves receive, among other things, the opportunity to hear the gospel and learn about Jesus; regular Christian training; educational opportunities and help; health care, hygiene training and supplementary food if necessary; a caring and safe Christian environment to grow in self-confidence and social skills; personal attention, guidance and love.
All that for only $1.26 a day—wow! But sponsorship is far more than a financial transaction. Children and sponsors exchange letters and photos. Sponsors receive periodic updates on their child and have the option of providing gifts to children and their families. Your sponsorship becomes one of the most significant relationships of their lives.
One exciting and unique part of this campaign is that we will focus our efforts and sponsorships on children in Ethiopia. Mars Hill has a vested interest in that country since we will support 40 church planters there by the end of 2014. Compassion International functions through local churches—that being one of the primary reasons that we chose to partner with them. We love the local church and believe that Jesus has ordained his body to continue his Great Commission until he returns. It is our hope and prayer that children from our supported/planted churches would eventually be part of Compassion’s program.
Please begin praying now for a soft heart to receive and obey what Jesus may call you to do. Be praying for the many, many Ethiopian children we are going to sponsor. The best gift we can give these children and subsequently their families is Christ as they hear the saving words of the gospel. But perhaps they might hear of a God "from whom every good gift and every perfect gift comes" more clearly and gladly with a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and clothes on their bodies (James 1:17).
We are blessed to bless. It is indeed a privilege and a grace to give (2 Cor. 8:1–7).
When the Apostle James, says,"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction" (1:27), we believe he learned that from his big brother, Jesus—and we take him seriously! We are so thankful to be a part of what Jesus is doing through Compassion International. We are even more thankful that so many of YOU have made a commitment to Jesus and to a very special child whom he loves. Thank you, Mars Hill and the Extended Family of Mars Hill Global, for being generous and loving. We are praying that through your donated funds, Jesus will save and change lives for eternity!
Below is a map showing 195 local churches in Ethiopia where Mars Hill is sponsoring at least one child.
