Compassion for a World in Need

Compassion for a World in Need

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

This beloved verse captures the heart of evangelical faith: the firm conviction that God loves every human being and offers eternal salvation to all who place their trust in Jesus. As Jesus’ followers we emulate his generosity and love for our neighbors in need, across all barriers of race, ethnicity, nationality or geography. 

For two thousand years, Christians have obeyed Jesus’ command to go into all the world, preaching the gospel in word and deed, and making disciples of all nations. We honor the dignity of God’s image in all people, uphold the sanctity of every human life, and embrace the call to show compassion for the orphan, the widow and the vulnerable wherever they are found. 

As citizens in a country blessed with abundance and unparalleled global influence, we also recognize the responsibility to steward our nation’s resources in a way that leads to a more peaceful and prosperous world. Such a world contributes to our national flourishing and security. 

But more is at stake than our own security and prosperity. Jesus taught that “[f]rom everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). 

We celebrate the millions of lives saved and the substantial contributions to human flourishing that have been achieved both in the United States and around the world through public and faith-based aid initiatives, often working in effective partnerships that respect the distinctive callings of governments and churches. The Bible offers multiple examples of public-private partnerships (Nehemiah 2:1–10, Ezra 1:1–8; Luke 7:1–6), and several Supreme Court decisions have established that government may not exclude faith-based groups when it partners with secular organizations. 

But much more can and must be done. Millions of people die each year of preventable causes, and millions more live in extreme poverty. More than 100 million people have been displaced from their homes by wars, persecution and natural disasters. Our total U.S. poverty-focused response to these needs represents less than 1 percent of our national budget, and Americans give only about 0.1 percent of their personal income to international charities. 

Christians are not utopians; we recognize that some aid programs have been ineffective or co-opted to promote values not shared by many Americans. These programs should be reformed or discontinued. We also understand that human suffering will persist until Christ returns. But this reality should spur us to greater engagement and generosity, not less. As the Apostle Paul urged the Corinthians: 

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6–8). 

Therefore, we call on all Christians to: 

• Pray and give generously to support both evangelism and ministries of compassion, both at home and abroad; 

• Advocate with members of Congress and the administration for poverty-focused international assistance, with a particular focus on partnership with effective faith-based charities; and 

• Welcome, befriend and share the love of Jesus with immigrants and refugees in our communities. 

We call on Congress and the administration to: 

• Undertake a review of foreign aid effectiveness in a way that does not hamstring current operations; 

• Maintain support for poverty-focused international assistance and refugee resettlement, continuing to work with faith-based implementing partners wherever appropriate; and 

• Articulate for the American people the compelling rationale for continued global engagement and U.S. leadership in international humanitarian and development cooperation and refugee resettlement. 

Denominational Leaders

Elijah Brown, Baptist World Alliance (Falls Church, VA)

Jonathan Schaeffer, The Christian & Missionary Alliance (Pickerington, OH)

Jean Hawxhurst, The United Methodist Church (Simpsonville, KY)

Randall Bach, National Association of Evangelicals (Bella Vista, AR)

Doug Beacham, International Pentecostal Holiness Church (Bethany, OK)

Tammy Swanson-Draheim, The Evangelical Covenant Church (Chicago, IL)

Stan Ingersol, Church of the Nazarene (Overland Park, KS)

Nicholas Kersten, Seventh Day Baptist General Conference of USA (Janesville, WI)

Keith Cowart, Free Methodist Church (Midland, GA)

Kevin York, Every Nation Churches (Brentwood, TN)

Bryan Chapell, Unlimited Grace (Duluth, GA)

Rocky Rocholl, Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (Fort Wayne, IN)

Marc Gauthier, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (Lake Elmo, MN)

Randy Carter, Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, Inc. (Dunn, NC)

Wayne Schmidt, The Wesleyan Church (Fishers, IN)

Johanna Rugh, The Wesleyan Church (Fishers, IN)

Dan DeKam, Christian Reformed Church in North America (Grand Rapids, MI)

John Hopler, Reliant Mission (Johnstown, OH)

Monte Dillard, Church of God Ministries (Anderson, IN)

Ministry Leaders

Walter Kim, National Association of Evangelicals (Charlottesville, VA)

Myal Greene, World Relief (Virginia Beach, VA)

Santiago Mellado, Compassion International (Colorado Springs, CO)

Edgar Sandoval, World Vision (Federal Way, Washington)

Commissioner Merle Heatwole, The Salvation Army USA (Alexandria, VA)

Carlos Campo, Museum of the Bible (Washington, DC)

Rich Stearns, World Vision (Washington, DC)

David Hoag, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (Washington, DC)

Nicole Martin, Christianity Today (Hanover, MD)

Tom De Vries, Citygate Network (Colorado Springs, CO)

Jason Thomas, National Campus Ministry (Verona, WI)

Carl Nelson, Transform Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Gabriel Salguero, National Latino Evangelical Coalition (Orlando, FL)

Ryan O’Leary, National Association of Native Evangelicals (Two Harbors, MN)

Scott Arbeiter, World Relief (New Berlin, WI)

Briana Stensrud, Women of Welcome (Colorado Springs, CO)

Naomi Cramer Overton, We Are Becoming (Larkspur, CO)

Tami Heim, Christian Leadership Alliance (Gallatin, TN)

Shirley Hoogstra, Shirley Hoogstra LLC (Grand Rapids, MI)

Elizabeth Ha, Five Talents USA (Vienna, VA)

Karen Hoida, Compassion International (Colorado Springs, CO)

Nick Hall, The Table Coalition (Minneapolis, MN)

Bob Andringa, Former CCCU Head (Scottsdale, AZ)

Christy Staats, National Immigration Forum (Stow, OH)

Rick Meschino, All Souls Anglican (Carol Stream, IL)

Gordon Woolard, Joy of All Nations (Suwanee, GA)

Robin Thomas, Thomas Charities/Touch A Village (Landenberg, PA)

Brent Fulton, ChinaSource (Sacramento, CA)

Rahn Strickler, One Challenge (The Colony, TX)

Steven Eisinger, EFCA ReachGlobal (Indianapolis, IN)

Gary Hipp, The Navigators (Fort Meyers, FL)

Steve Posey, Campus Crusade for Christ (Orlando, FL)

Joel Kersey, National Association of Evangelicals (Pryor Creek, OK)

Rev Alex Makarios Tah, Agape Kingdom International Mission (Cleveland, OH)

Marissa Adema, Pheonix Refugee Connections (Mesa, AZ)

Greg Krumbach, Operation Mobilization (Omaha, NE)

Artyom Keller, World Relief (Washington, DC)

Steven Eng, National Association of Evangelicals (Rochester, MN)

Jonathan Wiles, Living Water International (Stafford, TX)

Rachel Anderson, Hope & Consulting (Takoma Park, MD)

Shanon Mendez, Breakthrough (Washington, DC)

Kathleen Leslie, KD Leslie LLC (Baltimore, MD)

Brian Kluth, GenerosityPledge.org (Golden, CO)

Andrew Richards, Open Doors US (Newport Beach, CA)

Jerry McCorkle, Spread Truth (Simpsonville, SC)

Rylee Lacy, National Association of Evangelicals (Washington, DC)

Patty Pell, Denver Seminary (Denver, CO)

Richard Gathro, 21^st Century Dads Found (Danville, KY)

Karen Wright Marsh, Theological Horizons (Charlottesville, VA)

Lonnette Ostrander, Michigan Christian Study Center (Ann Arbor, MI)

Donna Whitman, Global Service Associates (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)

Victor Chen, Medical Ambassadors International (Salida, CA)

Laura Armstrong, Global Community Partners (Boise, ID)

Ann Graber Hershberger, Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (Akron, PA)

Susan Vinton, Grace Ministries International (Wyoming, MI)

Keith So, Lawndale Christian Health Center (Vernon Hills, IL)

Eric Carlsson, Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation (Madison, WI)

Timothy Issa Mtiti, Timothy Ministries International

Brooklyn Cadwallader, SOAR Partners (Tulsa, OK)

Monica Haberkamp, All Nations Christian Fellowship Church (Dublin, OH)

Brian Sytsma, World Vision (Auburn, WA)

Edward Shih, Chara Media (Denver, CO)

Kevin Engel, Christianity Today (Wheaton, IL)

Michelle Kirtley, Association for Public Justice (Chapel Hill, NC)

Robert Osburn, Wilberforce International Institute (Stillwater, MN)

Toni Kim, National Association of Evangelicals (Charlottesville, VA)

Miguel Lau, International Justice Mission (Alexandria, VA)

Matt Markins, Awana (St. Charles, IL)

Eric Ha, Medical Teams International (Portland, OR)

Galen Carey, National Association of Evangelicals (Columbia, MD)

Church Leaders

Dr. Derwin L. Gray, Transformation Church (Charlotte, NC)

Doug Sauder, Calvary Chapel Ft Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Reid Kapple, Trinity Fellowship (Olathe, KS)

Nathan Paulus, Radiant Church (Wichita, KS)

Claude Alexander, The Park Church (Charlotte, NC)

Dr. David Anderson, Bridgeway Community Church & Gracism Global (Columbia, MD)

Joe Miller, University Heights Baptist Church (Springfield, MI)

Kyle Robinson, Wooddale Church (Eden Prairie, MN)

Linda Reavis, Refuge Church Orlando (Orlando, FL)

Jess Allen, One Creation Church (Benson, NC)

Phil Hughes, Missio Dei (Salt Lake City, UT)

Craig Anderson, Youth with a Mission (Chico, CA)

Ken Knipp, YoungLife (Colorado Springs, CO)

Ryan Alexander, Hosanna Church (Lakeville, MN)

Rod Walley, Nexus Pointe Church (Moncks Corner, SC)

Kristel Acevedo, Transformation Church (Fort Mill, SC)

Wayne Bridegroom, Central Baptist Church (Modesto, CA)

Sherry Lamm, Central Community Church (Wichita, KS)

Susan Addington, NWA Arkansas Church (Fayetteville, AR)

Dr. Donald Johnson, Lifeline Ministries Int’l (Jasper, GA)

Amy Heckman, Sarasota Trinity Church of the Nazarene (Sarasota, FL)

Barbara Walker, Eastern Star Church (Indianapolis, IN)

Beverly Feiker, Emmanuel Faith Community Church (Escondido, CA)

Daniel Viehland, First United Methodist Church (Fort Lupton, CO)

Wilson Strickhausen, Saint Matthew United Methodist Church (Fort Worth, TX)

Kevin McBride, Raymond Baptist Church  (Raymond, NH)

Ben Pitzen, Renew Community (Lansdale, PA)

Jason O’Grady, Calvary Evangelical Free Church (Rochester, MN)

Ralph Gustafson, Calvary Church (Saint Paul, MN)

Kristi Burtner, Preston Trail Community Church (Frisco, TX)

Kevin Stuhlmann, Doxa Church (Rochester, MI)

Phil McLain, West Chehalem Friends Church (Newberg, OR)

Terrence Woodnorth, United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd (Lebanon, PA)

Paco Amador, New Life Church in Little Village (Chicago, IL)

Authors and Academics

 Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX)

Shirley Mullen, Houghton University (Houghton, NY)

Mark Young, Denver Seminary (Littleton, CO)

Jay Baylor, Love Baltimore (Baltimore, MD)

Dr. Bruch Reichenbach, Augsburg University

Gaylan Mathiesen, Lutheran Brethren Seminary (Fergus Falls, MN)

Michael Ritter, Gordon College (Wenham, MA)

Raymond Lewis, Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL)

Bruce Barron, Politics for the People (Colorado Springs, CO)

Miriam Adeney, Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity (Seattle, WA)

Cathy Urdahl, Westwood Community Church (Excelsior, MN)

Jon Houghton, Holy Post Media (Oak Park, IL)

Mindy Belz, World Magazine (Asheville, NC)

Ronald Pagnucco, Journal of Social Encounters (St. Joseph, MN)

Terumi Echols, InterVarsity Press (Lisle Township, IL)