More than 1,500 churches across the United States will join Compassion International, the world's largest Christian child development organization, to help break the cycle of poverty for children living in 25 of the world's poorest countries. Since 1993, 10,000 U.S. churches have participated in the annual Compassion Sunday event, resulting in 100,000 of the world's poorest children receiving a sponsor and physical, economic, educational and spiritual care to enable them to become responsible, thriving adults.

"Compassion Sunday gives churchgoers a tangible way to help the poor -- by offering hope and encouragement to a child in need," said Jerry Henderson, National Church Relations Director at Compassion International and a former pastor. "Churches half a world away can serve as catalysts for permanent change in the life of a poverty-stricken child by becoming a child sponsor through Compassion International."

Millions of children living in poverty have no hope for their future. With few resources to change their circumstances and little or no encouragement, impoverished children will continue to remain in the grips of poverty -- unless someone intervenes.

Because local churches know the unique needs of their community's children, Compassion International works exclusively through local churches in Africa, Asia and South America, partnering with more than 5,000 community congregations from 60 denominations.

"Recognizing that the greatest poverty a child can face is a life without Jesus, Compassion is sharing the gospel with these children," said Jud Wilhite, author of Eyes Wide Open and senior pastor of Central Christian Church, Las Vegas. "Plus, they serve kids around the world through local churches so the local church and community also benefits."

Compassion International is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children -- enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Compassion has been awarded seven consecutive four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.