COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 2, 2008 – Author and Compassion International staff worker Amber Van Schooneveld's book Hope Lives has been released today in the form of ministry kits for pastors, small groups, youth and children's groups. The book, which challenges readers to engage global issues with God's love, is part of a five-week series that guides churches to explore issues of poverty and God's responses to them. 

"Each morning, I browse through the news, and the stories I read make it hard to believe in hope," said Van Schooneveld. "But hope is still very much alive. It's not a journey of guilt or obligation. It's a journey of God's grace restoring us to the people He created us to be, and a journey of serving God to bring His grace and love to those in need." 

Hope Lives is now being offered as a five-week series for churches, Christian gatherings, and church groups. The Pastor's Kit, which will give pastors everything they need for this five-week church series, includes the book, a Pastor's Guide, Sermon Clips DVD, and Tools for the Pastor CD-Rom. There are also kits for small groups, youth ministries, and children's ministries. Leaders can use the series to encourage their small group, youth group, or children to develop a Jesus-centered, compassionate response to poverty. 

Amber Van Schooneveld has contributed to numerous ministry resources and coaches an international team of writers and photographers for Compassion International.  Her book, Hope Lives: A Journey of Restoration, is published by Group Publishing. March 2008. Paperback, 192 pages. $12.99. ISBN: 978-0764437885. 

Compassion International is one of the world's largest Christian child development organizations. It works with more than 65 denominations and 4,500 indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. 

Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than 1.8 million children and has been recognized for its financial integrity with top ratings and recommendations by several of the nation's leading not-for-profit "watchdog" organizations.  

For information on sponsoring a child, visit Compassion online at compassion.com or call (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT.