Become and Child Advocate for Compassion

I was a sponsor with Compassion International for about a year before God encouraged me to consider advocating for the children of Compassion. 

ad·vo·ca·cy ( noun \ˈad-və-kə-sē\): the act or process of advocating or supporting a cause or proposal (Merriam-Webster)

If you are not already an advocate and have been considering becoming one, please read on and see if God is reaching out to you to take a stand for His children. You may also go to this Compassion link to learn more information getting more involved in Compassion ministry. Or you can get started on your advocate profile if you are ready to apply!

What is an Advocate? 

Compassion's High-Impact Volunteer Philosophy

  As an organization we highly value our volunteers. Compassion believes the Advocates Network is a prestigious and vital group of people. Advocates are not merely volunteers -- they are capable partners in this ministry who share our heart and vision for God's children.

Compassion's commitment in this partnership is to provide opportunities to serve and training that allows you to be effective as a partner in this ministry and within the Church.

• Educate Christians concerning the biblical mandate to love the poor.

• Share Compassion as one solution to those needs that provides a way for people to respond to the biblical mandate.

• Increase awareness of the needs of impoverished children around the world.

Advocate Position Description 

Position Summary:
An advocate is "one who defends, who pleads another's case or one who calls for one's aid." This volunteer position is designed for Compassion sponsors who have a desire to create greater impact for needy children, utilizing their time, talents and influence.

Purpose:
To use your gifts and influence to raise awareness of the needs of impoverished children and encourage others to respond to the biblical mandate to love the poor.

Responsible to:
Ultimately, advocacy is a self-initiated and self-scheduled volunteer position where you will personally manage your own time commitment and activity. Based upon your geographic location and giftings, you will be connected with a Regional Advocate Manager and fellow leadership Advocates to help facilitate your own intentional ministry efforts.

Expectations:

1. Be a consistent witness for Christ. Christ comes first in this ministry. We, therefore, encourage you to conduct yourself in a Christ-like manner, be in community with other believers for worship, and participate in the study and practice of God's Word.
2. Initiate activities to change lives through Compassion. Advocates increase the awareness of the needs of impoverished children around the world and promote Compassion as one solution to meet those needs. You will represent Compassion ministries within your sphere of influence for the purpose of releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. This is accomplished primarily through the acquisition of sponsorship commitments and fundraising. These activities may take on many forms, including presenting Compassion's ministry to local churches, individuals or groups, participating in marketing campaigns, and placing sponsorship displays and posters. The most effective activities may likely be those you create to utilize your own strengths, gifts and passion.
3. Staff sign-up tables at Compassion events. While being an Advocate will largely consist of YOU generating opportunities to present the ministry, you are encouraged to staff the sign-up tables at Compassion marketing events held in your area. Events include church activities, concerts, conferences, festivals and radio marathons. You may also be contacted about helping other Advocates or groups with their Compassion presentations.
4. Engage in training and enrichment opportunities. Remaining well-trained and keeping current with changes in Compassion's ministry is vital to effective advocacy. Therefore, all Advocates are encouraged to complete initial training, participate in web and phone-based ongoing training opportunities, and attend local, regional, national and global events designed to enhance your effectiveness.
5. Stay connected. While you have a great deal of autonomy and flexibility in your position, you will want to stay apprised of all resources and opportunities offered by the Advocate Network. In order to be a good steward of time and resources, please be attentive and responsive to all communications from the Advocate Network.

Length of commitment: An Advocate may step down at any point and could be asked to step down if a lack of commitment is demonstrated. Commitment will be evaluated annually.
 

(Resource: information obtained from compassion.com)