Riverside Baptist Church in Miami brought the opportunity to sponsor a child, quite literally, to its front yard.
The church hosted Compassion International’s semi trailer from January 12-16 and invited the church and community to be part of the Compassion Experience. Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy group that brings awareness to children in poverty around the world.
“People come and go through different interactive stations in the truck trailer,” said Otto Fernandez, Riverside’s pastor. “As they walk through they experience what it is like to be a child living in poverty.”
At the end of the tour visitors have the opportunity to sponsor a child although there is no obligation to do so.
Fernandez and his wife first connected with Compassion International at a Christian concert they attended some years ago. That very same day they sponsored a child and today they sponsor a total of three.
“I hope people will get a sense of what is happening in third world countries—if you live here you are insulated from what poverty is like– and be moved to sponsor a child or volunteer if they can’t give,” he said.
Alexa Mora is a member at Riverside and also volunteers her time with Compassion.
“The Compassion Experience is an incredible way for families to experience life in another country and give families the opportunity to sponsor a child,” she said.
The total attendance for the event was 3,033 and 163 children were sponsored.
The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes also offers child sponsorship opportunities. For more information on how to get involved with the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes click here and to partner with Compassion International click here.
By Keila Diaz, Florida Baptist Convention, January 22, 2018
