Compassion Sunday
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 22 May 2011 in From Steve's Study ::
At our Parish Weekend away, we spent a lot of time thinking about the poor in our world. By way of reminder, consider these disturbing facts:
- A child dies from hunger every five seconds.
- One third of the world’s children live in extreme poverty.
- One in every six children between the ages of 5 and 14 is involved in child labor.
- More than 2 billion people lack access to electricity and modern forms of energy.
- More than 1 billion (one in five) people live on less than $1 a day.
- Approximately 15 million children under the age of 18 have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
- 20 million children have had to leave their homes due to war. This is roughly the population of Australia.
- An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year, many for sexual exploitation or cheap labor.
- More than 10 million children under age 5 die each year. Two-thirds of these deaths – more than 6 million deaths every year – are from malnutrition and other preventable causes.
- Approximately 143 million children in the developing world (one in 13) are orphans.
Today, we will be given the opportunity to make a difference. In each of the four services, our church family will be given the chance to change the world for one child. After the service, visit the Compassion table where you can view packets showing boys and girls who need a sponsor right now. This is your opportunity to release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name. You will give them a future and a hope through the loving intervention of a Christ-centered program run by a local church in their neighborhood.
Let me encourage you to prayerfully consider whether this is something you and your family could take part in, and once you have considered it, to act.
For more information, please visit compassionsunday.com.
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