Child Sponsorship Made Easy

By Jennifer Johnson

Bruce Wydick, a professor of economics and international studies at the University of San Francisco, recently reported that sponsoring a child is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty around the world. Now Christian Missionary Fellowship (Indianapolis, IN) is making it easier than ever for churches to involve their members in child sponsorship with its new Start! program.

Families, individuals, and groups can all sponsor a child through CMF, and Start! is specifically created to help churches launch events to introduce the concept and connect members to children in need.

CMF provides promotional videos, sermon manuscripts, video testimonies, fact sheets, photos, logos, web banners, PowerPoint templates, infographics, and other resources to churches interested in holding a Start! event. The ministry also sends the information cards and photos of children currently awaiting sponsors so church members can choose a child and begin changing a life right away.

“These events inspire and educate congregations,” says the CMF team. “And our child sponsorship programs are part of a larger holistic ministry aimed at transforming communities, planting churches, equipping leaders, improving health, and providing jobs.” CMF points out that when church members sponsor children through programs like Start!, there are no decreases in regular church giving.

The $38 of monthly support provides a sponsored child with a school uniform and supplies; textbooks; two nutritious meals a day, access to VBS, Bible camps, and other spiritual development activities; medical care and immunizations; and other benefits.

“Child sponsorship not only helps the children,” says CMF. “It can also make a huge difference in the lives of sponsors and in the life of a church.”

Visit www.cmfi.org/energize to learn more!