Compassion International's "Act for Compassion" Conference!

Act for Compassion Conference

Friday, April 15, 2016 - Saturday, April 16, 2016
5:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Community Christian Church --Naperville Yellow Box
1635 Emerson Lane
Naperville, Illinois 60540

Everyone can act for Compassion to help release children from poverty in Jesus' name.

(All are welcome and invited-- Compassion supporters, advocates, people unfamiliar with Compassion, families, children and youth, churches, leaders, your friends and family, etc.)

Summary

This conference will inspire you to Act for Compassion so we can change the story for children living in extreme poverty. The conference will include:

• Participating in a Walk With Compassion. As a conference registrant, you will receive email updates about how to engage in the fundraiser prior to the conference and the actual Walk that is scheduled for the morning of April 16.
• Dove Award nominee Shaun Groves will be sharing with us through songs and words throughout the entire conference.
• Compassion alumnus Ben Mwangi from Kenya will inspire us with his story and the impact Compassion and his sponsor have had on his life.
• Be inspired by the documentary film premiere, "Central Help," produced by Emmy-nominated director Jon Ross who asks the question, "How different would this world be if poverty didn't exist?"
• Hear what others are doing to Act for Compassion -- some teens who planted a church and a retired man from Wisconsin who raised funds to rebuild classrooms in El Salvador.
• Author Lorie Lee will be leading day-long interactive activities for children and youth as they experience what it means to be "Global in your Local." 
• There will be a session on utilizing the Act for Compassion platform, plus topical workshops and Q & A sessions, plus much more.
• The Compassion Store will be open and you can peruse the various resource booths.
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided as part of your registration fee.

More information and REGISTRATION here!

Harvey Carey Speaks at Volunteer Rally at Willow Creek

Harvey Carey Speaks at Volunteer Rally

“By investing just three hours on a Saturday morning, people could expand their worldviews drastically,” says Heather Larson, director of Willow Creek’s Compassion & Justice team. “No passports, no shots, no plane tickets. Just come to the rally!”

“At the Compassion & Justice Rally, people can gain an in-depth look into various topics such as peacemaking, community building, and more,” says Austin Brown, Willow’s church engagement director and coordinator for the rally. “Harvey Carey, senior pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit, kicks things off with a keynote message followed by breakout sessions from Willow staff and justice advocates who bring stories from their lives plus hands-on advice, and Christ-like wisdom to each topic.”

Beyond the walls of the church
“Harvey is all about taking the church beyond the walls of their building,” Austin says, “and that is the heartbeat of our Compassion & Justice team. Our neighborhoods may be different from his, but our goal is the same: to bring the hope of Christ into our community. We want to learn and be challenged by Harvey’s story.”

The Compassion & Justice Rally aims to equip and encourage current volunteers—and anyone interested in learning more about Willow’s role in bringing compassion and justice to our world. “Our volunteers are our team’s most valuable resource,” says Austin. “The amount of time, energy, and giftedness our volunteers contribute to the work of compassion and justice at Willow Creek is staggering. They make a huge impact and we want to be good stewards of the passion and skills they offer.”

Compassion & Justice 101
But investing in current volunteers isn’t the only goal.

“We’re excited to introduce potential new volunteers to the work of Willow’s Compassion & Justice ministry,” Austin says. “The rally is a great way for anyone to grow in their understanding of the complex issues of compassion and justice, and to learn how Willow Creek volunteers make a difference.”

Heather will teach Compassion & Justice 101, a breakout session created specifically for anyone not currently involved in Compassion & Justice. Willow’s new Care Center will open in a few short months and the expanded services will mean the C&J volunteer teams will expand as well. “We have a place for you to serve,” says Heather. “In fact, we need you! Explore the Rally. Perhaps you will sense God nudging you to invest your spiritual gifts, talents, and skills on one of our teams.”

Register now
Compassion & Justice Volunteer Rally

8:30–11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2
Willow Creek’s South Barrington campus

We Love Because

We Love Because from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

(Be sure to mute the blog music at the bottom of this page before starting the video.)

Compassion

A quote from Henri Nouwen, internationally renowned priest and author, respected professor and pastor:

"The word compassion is derived for the Latin words pati and cum, which together mean "to suffer with." Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.



Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human."