It is a joy and honor for me to offer a few words of reflection and appreciation as Compassion Colombia marks the incredible milestone of 50 years of service in releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
And it is so appropriate that this book for children has been created to celebrate this very special anniversary. Deep care and concern for children has been central to Compassion’s mission from our very beginning.
The first seeds of Compassion International’s ministry were planted in 1952, when an American evangelist named Eve- rett Swanson traveled to South Korea. He set out intending to minister to the U.S. servicemen fighting in the Korean War, but God had a different plan. Everett’s heart was forever changed when he clearly sensed God’s call to care for the many children who had been orphaned by the war. What began as a ministry to Korean orphans eventually grew into the global ministry of Compassion International that we know today — now serving millions of children across not only Asia but also Latin America and Africa.
In any crisis, and in any poverty context, it’s always children who suffer the most. They are weaker than adults.They are far more vulnerable than adults. They are less resourceful than adults, rarely having any physical, political, economic or social power. But at the same time, they matter more deeply to Jesus than we can even imagine. It was Jesus who said, in the middle of a very busy life: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14, NIV).
I’m so grateful that, across these many years, Compassion has maintained our founder’s heart and God’s call to care for children in need. All children are precious in the eyes of Jesus and are worthy of our vigilant protection. All children are born with immense value, potential and purpose. All children deserve a life that is free from all forms of poverty — spiritual, economic, social and physical. And all children should be given an opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus.
For 50 years, Compassion Colombia and our deeply com- mitted local church partners have been faithfully working to bring that reality to life throughout the country. And the vast fruit of those efforts can be clearly seen in the many lives that have been transformed. What a blessing it is to know that deca- des of alumni have now been set on a path toward release from poverty and are positively influencing their world as thriving followers of Jesus.
As you engage with the following pages of this book, I pray you will rejoice with us in the work the Lord has done and is continuing to do through Compassion Colombia. It is holy work that is visible in churches being strengthened, communities being reached, children and families being served, and God’s kingdom expanding.
May the beautiful legacy of Compassion Colombia’s 50 years of ministry continue to multiply through the many lives that have been touched since its inception and the multitudes more who will surely be reached in the years that are yet to come.
With deep gratitude and appreciation,
Santiago «Jimmy» Mellado
President and CEO
Compassion International
Making it to celebrate 50 years of ministry in Colom- bia fills us with deep gratitude for God’s work throughout these five decades. It also fills us with many emotions and feelings.
Fifty years is a lot: half a century. Wow! Some readers probably weren’t even born when Compassion arrived in Colombia and began its ministry with impoverished children. There are many stories and anecdotes of this work, as you will see in this book. Of course, it was no easy feat to begin this journey of child development through Christian ministry. Many people invested their time and effort, and sacrificed in order to answer the calling to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name in Colombia.
Hundreds of Christian churches have been supported by Compassion to serve children, and by the mobilization of local resources dedicated to children’s development and protection. We have seen God’s will and work through the testimonies of our children, adolescents, youth and their families, and how local churches have brought hope to each community through a comprehensive program.
With this book we want to give glory to God and praise His name, because it is through Him, we have been able to move forward and see the impact and results of our mission in Colombia. We also want to acknowledge the work of thousands of people that have helped throughout the years to build what Compassion into what it is now. This includes the national office’s workers, church pastors partnered with Compassion, Child Development Center’s directors, tutors, quality insurers, program specialists, administrators, health specialists, teams of psychologists, members of each churches’ society outreach committee, and volunteers. Finally, we want to highlight the support of thousands of sponsors and donors all around the world, who make it possible for us to have over 90 thousand participants.
God has been faithful and will continue to be so! We can as- sure, with certainty, that as His word says:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22
God’s love, guidance, direction, provision and faithfulness are infinite, and His work continues not only in Colombia but in 29 other countries where Compassion is present.
We hope that when reading this commemorative book about our first 50 years we can rejoice together with the story, testi- monies, anecdotes and illustrations that we have put together.
Glory to God.
Juan Carlos Castellanos M.
National Director
Compassion Colombia
2017–Present
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