A TRUSTED SOURCE
Compassion is not a church planting organization. However, our child development program is a natural complement to young church plants. Together we draw families to the church and offer the opportunity to meet our Savior.
Sometimes church planting is a messy proposition. But the process doesn’t have to be unpredictable. When you partner with a trusted source, you can minimize surprises.
Since 2011, Stadia and Compassion, created a well-defined church planting model that identifies timelines, responsibilities, expectations and accountability. This model has allowed church planting partners to start more than 260 churches worldwide. We are a trusted guide with global relational equity and reliable accountability.
RELATIONAL TRUST
Compassion International has a legacy of strong relationships globally. Since 1952, indigenous, gospel-centered churches have hosted Compassion’s child development program. Today our network of trusted churches includes more than 8,000 church relationships.
Strategically, Compassion registers neighborhood children to come to the church for programmatic benefits at the child development center. Often entire families follow in church attendance. This symbiotic relationship between Compassion and church plant provides a great foundation for viable ministry before church doors open for ministry.
OVERSIGHT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Compassion’s network of churches span 29 developing countries. Each country operates strategically to select and train frontline churches that implement Compassion’s child development program. Although the priority of the national office is primarily the success of the child development center, the general health of the church is also monitored. To date, all 260+ church plants are still sharing Christ’s love and grace in their neighborhoods and operating as fully developed churches.
In the church planting process, the national office identifies churches who are ready to multiply. These “mother churches” choose a location for a new plant and selects a planter who is visionary, gifted and trained to plant. The mother church provides oversight and encouragement for the planter so the church has every opportunity to thrive and grow.
FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC MANAGEMENT
Compassion’s child development centers are under strict financial accountability. Every month they submit financial reports of income and expenses. Programmatically, Compassion also audits routinely to make sure each child is achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones.
Funding church plant partners benefit from similar accountability during the planting process. Periodic reports show completed project objectives toward a finished building (see Q&A below). Open and accessible communication is critical during the first year.
PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION
Partnership is not simply working together. It is collaborating on something both sides care about and do more efficiently together. That describes the partnership between church planting partners and Compassion International.
Compassion is a seasoned practitioner working globally with gospel-centered churches. Our child development program gives the hosting church an opportunity to give goodwill to their community as a means to share the Good News with their neighbors (Acts 2).
BUILDING ON STRENGTHS
Although a church planting partner is resolute in their strategy to spread the gospel, the challenge is great for those who want to plant internationally: Where do we start? Who has expertise that we can trust? Is the cost justified? Is financial accountability in place? What does it take to engage our congregants in church planting and beyond?
With decades of experience, Compassion has a vetted process that serves church planting partners well. Our country offices in Latin America, Asia and Africa provide a unique vantage point from which we can align a funding church planting partner with an indigenous mother-church who is ready to multiply.
CATALYTIC PARTNERSHIPS
Stadia Church Planting and Compassion are an example of a symbiotic relationship. Together we created a well-defined church planting model that identifies timelines, responsibilities, expectations and accountability. Since 2011, Stadia and Compassion have successfully planted more than 160 churches.
This model for church planting is not only a basis for understanding, but it also provides documentation for all partners to navigate complexities. With a decade of experience implementing this model, we can confidently predict the first worship service in a new building 12-14 months after funding is complete.
BRING THE MISSION HOME
Additionally, there is a win for the funding U.S. church: A ready-made scope of missions for its congregants. Each congregant is invited to sponsor a child attending the Compassion child development program at the new church plant. Through child sponsorship there is a vested interest to pray consistently for the new church, the Compassion child development center, and the spiritual growth of the sponsored child.
BETTER TOGETHER
Church planting partners and Compassion are good collaborators who will advance the call from Matthew 28:18-20. We continue to look for U.S. partners who have God’s perspective on His church and children.
Whatever phase your church is in for planting – praying, dreaming or planning – we welcome a conversation with you. Request dialogue with a Compassion Church Engagement team member. Let’s do ministry together.