Compassion Organization 2

            Today I spoke with a representative (Jim) from the Samaritan’s Purse organization.  My intent was to grasp an internal perspective of what this international organization was all about.  During this interview, I discovered just how much impact this organization has throughout the world.   

            Since its birth in 1970, Samaritan's Purse has remained faithful to their mission statement that reads “a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.”

            Over the last 40 years this organization has been a vital part of the relief efforts around the globe.  Their most recognized claim is with disaster relief initiatives.  From tsunami’s and earthquakes to widespread famine, Samaritan’s Purse is on call ready to deliver whatever aid is needed.  

            During my interview with Jim, he expressed a level of excitement when talking about another division of the organization called the Children’s Heart Project.  Since 1997, this mission has helped over 700 children all over the world with extensive heart surgeries and treatment.  What I found most interesting was that there were donors to this organization who specifically gave money for the transportation of children from around the world so they could get the care they needed.  Jim expressed, “this project has been an incredible way to witness to the families of these children.”

             With decades of credibility and faithfulness to the mission, Samaritans Purse has been growing extensively.  As the organization grows so does the need to finance the mission.  Surprisingly, I was informed that the majority of the funding needed came from individual donors.  Not individual churches, individual people.

In my opinion, Samaritans Purse has been a world leader in global aid. Their mission is not limited to bringing aid when needed; their mission goes much further than that.  Yes, they help save lives by providing for physical needs, but they provide a message of Good News that brings aid to each spiritual need as well.  They bring with them the heart of Christ, a heart that has compassion to see all people rescued. 

Ponder This…

As believers of Jesus Christ we are given a task.  It’s not a task that comes with a heavy burden, but ultimately releases people from heavy burden. The task is to be an ambassador for Christ (2Cor 5:20), to be his representatives here on earth.  The introspective question for all of us is how well are we achieving this?

 If we take a step back and look at the whole picture, do we see results that are continuing to produce?  Ask yourself, am I doing my part in leading people to the truth that changed my own life?  Am I showing others around me the reflection of what Christ has done for me?  

How are we to effectively reach people in this day and age?  What is the secret? I believe the answers are in the actions of the most accomplished evangelist to walk the earth.

How did Jesus show evangelism?  How did he reach people? He reflected the heart of His father.  He was the perfect representation of the character of God.  That is the secret to effectively reaching this world for the kingdom of God. 

These days’ people aren’t interested in believing something just because we say it’s the truth.  They want to see the truth in action.  They need to see it to believe it.

So how do we make the absolute truth of Jesus relevant in our society?  If we share Jesus to people the Jesus way we are following the proven and guaranteed process.   

Community Compassion Organization

                An assigned given to me through a class I’m taking requires us to interview and evaluate three Community Compassion Organizations.   This post is an overview of the work accomplished by an organization called Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC).  Here is why they are a significant organization within my community.

                Founded in 1979, a group of local leaders gathered to together with hope to establish a non-profit organization that would strive to eliminate the specific needs that were rapidly developing within the community.  Spokesman Daniel Nesditt commented “these leaders saw a growing concern and took it upon themselves to ensure a solution.” 

                CAADC functions in many ways to assist and improve the community.   Their goal is to help people establish economic self- sufficiency by providing numerous programs that are not only meant to inform but to train as well.  Along with providing emergency shelter, homeless prevention and rental assistance, CAADC functions as a training ground that prepares and equips clients for further obstacles in life.  Their services include employment training, maintenance training, welfare-to-work initiatives, budget counseling and energy efficiency education.  

                The agency is funded in two categories: public and private.  60% of their funds are received from public contributions such as local townships and governments and the PA Dept of Education.  Their recognition has also gained them some national support as well such as the US Dept of Agriculture and the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services.  In addition, the remaining 40% of their funding comes from private foundations like the United Way, Boeing and AmeriCorps.  

                What I found interesting was that only 9% of their distribution of these funds went to administration costs. Also worth noting is that CAADC was selected as one of “The Top 100 Workplaces 2011” for the Philadelphia Regions.  For the 2^nd year in a row.