My 2 cents
Posted by hgiog  |  November 20, 2009 9:37:00 AM

I read a few posts that just made me want to give my 2 cents. I love how some people think that every thing should be done by volunteers. Any of you try doing a fulltime job to support yourself and then volunteer fulltime as well? I see no problem with a CEO getting paid. The amount is likely due to the level of education the CEO had to go through and his living expenses which I would bet includes travel costs and such. As far as the misunderstanding between cultures concernig a child that cant understand that a woman can support herself. Mam, where's your grace? We can't expect Compassion to go over and change an entire culture to make you feel better. Working with other cultures is a delicate thing. The important thing is that your child is being helped. Perhaps as the child grows up he will come to understand American culture a little better, but as it is he is growing up in his culture not yours.

Compensation
Posted by Texada  |  September 8, 2009 6:43:50 AM

If compassion did not claim to be acting in the name of Jesus, I don't think there would be such a concern about their various CEOs salaries. Compassion has a CEO in every country and they are all making six figure salaries. The CEO of the Canadian division would not even disclose his salary when I inquired. I just hard it hard to believe there are no qualified people in the world who would not volunteer their efforts. Are these CEOs really giving back, or are they takers. A salary of 15K a month plus pensions and a monthly expense account doesn't seem very Christ-like to me. Perhaps if they got their expenses under control they wouldn't need to increase th monthly gift. Great concept, but too many hands in the cookie jar.

Core Values
Posted by berean77  |  August 13, 2009 8:17:44 AM

I have been a Compassion sponsor for over 20 years. However, over the years I have developed some concerns.

Compassion uses celebrity performers to promote the organization. About nine or ten yeas ago, a famous pop singer left her husband for another man, resulting in two broken marriages. At that time, I was shocked to see Compassion continuing to use this person as a spokesperson for the organization. When they did not respond to my concerns about this, I was inclined to part ways - but I did not want to desert my sponsored child. I have since noted from their website FAQs that they actually pay artists to plug the organization. I did not know this.

Now that sponsorship has come to an end, and they have proposed a new child for my sponsorship. They sent me a new packet with information on that child. Then they sent me a letter thanking me for my sponsorship, before I even responded. Seems that the packet had a letter saying that unless I explicitly told them no, they would apply my sponsorship to the new child. That is the way unscrupulous marketing companies used to work, before they were restrained by law. I purposely did not review the packet right away because I did not want to become emotionally attached to the child before I made a rational decision.

When I called to tell them that I had not decided, and NOT to assume I would sponsor until I confirmed, the woman was pleasant and polite, but still implied that it was my problem. Later on, this same woman called my wife at home and told her we had to decide right away. I don't appreciate high-pressure sales pitches.

I think that Compassion has a great mission and many wonderful, dedicated people. They do wonderful work, but I am concerned that they are susceptible to ethical compromises. It gives me pause to make a commitment to a child with an organization that may violate my principles in the future.

Sponsorship etc
Posted by Connie R.  |  August 4, 2009 5:52:42 AM

I just returned from visiting 5 of Compassion's Projects in a Developing Country. I have never been more impressed with an organization. From the staff in my home country, to the Office staff and Frontline staff of the projects where our children are sponsored, they are amazing individuals whose hearts and souls beat for these little ones. They are NOT making big money, they could be doing better for themselves in other positions at other FOR PROFIT organizations but they are NOT because they believe in the rights of the children who deserve to dream and have a chance for a better future. I saw Pastors, Teachers, Project Directors who work tirelessly, pouring the love of Jesus into the kids that attend the project 5 or 6 days a week!!! I saw children worshipping our Creator with abandon, children leading worship through prayer, Bible Reading and singing. There were children full of confidence and pride because they feel valued and there were sad, downcast faces of those children who do not yet have sponsors( which is where by the way your donations are probably going if you choose not to develop a one on one relationship with your own sponsor child!) There are many children waiting for sponsors and any exta cash flow goes towards unsponsored children or disaster relief or wherever it is most needed. Compassion is bound by standards and virtues which each office and project is expected to adhere to. They undergo audits yearly and possibly even TWICE a year! Compassion has developed incredible curriculum for use with the children. As for $38/mnth really is that such a large sum? I have met people who sponsor 4, 6 or even up to 18 children on modest incomes because they have seen for themselves the amazing transformations that take place through sponsorship. This requires directors, staff and volunteers to make it possible. Why are these staff expected to work for less just because it is a Charitable Organization? That attitude ires me.

In Response to: Avidreader
Posted by Martina M.  |  July 27, 2009 6:26:50 AM

Shame on you! Your so worried about such little things...I am a single mom of 4 children, raising 6 children, I know what a struggle is, I know what it's like to sacrifice, but in the true realm of things, I'm an American, I really don't struggle! I give to several charities, even out of my simple means, and I do mean simple..I have been laid off, I have been on unemployment, I have had to tell my kids to suck up and be happy with the blessing we DO have! Don't sit on here and judge when you obviously haven't done any true research, pay attention to how much corporate America CEO's make, those lovely banks that have ripped off your great grandchildren in a method called "bailouts" I don't buy lunch daily from the office, I don't go to Starbucks, ever! I can't even take my kids to the movies...but you know what...I'm blessed! I have a roof over my head, my kids eat, they have clean clothes, they live safe! I am proud to say that I give, I am proud to say I believe in a God who tells me to take my eyes off of me and see where the need is and meet that need...before you rant and rave about a modest salary that this CEO makes, do some reasearch, use the tools God has blessed you with here in America, you might be ashamed of yourself for even speaking on this non profit like you have. Compassion has proven it's integrity, waiting for a letter, because it is coming from a third world country, is to be expected...a TV, wow, so the one you threw out should go where? And what type of luxuries do you live with that you have convinced yourself are neccesities??? God bless those kids that got a TV, God bless those kids that are even able to write to you! The Word tells us to give freely, when you give, it's in God's hands...period!

Sponsorship
Posted by TSSD  |  July 27, 2009 6:25:25 AM

I had been sponsoring a boy from Tanzania, we corresponded a lot and so I knew quite a bit about him. Then he quit writing and when I got a letter the information didn't match up at all. I asked for updated info and was told I had to wait. I then got a photo by mistake. It was of the boy I was sponsoring addressed to another sponsor and he was wearing a gang related tee-shirt. Then I was told he quit the program. Interesting! Now I am billed for a boy I did not choose to sponsor. Plus the sponsorship payments are going up to $38 a month starting Aug. 1st and if you can't afford it, you can donate but can't sponsor a child. Wow! In these trying times there is an increase like this? And, I really have doubts now about how the money is being spent. Maybe if so much paper isn't wasted on mailings,fundraising, and etc., money could go for what it is meant for. I will no longer give my money to this organization, they do not care about their sponsors and I wonder now about the children. I hope they are doing positive things for them, but, how would anyone really know?

RE:avidreader and CEO pay
Posted by no1hustler  |  July 21, 2009 6:01:55 AM

I'd like to put a couple things into perspective in regards to the CEO annual income. Do you have any idea what the average CEO income was in 2008? Do you think it was higher or lower than CI CEO?

The average income for a CEO for 2008 was $336,248. That is quite a bit more than the $200,000 that you are so upset about. That is not a lot when you consider the organization makes over $300,000,000 a year. That isn't even close to a single percent.

I'd hate to see your reaction when you see that the CEO for American Red Cross makes almost $600,000 a year.

Transparency & Accountability
Posted by S. Daniel  |  June 8, 2009 6:12:05 AM

I am a Project Director of to CDSP projects and a CSP Project in India.I am involved with Compassion from 2003. I can vouch for Compassion's integrity, transperency and accountability. It helps over 1 million children in 25 countries. I agree there may be instances of delay in communication and miscommunication, but one has to realise that some of the projects are in the remotest of places, where there is no electricity, easy transportation, and communication is difficult. I would like to encourage you to continue lending a helping hand to reach children with the love of God. Don't be discouraged, there are times things doesn't work the way we entended to. Know for sure that your money is being wisely invested in the live of child you intend to see live with dignity and with a promising future. If you are sponsoring, please continue to do so, if you have dropped out I would urge you to reconsider. Compassion is Committed to who it has been called for.

About Compassion
Posted by dwir917  |  June 8, 2009 6:09:17 AM

I have been a Compassion sponsor for many years, but I wanted to share two things that show me how dedicated they are. (1) Many years ago, when I sponsored a girl in Mexico, we received a letter one day saying that they were sorry to inform us that our sponsored child's project was no longer eligible for funding. They explained at great length the steps they had taken to counsel and work with their leaders who were not following good accounting practices, but they refused to comply. Compassion followed the Biblical model exactly on how they handled it, talking with them, warning them, and ultimately, with sorrow, letting them go. We were impressed that their standards were high enough to not turn a blind eye to irregularities in accountability for their partner projects. And we were happy to select another child for sponsorship. (2) I have been sponsoring a girl in Indonesia for many years now, and I just received a letter of good news. Her mother got a new job which pays well and their family income no longer qualifies her for their program. However, they said she is still attending church and still going to school and invited me to send a final goodbye letter. I am thrilled to see that they would be honest enough to say when a child is outside their boundaries and then invite me to choose (or not) another child. I admire their high standards and the way they follow the best principles of good stewardship.

Responding to avidreader
Posted by Mag  |  May 29, 2009 5:53:38 AM

Replying to avidreader's post, it appears to me you may have unrealistic expectations about what this kind of sponsorship entails. Letters written by a child living in a poor country just reflect her age and world view. She's not a cosmopolitan, westernized adult, after all. It seems unreasonable to read that child's letters to you as degrading or insulting. Likewise, you will probably have to accept that communications with children living in difficult conditions and remote areas will be slow.

I can also tell you, based on my experience, that a TV in the household doesn't mean a family is living in luxury. I've traveled in third world countries where families lack necessities but somehow someone in the household was able to have an old black and white TV and electricity.

With regard to the CEO salary issue
Posted by avidreader  |  May 29, 2009 5:53:09 AM

I would like to add that in light of the CEO's nearly $200,000 per year salary, I did some quick research on the cost of living in Colorado Springs. According to Money Magazine, the median family income for this year in Colorado Springs is $70,000 and the median home price in Colorado Springs is $189,000. This information can be found by doing a quick google search for "cost of living in Colorado Springs." I also looked on a real estate website, and attractive brand new homes with approximately 2700 square feet (4+ bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms) can be purchased in Colorado Springs for just over $200,000. I do not appreciate receiving letters from a CEO who asks me to make financial sacrifices and yet simultaneously makes an income that is $130,000 more than the median income in his city.

Four years of experiences with Compassion
Posted by avidreader  |  May 26, 2009 1:03:33 PM

I have been a sponsor with Compassion for the last four years. I sponsor three children. I find it difficult to maintain any type of ongoing relationship with the children because there is such a delay with the mail. Their letters to me are dated at least two months prior to the day that I receive them in the mail. I send them Christmas cards in late October, and the thank you letters arrive from them in between March and May, which makes any kind of ongoing relationship a bit difficult. One of the children that I sponsor also mentioned in her most recent letter that she enjoys watching T.V. at home. This suprised me because that kind of "luxury" conflicts with the lifestyle that Compassion says these children have. In my four years as a sponsor, I am still confused about what exactly my sponsor children have that they would not have without the sponsorship. I don't think Compassion does an adequate job at all of conveying this. I can also see why gay people (in postings below) are offended because simply as a single indpendent (nonmarried) woman, I am offended -- in my sponsor children's letters, I can tell that they don't comprehend my status as a single adult woman -- one of the children constantly pays her respects to my husband who she continuously assumes pays the sponsorship. It's kind of degrading that they can't comprehend that I am simply a woman on my own. With regard to the CEO's salary, this is something that bothers me a lot...particularly since his salary is now approximately $60,000 higher than it was when I looked on this website three or four years ago. In this economy, whose salary can increase by that much? The reason his salary bothers me so much is because I am not sponsoring my three children with pocket change -- I really need this money to meet my own basic needs and pay my own bills. For me to make this financial sacrifice and see that the CEO has a $200,000 salary up by $60,000 in recent years is really hard to swallow.

Integrity revealed
Posted by McNair  |  May 21, 2009 7:11:42 AM

I have followed the work of Compassion International since the 1980's when a friend at church relayed the story of his trip to Latin America to meet the little girl his family was sponsoring through Compassion. That was the first of scores of enthusiastic, first-hand reports I have heard over the years from friends who are Compassion sponsors. In January of this year (2009) I became a full-time staff member at Compassion's international headquarters in Colorado Springs. I can now verify that the view from "inside" is even better as I have seen the daily operation of releasing children from poverty, in Jesus name. Integrity here is job one. They manage the operation so well, that even in this crazy economy Compassion has grown nearly 12 percent in the last year. I am proud to be here.

Compassion
Posted by MON  |  May 13, 2009 5:56:45 AM

I have seen Compassion International behind the scenes and on site overseas. Compassion is the real deal. I would encourage anyone wondering to dive in, ask questions, go on a vision trip. They are doing a great job with finances and a great job working with Churches in spreading the Gospel. Read their purpose statement... they are living it out.

misguided assumptions
Posted by Pam  |  April 6, 2009 6:08:42 AM

I continue to find it discouraging that people assume that just because someone holds a belief that a practice is wrong, that they will discriminate against those who participate in it! It is more than possible, in the power of Christ, to love someone and help them, while you may still disagree with their actions. Enough of that.

On a side note, I have been sponsoring with Compassion for 8 years, and have found them to be an organization with great integrity.

oh, good Christian people... open your minds
Posted by hkvokov  |  March 24, 2009 5:45:48 AM

I don't generally post to these blogs, but tonight I'm feeling compelled...

My family recently (last weekend!)sponsored a young boy in Rwanda through Compassion. I'm concerned about the comments here regarding the organization's stance on homosexuality. We sponsored this young boy in large part because of his living in an area with a horrifically high incidence of AIDS. We wondered why this young boy had been on the waiting list for over 6 months- now, perhaps its a little clearer. I hope to discover the people working through this organization are teaching these vulnerable people ALL the ways in which AIDS is spread... ours is not to judge the soul into which the person is born, ours is to promote safe practices and the knowledge that we are ALL God's children. I would hate to think our young man- already feeling marginalized by a world around him- would be any less educated about the risks involved in ANY unprotected physical relationship. Given what we know in 2009, we cannot afford to support the naive notion that telling someone who they are, is wrong- and will change who God made them to be-dangerous territory, if you ask me. Ugh- time to stop judging the problem and do what we can to work toward a solution. We will support our long man in becoming an educated, healthy, and loving Christian man... whomever he choses to share that life with. Regardless of the conservative (and outdated- hello!) position this organization may hold, I fully believe they do good work. If your heart aches for these children as our family's does (mother, father, son & daughter- for those who were wondering), find a way to help!! If it's not through Compassion- find another way to reach them.

Wonderful charity
Posted by gcomeaux  |  February 17, 2009 2:35:42 PM

My family has been sponsoring a precious little girl in eastern India for a few years now. My three daughters LOVE to send and receive letters to Puja and have learned much from the process. Compassion International does a great job of managing this charity. They have a really great website, too!

Compassion Charity
Posted by blkblur  |  February 17, 2009 6:42:19 AM

I have sponsored children for many years thru Compassion and never had any problems getting or sending material to my sponsored child. I read that some have had bad experiences; well welcome to the human race. No organization is infallible; not even Compassion and yes they do make mistakes - don't we all. As for Dr. Stafford's compensation and how nice the facilities look; folks we're Christians and God wants the "BEST" for us all. Dr. Staffords compensation is low compared to many CEO's, so I don't see his salary as outrageous. As for having up-to-date equipment and facilities; why is it that some people think a charity should run off a few dollars a day and work with pens, paper, a typewriter, etc.? Would you want to work for an organization that didn't provide you the tools to do your job with? I doubt it very seriously. What makes Compassion any different, - because they are a "Christian" charity and we are suppoed to do something with nothing. That is a very stupid and unGodly mindset to be in. I don't believe they should own 3 or 4 jet aircraft to fly around in or live in a $5 million mansion and they don't. I think Compassion does extremely well using as little of the funds that people send in as it does for adminsitration. To be ranked with 4 stars is quite admirable.

Great experience, sponsor since 1994
Posted by hyena29  |  January 12, 2009 7:22:51 AM

I have had a great experience as a sponsor of a 3 children since 1994. I have received regular letters from my child which often detail what they bought with my gift I sent and have been very impressed also with the use of technology to reach my child as well (I have been able to write her letters via email, give extra birthday gifts online, etc) I hope to go on a sponsor tour someday with my family. Keep up the good work, Compassion! As far as the salary issue that some people seem to be concerned about, I think it would be wise to read Charity Navigator's own analysis of CEO salaries which I copied below (Note: Mr. Stafford only receives .06% - yes, less than 1%, almost a half of a percent!!) The CEO's salary of my favorite charity seems high, should I make a contribution? While there are certainly some charities that overpay their leaders, Charity Navigator's data shows that those organizations are the minority. Among the charities we've evaluated, the average CEO salary is roughly $151,000. Before you make any judgments about salaries higher or lower than this average, we encourage you to look at CEO compensation as a percentage of total expenses. A charity CEO compensation of $200,000 for an organization spending $20 million per year (1%) probably seems much more reasonable than the same salary for a $1 million organization (20% of expenses for one person).

These charities are complex organizations, with multi-million dollar budgets, hundreds of employees, and thousands of constituents. These leaders could inevitably make much more running similarly sized for-profit firms. Furthermore, when making your decision it is important to consider that it takes a certain level of professionalism to effectively run a charity and charities must offer a competitive salary if they want to attract and retain that level of leadership.

The compassion of Compassion
Posted by briar rabbit  |  January 12, 2009 7:17:22 AM

I sponsor 5 children and have been to visit all of them. I see how they live, both out of Compassion and in Compassion. The Compassion children are happy. The others are not.

I know they do not have any sponsor children in the US. They have children in 27 different countries. I have been to 4 different countries to visit my 5 children. If it were not for Compassion's help they would be starving or dead. Compassion gives them good meals, medical help including eye glasses and more, help with studies, teachers, clean clothing,and more much more. This is part of a letter from one of the children I sponsor, translated to English. "She is growing in prayer and worship, She belongs to a Hindu family. Her parents worship god and godesses of Hindu god. Her father is a drunkard you pray for her father and mother. She lives in a hut, in a small village near to the Compassion project. Her mother goes to the train station to collect some eatable things near the side of the railway station. You pray for her mother" This child is getting food each day from the Compassion project, otherwise the mother told me they only have a bowl of rice in the morning with whatever vegies that she can find. In the eve. they have leftovers. These people live on less than $1.00 per day.

I have met Dr. Stafford and there is no finer person and Christian. If you ever have the opportunity to meet him you will see and feel that from him. Read his book "too small to be ignored" and you will understand him. He is one of the finest and upstanding Christian men in this country and probably the world.

Compassion International
Posted by Vickisue  |  January 5, 2009 1:32:06 PM

We have been sponsoring through Compassion for six years and now sponsor five children and a Leadership Development student. I have also been a volunteer child advocate for Compassion for almost six years.

If you want more insight into Compassion's and Wess Stafford's heart, read his book, Too Small to Ignore.... Only a confirmed skeptic could be unconvinced after doing so.

I have made three trips to the Dominican Republic; visited with my sponsored girls there, as well as about 10 projects; and met several members of the country staff. The Compassion heart runs through their veins, and children's lives are being transformed.

As for Dr. Stafford's compensation, he and his wife keep only what they need and use the rest to bless others. I'm not positive if he has an expense account to cover all the traveling he does, both international and domestic. But he might, so don't quote me on that!

Homosexuality is a great offense to people in most, if not all, of the countries where Compassion serves. For a sponsor to include references to a homosexual relationship or photos of a lover/partner would be entirely unacceptable in those cultures, in addition to violating the moral standards of Compassion.

Just a couple more comments: 1) I also question the New Mexico connection. 2) TH, your experience is highly unusual. I don't know how many months you waited, but I've heard of people waiting as long as 6 months for a first letter from a child. Before giving up, I hope you spoke with a supervisor in the call center or elsewhere. I have trouble believing they used money intended for a certain sponsored child for a different child. In fact, usually someone at Compassion contacts the sponsor, when a child has left the program. Also remember that communication between the U.S. and international offices can take a fair amount of time.

Not For Me
Posted by TH  |  December 29, 2008 6:28:05 AM

My wife and I sponsored a child. After months of not hearing anything from the child, we contacted Compassion. We got quite a run around. We didn't give up. After many emails, we were told the child selected was no longer in the program. We were told our money never went to the child we picked and had been going to a child whose father was employed and whose mother worked for Compassion. We told Compassion we wanted a refund, but never got it. A similar thing happened to my father. My mother still gives and is happy, but the rest of us are done.

Opulance or Efficiency?
Posted by DelsFan  |  December 22, 2008 6:40:17 AM

I attend a church whose members think like some of the writers here. We pay our Pastor a small salary; our church secretary has an ancient desktop and a CRT monitor that takes up half of the desk. We get what we pay for, and are grossly inefficient - all so we can look "poor". For $1000 we could make our secretary's life much easier - but we won't do it. We are not spending very much but we are accomplishing a fraction of what we could. (I attend because there are few Churches in my area and it is a place to serve. However, I don't give very much extra money to an orginization who is inefficient and seems uncommitted.) I would say the same about Compassion. If I were to go into offices of a charitable orginazition and see them barely getting by I would wonder how could they efficiently be distributing goods and services to those in need. How could they keep good employees if the workers had to beat their heads against the wall with outdated equipment? I have no problem with a CEO of a $300 million a year organization making a six figure salary, and I would expect for an orginization of this size to have up-to-date equipment in order for their workers to operate efficiently. I've operated on both sides of the "conserving"strategy and the happiest and most efficient employees were the ones who had a good place to work using good equipment. And it took a fraction of a percent of the yearly operating budget to create this atmosphere. So, I'm glad to read that Compassion offers a pleasant work environment and equipment that allows employees to work efficiently.

Disclosure
Posted by Texada  |  November 17, 2008 6:41:55 AM

We are sponsors via Compassion Canada and have concerns about executive compensation. There was no information on the limited financials they provide, so we decided to ask via email. The president Barry Slauenwhite responded, but would not disclose executive salary, instead pointing out that 85% goes directly to the children. Also he assured me his salary is below other executives in similar organizations. My thought being, other organizations do not use the name of Jesus to solicit donations. If you really want to separate yourself from the herd, why send glossy brochures and DVD? Oh, and reveal your compensation. My feeling is if you want to take a six figure salary, work in the private sector. If you want to work for the children, in the name of God, take a servants salary.

Sponsorship
Posted by Juli Jarvis  |  November 7, 2008 6:34:16 AM

I've been sponsoring since 1988 and I really trust this company. The girl I started sponsoring in 1995 also was accepted to Compassion's Leadership Development Program. She is well on her way to being a servant leader in her community. I can't tell you how impressed I am with this organization! They really treat each child individually, and have concern for the personal needs of each and every one.

Comment and question
Posted by Shelly Q  |  September 5, 2008 11:19:23 AM

I am sponsoring 3 children and I just signed up to correspond to a sponsored child who doesn't recieve letters. All of my experiences with Compassion have been very positive. Whenever I have phoned or emailed questions or concerns to them, I have gotten quick and detailed responses. I have no doubt that the organization and its employees are committed to helping children in poverty. Compassion welcomes children regardless of their family's religious beliefs or situations. They show and teach love, not condemnation. I respect the organization and their beliefs and feel they are entitled to prohibit letters/photos that may go against their values. Go to the blog on their website and you will hear great testimonies of many changed lives, both of sponsored children and of the sponsors themselves. When I have sent gift money (above the sponsorship cost), I have received photos of my sponsored child and her family with the purchases that were made. I cannot describe the joy I feel knowing that I am changing their lives for the better through Compassion.

My question is for the person who visited the New Mexico facility. I am not aware that there are actual "projects" in the US. Was this facility through a sister organization?

Compassion is amazing
Posted by Victoria  |  September 3, 2008 6:28:32 AM

My husband and I sponsor 4 children with Compassion and have toured their headquarters (which is decorated with artwork by the children, donated bronze statues and partners with Focus on teh Family to save $20k in mailing expenses each month)....a frugal organization. It is an absolutely amazing charity. I have personally met with Dr. Stafford and he is a kind and humble man who's heart truly breaks for the children. His salary is almost half that of a similiar organization's CEO and certainly modest for upper management.

For the skeptics, Compassion is wholeheartedly a christ centered organization, if you disagree with those beliefs I hope that you find another organization to support. The biggest shame would be to sit back and do nothing.

responding to nica
Posted by mars5876  |  September 2, 2008 5:45:56 AM

This is in response to the post from nica. Compassion International is very transparent with how they spend donor money. In accordance with financial and tax laws, they are legally unable to use money designated for child sponsorship to pay for their building or the furnishings in it. Instead, most of what you see when you visit their facility was probably paid for by generous donors who specified that they would like their money to be used on the facility. I understand that Dr. Stafford's salary may seem high, but compared to the market, for his level of education and experience, he could probably be making a whole heck of a lot more than he does. He is a very generous man, so I'm sure he probably gives back more than the average American Christian.

Compassion International
Posted by nica  |  August 25, 2008 6:18:35 AM

I am gratified to read the praise reports on behalf of Compassion Internat'l. However, my husband and I formed a different impression when we visited the facility in Colorado Springs a few years ago. Their building was state-of-the-art with brand new computers and a lush interior decor. The presiden/CEO's office was remarkably well furnished. Mr. Stafford's salary is equally remarkable at $199,000 annually. This did not seem in keeping with their mission. In fact, we were agast at the use of donor money. We asked to visit a ministry in New Mexico that they helped to support, it took some persuation before they gave us a location. When visiting the couple who ran this Native American home for young women, we found a couple who almost worked out of a warehouse-type building with bare-bones technology and only housekeeping help for the women cared for. This was our idea of how our money should be spent whenever possible. This is said with the full realization that a ministry with the scope of Compassion International has certain operational expenses but the use of money over and beyond what is operationally necessary is a matter of debate.

Great Charity
Posted by Drummer7  |  August 22, 2008 5:52:57 AM

I've been involved with Compassion for 6 years now, and was able to go to the headquarters in CO a few months ago. I heard Wesley Stafford speak, specifically about their current drive to help ease the food shortages around the world, and I saw the people there who are so dedicated to making sure as many children as possible are reached. And they're committed to teaching the gospel as well as ensuring these kids have a future. Definitely not a waste of money.

A charity that let's you see it with your own eyes
Posted by Crystal  |  August 22, 2008 5:52:34 AM

I personally witnessed the work of Compassion on a sponsor trip to Ethiopia. On my trip I met young adults who had grown up in the Compassion system, attended college, and now work for Compassion and sponsor children themselves. I can think of no great testimony. One of the other highlights was when one of sponsor children and his family approached me. There was a crowd and I was looking for them. They spotted me first, because they knew me from the pictures I had sent. He had every picture and letter I had even sent him in his hand.

RE: compassion?
Posted by Trahern  |  August 19, 2008 1:26:52 PM

Sean, you commented that "...Compassion is spending time and money to teach children that a specific group of people is somehow worse or more sinful than the rest of us..."

I dont believe this is true regardless what you have gleaned from other's posts.

The only reference to homosexuality that I have found from Compassion's web site is in regards to delivering letters.

Here is a snippet from the site where it is referenced:

"Why was my letter not delivered?

We reserve the right to decline to forward any letters and materials that we view as incompatible with our ministry approach, including but not limited to:

* items that advocate another religious worldview * materials that condone lifestyle choices inconsistent with our beliefs, such as those: o condoning sexual relationships outside the heterosexual marriage covenant o advocating the living out of a homosexual lifestyle"

There is no mention of actively teaching that a homosexual is more sinful than a heterosexual.

The fact is, Compassion is an unapologetic Christian organization, and protects its sponsored children from sponsors who may unintentionally advocate behavior that is against its belief system.

compassionate... but...
Posted by Sean  |  August 15, 2008 1:14:00 PM

WatchDog08, note that JasonG says that he personally does not feel that Compassion International's stance on homosexuality is compassionate. You're the one who inferred a broadbrushing opinion. As a Christian, I do not like the fact that Compassion is spending time and money to teach children that a specific group of people is somehow worse or more sinful than the rest of us, and I appreciate learning about that from JasonG. I will not be supporting Compassion International because of that.

compassionate
Posted by Watchdog08  |  August 13, 2008 11:34:15 AM

JasonG claims it is not compassionate to teach children that homosexuality is not OK. That happens to be the conviction of this organization. They could equally claim that if you taught it WAS ok, then THAT would be equally un-compassionate. IF you disagree with their faith-based convictions, then don't support them. Just because you don't agree with them doesn't make them un-compassionate.

compassion?
Posted by JasonG  |  August 4, 2008 5:31:11 AM

I haven't yet committed to a specific charity. While doing research I found that this charity is extremely conservative and mentions that it aims to teach the children that homosexuality is not okay. I do not find this compassionate.

Simply the best Christian charity, period.
Posted by Louis III  |  July 30, 2008 5:47:36 AM

I've sponsored children through Compassion for 10 years. I've made 4 country trips and met the children and their families. I've toured the corporate headquarters. This is simply the best Christian charity I've ever seen. The money goes to the kids, they are learning about Jesus and becoming amazing spokespersons for the Living God! Give with confidence. I now sponsor 25 children and I've never been happier. When you support Compassion International, it's a win/win/win: the children get the help they need, you get the joy of helping them and God gets the glory!

Sponsorship
Posted by Rob KS  |  July 16, 2008 5:26:11 AM

If your looking for a trustworthy charity that delivers what they promise, then COMPASSION is for you. My wife & I visited 1 of the 4 children we sponsor this year in Ethiopia. We saw first hand how COMPASSION releases children from poverty. What a great program this is! Next year we are planning to go on a COMPASSION trip to Honduras to visit one of our sponsored children. Our adult children also sponsor children through this wonder charity.

A charity with heart
Posted by puddle  |  June 25, 2008 12:13:40 PM

I'm always skeptical of charities, as I've seen so often how funds are misused or the mission is not fulfilled. I was blown away by Compassion. It does exactly what it sets out to do and there is no doubt they are significantly changing lives. They understand poverty is not a lack of funds - it's a lack of options. And, as Dr. Stafford - the president of the foundation - says, "The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is enough." There is love, dedication and hard work put into raising each child and giving them the opportunity to succeed.

Compassion
Posted by Kay  |  May 5, 2008 7:18:35 AM

Compassion is an amazing ministry! They really are committed to integrity and I believe this with all my heart! Everytime I recieve a letter from my compassion child I am told of the wonderful things this program is doing to release children from poverty and this gives me such a peace. I thank God for Compassion and the work they do!

I love Compassion
Posted by jenthevideogirl  |  April 17, 2008 5:44:49 AM

I have been a compassion sponsor for many years and sponsor 9 children currently. Although I love everything that Compassion does in the communities/villages for each of my sponsored children, I also love the way they manage their business. You can call with questions or concerns, talk to kind and intelligent employees, and get things handled quickly and efficiently. In this world of "say or enter your account code" and hold times and runaround - Compassion is simply staffed by people who love children and who love the sponsors. I have committed to stay with each of my children until they graduate the program, and will probably add more to my brood as they do so. Getting a letter from one of these kids is the highlight of my day. My desire is to visit at least one of my children and get to see firsthand the work of Compassion. It is a GREAT charity with a great heart.

Compassion
Posted by sckirst  |  February 28, 2008 6:43:44 AM

I used to sponsor a girl from Peru and I had the opportunity to meet her. Before I even met her in person, we wrote to each other for about 7 years. She told me what she liked and disliked. She told me what she bought with her money I sent her. When I first met her in person, I started to cry and knew that Compassion was for real. When Compassion says it is one to one sponsorship,that is the truth.

Compassion = TRUST
Posted by Twindy  |  February 25, 2008 7:23:08 AM

i just returned from a sponsor tour. i have seen first hand the dedication and committment that the compassion project workers have for the children. we made a purchase for a family while we were there and the project director documented every peso that was spent and for whom. she had all the receipts and was very meticulous with her bookkeeping. I was also very impressed with the compassion headquarters in that country. They had very detailed books on every dollar spent for each child. They gave me the names and ages of siblings of my sponsored child so i could give them age appropriate gifts. I sponsored 2 additional children there because I know they will do what they say. They love children. God is using this ministry to feed and care for the children. I am so thankful to be able to help children through this ministry.

Life changing
Posted by jpatt  |  February 20, 2008 12:42:41 PM

Our family has sponsored children through Compassion since 1985. We have raised our own children to be sponsors...at age 18 and 15, they each sponsor their own child. We have had the life changing experience and privilage of meeting 5 of the children our family has sponsored. We have seen Compassion's work through the local church first hand in Haiti, DR, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, and Indonesia! Compassion is trustworthy and committed to integrity. Most importantly each child has the opportunity to hear of the God who loves them and to see His love lived out daily through the local Compassion project. One of our graduates is a x-ray technician and a university student studying biology in Brazil, another is working in a salon with a goal to own her own salon someday. See children who are waiting for sponsors and learn more at www.compassion.com/juliepatterson

Compassion International
Posted by Compassion Dave  |  February 6, 2008 11:43:24 AM

Compassion International is the best at what they say they do. In regards to Compassion's effort to work through the local church, their mission to bringing children into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and discipling children in the Christian faith, there is NO ministry that does a better job.

In fact there are some organizations that are not Christian at all, although they target the Christian community. Just because they might have the word "Christian" in the title does not make them Christian.

I only say that to assure you Compassion International is a Christian ministry and Christ is the core of the program.

If you are searching for a minstry that is Christ--centered and that excels at partnering with the local church, bringing children to Christ Jesus, and then discipling them, then Compassion is the BEST choice.

No other organization does this better than Compassion.

God bless you.

dave

Donation
Posted by LadyJessica  |  February 4, 2008 6:47:34 AM

I sponsor three children through Compassion. The children have writen and told me what they have been able to buy with the money-gifts that I have sent to them through Compassion, for holiday gifts. It has exceeded what Compassion promised. They were able to do even more with the money that I contributed than Compassion said they would. Compassion does not over promise, but they consistantly deliver.