Hosting a Compassion Sunday church event is a powerful way to answer a call to HOPE! And that’s just what Nicole Van Zante, a member of Candlewood Church in Omaha, NE, did. Below is the feature story from 2020 that Compassion did on her. 

This mother-daughter team connected 26 children with new sponsors! 

Nicole and her 6-year-old daughter decided they wanted to make a difference in the lives of children in poverty. And despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, they decided that they would host a Compassion Sunday event at their church last year. “I felt this event was a good opportunity to DO something in the midst of this crazy pandemic, to help those who need help the most right now, and to encourage our church to join the effort,” says Nicole. And it paid off. Nicole and her daughter were able to connect 26 children living in poverty with new sponsors! 

Compassion Sunday on September 18, 2022

At Candlewood Church, we are excited to announce that Compassion Sunday will take place on September 18, 2022. Compassion Sunday is a day set apart to release even more children from poverty in Jesus’ name! 

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. 

Matthew 25:40

The Gospel is the foundation of everything we do at Candlewood Church. We believe it, live it out, and share it with others. We are devoted followers of Christ and strive to display Christ in all we do to make a difference in our home, neighborhood, church, city, and the world. 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 

Hebrews 13:16

What is Compassion Sunday?

Compassion Sunday and child sponsorship serve as powerful extensions of Candlewood’s missions ministry. Compassion partners with local churches to meet the specific needs of children around the world. 

By hosting a Compassion Sunday, we are giving you the opportunity to sponsor a child and help other churches do what they do best. You will empower local churches across the globe to continue serving the poorest of the poor in their own communities.

Compassion Sunday allows our congregation to come alongside other churches as they continue to share the hope of the gospel with those who need hope most. In the process, we will be impacted as we live out our faith in such a profound global way.

Millions of children face extreme poverty and are in desperate need of hope — and Candlewood can play a role in sharing the hope of Christ with them through Compassion’s child sponsorship program.

Poverty Facts

• More than 736 million people worldwide live below the poverty line — measured by the World Bank as earning less than $1.90 per day.
• One out of every 27 children will die before reaching the age of 5, mostly from malnutrition and other preventable causes due to extreme poverty.
• Approximately 264 million children and youths around the world are not attending school.
• Around the world, roughly 130 million primary and secondary school-age girls are out of school.
• The global COVID-19 pandemic is expected to set back poverty reduction progress in 70 developing countries* by three to 10 years.
• There are still 773 million people in the world today who can’t read, and most of them are women.
• Child poverty accounts for half of the world’s poor with 1 out of 5 children experiencing extreme poverty.
• Malnutrition and diet are by far the biggest risk factors for the global burden of disease.

Every single one deserves hope. There is hope for everyone, and you can be the one to give it through Compassion Sunday. For more poverty facts, please visit compassion.com/PovertyFacts

Scripture is Clear

When we serve the poor, we serve God. When we honor people living in poverty, we honor his Son. When we protect the oppressed, we protect the kingdom of Christ. On September 18, we’re going to have an opportunity to do just that — an opportunity to serve, honor and protect “the least of these brothers and sisters,” in a time when it’s needed more than ever. 

How? By choosing to sponsor a child living in poverty. September 18 is Compassion Sunday — a day set apart to change the story for children living in poverty around the world. You’ll be invited to sponsor a precious child who would love to have someone like you to serve, honor and protect them. To love them. And to give them hope. You can follow Christ’s call to stand up for “the least of these.” Will you?

Put Your Faith into Action

Invite God to use you to further his kingdom through sponsoring a child. You can make a difference by helping a child escape the cycle of poverty. 

Prepare your heart for what God is going to do through you. Sponsoring a child through Compassion Sunday releases children from poverty in Jesus’ name. And that is one of the most beautiful stories in the world. Begin a story of hope in a child’s life at this year’s Compassion Sunday at Candlewood Church.

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Mark 10:14-16

Thank you for your desire to help sponsor a child in poverty. 

Making An Eternal Impact

You will have three opportunities to sign up to sponsor a child at Candlewood Church. We will have a table in our main entryway

• Compassion Sunday, September 18
• Sunday, September 25

If you are unable to attend our in person services, you are able to sponsor a child online here. 

“I’ve sponsored a child through Compassion for over 17 years. It’s been a blessing to encourage, pray for, and help provide for the needs of our sweet girl as she’s grown from a toddler to a teenager. She considers us her family and we feel the same about her.” 

- Nicole V

“Sponsoring our girl through Compassion has been such a blessing for us as a family and a way for us to show our kids how we can intentionally love others.  We enjoy having her as part of our family and having our kids thinking about others less fortunate. Our kids consider what life could be like in different parts of the world. Being able to have a relationship with her and communicate through letters is amazing. Her gratitude and joy amidst her circumstances challenges our hearts, too!” 

- Emilee B

Additional Information

We are here to support you as you step out as a difference maker in the life of an impoverished child. We are in this together! 

If you have any questions about Compassion Sunday, or would like more information, please connect with us here.