A church doesn't have to be big to have a big impact on Compassion Sunday. The 31 members of Hollis Community Church for Christ (HCCC) in Queens, N.Y., have demonstrated this by sponsoring children in need in other countries — despite tremendous needs of their own.

These congregation members are no strangers to hard times. More than 90 percent are immigrants from Jamaica. Many had to start over when they came to America, struggling to find jobs and making meager wages. Providing for their own families is often a struggle.

But those struggles have taught them a resourcefulness that many Western churches may not understand. "We give, even when there seems to be nothing left to give," says church member Jackie Taylor. "We are very active in our community, helping our neighbors. But when it came to giving to a ministry that we couldn't see on a day-to-day basis — well, that was a hard decision."

A Tough Sell

Jackie's sister, Karen, brought one of those "unseen" ministries to Hollis Community Church for Christ when she asked the small congregation to host a Compassion Sunday in 2001. Karen, who sponsors a child, asked if she could set up a display at the church. Jackie was skeptical. After all, it's one thing to give food to your neighbor or to volunteer at school. But how could these struggling families afford to support a child in another country? A child they would never meet?

On that first Compassion Sunday, two members became sponsors. Those sponsors told others about the experience, sharing the letters they received from their children. The next year more became sponsors. Now, seven years later, every family at HCCC sponsors a child! And that small display has ballooned into a three-week-long event.

"We firmly believe in Compassion and all that they are doing in helping to alleviate poverty around the world," says Jackie. "We take great pride in hosting our Compassion Sunday at HCCC. Our event runs for three weeks. Sponsors will bring in pictures of their children. Each Sunday leading up to the event we show a Compassion video. And on the final Sunday, we have a breakfast. Sponsors speak about their children. It is a beautiful event. It brings me to tears every year."

The Best Kind of Growth

Church members do not take their decision to sponsor children lightly, Jackie says. She has seen people sacrifice to give to their sponsored children. One woman even gave a large portion of a settlement from a car accident to her sponsored child.

"In terms of giving, our local congregation has truly experienced growth," says Jackie. We are extremely sensitive to the needs of others, especially children."

The church has proven that making an impact really boils down to one person releasing one child from poverty.

"We like to encourage small congregations like us to get involved and see God work," says Jackie. "God has taught us that giving our tithes and offerings cannot be enough. Our finances must be made available to always help those in need. Especially His children."