He was Compassion Colombia’s first director. He shared a leadership role with his wife Mildred, who continued doing so after his death. He traveled to the most inhospitable places, visiting affiliate churches and children sponsored by Compassion.
She arrived in Colombia with the purpose of educating other missionaries’ children. She met Vernon, married him, and supported him in directing Compassion Colombia. Under her leadership, Compassion started programs to support schools in twenty one municipalities all over the country
She arrived in Colombia thanks to Mildred Young’s recommendation and settled in Medellín as a missionary. She coordinated the translation of correspondence between children and their sponsors, health brigades and Bible studies programs during the holidays. She was also in charge of making sure each sponsor’s contributions arrived in time and taking accountability for the expense of those resources.
He was the first Colombian director of Compassion Colombia and promoted the change towards Student Centers. He is an ordained pastor of the Lutheran Church of Colombia, where he has exercised important leadership.
He empowered affiliate churches so they would take ownership of Compassion’s programs, giving them more autonomy. He also linked us with the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia. Under his direction we had the first directors meeting, with managers of all programs around the country with the purpose of conducting strategic planning for each church and program.
He led the transition from Student Centers to Child Development Centers and oversaw the implementation of the Leadership and Survival programs. He was also in charge of the first Olympiads and Talent Events. Under his direction, the fundamental importance of protecting children was highlighted constantly.
Ever since he arrived, he has boosted the global Become Transnational initiative for organizational restructuring. He has led the strategic growth to reach vulnerable children, teenagers and youth in La Gua- jira, Chocó, and Tumaco. He has been a standard-bearer for the care and spiritual well-being of Compassion Colombia’s collaborators.
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