Who is Compassion International? Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult. Compassion's work has grown from modest beginnings in South Korea in 1952 when American evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson felt compelled to help 35 children orphaned by the Korean conflict. Today it is a worldwide ministry where millions of children are now reaping the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision. Who We Are What is Compassion? Compassion means “to suffer with” and is an emotional response of sympathy. But it’s not just a feeling. The feeling is combined with a desire to help. Because we have compassion, we want to take action and help the person who is suffering. Notice the last word of the definition above — “with.” We are called to suffer with someone, to suffer together. This is what differentiates compassion from empathy. Who is Compassion International? Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult. Compassion's work has grown from modest beginnings in South Korea in 1952 when American evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson felt compelled to help 35 children orphaned by the Korean conflict. Today it is a worldwide ministry where millions of children are now reaping the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision. Compassion. A movement. A calling. A cause. A people. Compassion is global, reflecting the beautiful diversity of God's kingdom. Two Haitian boys and two Haitian girls in blue uniforms stand together next to one another. We are collaborative, depending on teamwork and partnership. We are inclusive and accepting of others. Four little Bolivian girls sit around a brown, wooden table, eating soup. We are honest. We say what we mean, and we do what we say. We are respectful, protecting the divine character in everyone. We strive to always be grace filled, kind, forgiving and merciful. An African woman holds a baby and is hugged by her husband. We are loving. God's love fuels us, and we unabashedly love one another. We are passionate, against injustice and for our cause. Compassion is authentic, facing hard realities with an adventuresome spirit. We are totally focused on our our mission. Single-minded in our pursuit. A young Nicaraguan girl sits with one arm draped around her mothers neck. Our ministry is contextual, customized and culturally relevant. It is effective, proven and outcome driven. Our creative spirit drives innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities before us. Compassion is professional. We do our work with excellence but without pretension. Our faith in God and in His promises empowers us to be confident. In the face of evil raging around us, we remain hopeful and lift one another's spirits as we go about our mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.