Not long ago I had a couple opportunities to visit some countries in the developing world where I grew up. And I was reminded anew at the level of disparity between what I saw there and our lives here in the United States. I also had a vivid reminder of the power of the church to bring life and community transformation to those whom the Scriptures compel us to serve.

Even though I grew up close to so many who were suffering, it’s not hard to forget their struggle as we often get caught up in our own world and agenda. I think that’s what happened to me for long time as I struggled with my personal response to the plight of the poor. We’ve all seen the commercials and print ads with the desperate reality of the life and death situation that millions of people deal with every day.

Recently, I began to re-immerse myself in the world of people in desperate need. When you experience first-hand, a person who’s life hangs in the balance, your perspective becomes very clear. The definition of “hard times” gets recalibrated.

Given WCA’s commitment to remain focused on leadership development, we decided to partner with Compassion International—a proven evangelical ministry called to address the complex challenge of bringing holistic help to those most devastated by the effects of extreme poverty.

Compassion International is centered on mobilizing the church to release children and leaders from poverty in Jesus’ name. They work exclusively through a network of over 4,600 local churches in 26 countries that minister in some of the most impoverished areas of the world. They understand that to implement a great child development program, it requires powerful, effective churches—churches that are led by visionary indigenous Christian leaders. That's why Willow Creek Association is honored to partner with Compassion to expand The Leadership Summit to dozens of global venues where we've never been before. Their heart beats for the child in dire circumstances, but they are also passionate for the churches that serve them.

This spring I invite you to join Willow Creek Community Church and hundreds of other churches around the country, who, in the spring are committed to focusing at least one weekend to create awareness and engage as Christ would around the issues of extreme poverty.

Past experience shows this kind of engagement not only allows people to “be Christ” to the world, it is also extremely formative in the spiritual life of each person who gets involved.

Many churches develop their own approach to this, but through our partnership with Compassion International, we've prepared a free kit to help you plan and implement a special Compassion Sunday service as a way to complement what your church is already doing in the area of missions.

All you need to do is host a simple but powerful weekend program that will educate, envision, and engage the people in your church with needs of the poor around the world—giving them a chance to respond through Child Sponsorship/Discipleship.

Simply call Compassion International toll free at 866-607-5162 and you will be equipped with the resources and support you need to schedule and host your Compassion Sunday service. Then, go to www.towardwonder.com/compassion for FREE materials to support the service – message transcripts, videos and much more.

As an artist in the local church, you play a critical role in connecting people’s hearts to the desperate reality of those in need. The ‘moments’ you create play out through the transformation of the hearts you touch. When people are transformed and become more open to the spirit working through them, their actions spread the hope of Christ to the thousands who depend on it to keep them alive.

Thank you for what you do – keep pressing on.

Jimmy Mellado