Before Your Event

You’ve chosen a date and registered your event — it’s time to start planning. If you have any questions or want to customize your Compassion Sunday event to meet the unique needs of your church, email us at [email protected].

Below is a list of the things you’ll want to take care of first:

Plan your presentation. Talk with your pastor about it.

Will he or she play a role in your event? How much time will you have during the service? What kind of event is right for your church? Use the Pastor's Guide to help guide your conversation. And be sure to check out this page of helpful tips for talking with your pastor.

Include a story.

Listeners respond better to stories than facts. And everybody has a story, so make sure to share yours! Share your sponsorship story by telling about when you first started sponsoring, by explaining how sponsorship has impacted your family or by reading meaningful words from letters from your child.

Use our tools.

We have great resources to help you plan an effective presentation.

  1. Use the simple online presentation tool to create a custom printable presentation. Just answer a few questions about your heart for children in poverty and your involvement with Compassion. We’ll give you a complete outline for your talk!

  2. Check out videos, a PowerPoint presentation and promotional materials on the Plan Your Presentation page. They’ll help make your event a success!

Make arrangements to show the video and PowerPoint presentation.

Talk to your church media staff about showing the video and PowerPoint presentation (if you choose to use one). Find this year's Compassion Sunday video here. And don’t forget to test it in advance to avoid any technical difficulties!

Plan your sponsorship table.

Ask your church if they can supply a table. Secure a good location in a highly trafficked area, like the entrance to the main sanctuary. On the day of your event, make sure to bring all your table decorations from your Event Kit — including a tablecloth! Hang the banner and set up the tabletop display.

Promote your Compassion Sunday event.

As your event date approaches, you’ll want to get the word out! Hang up the poster you receive in your Event Kit where people will see it — preferably on a door or near the main sanctuary.

Pray.

Ask God to use you as you speak up for children in need. We’re also praying for you.

Tim, Compassion Sunday host

“I have learned that when you get out of your boat like Peter did, despite expecting really rough water, that Jesus promises to be there with you. It is where you are supposed to go. So, you just have to get out of the boat and let Jesus take over.”
– Tim, Compassion Sunday host