Compassion for Bangladesh

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jul 3, 2004

Compassion International, a Colorado Springs-based Christian organization that gives aid to poor children worldwide, has opened an office in Bangladesh.

The office opened June 28 and workers in the region are beginning to register children, according to Mary Ann Strombitski, corporate communications director for Compassion.

Donors won't be able to send gifts to the country's children for another couple of months.

About 75 percent of children in Bangladesh are malnourished, Compassion says.

"The poverty in Bangladesh is staggering," Compassion President Wesley Stafford said in a news release. "By partnering with local churches in the community, Compassion intends to bring hope to the children in this country."

Compassion works in 22 countries, providing children with food, education and spiritual guidance.

400 MILLION SERVED

The International Bible Society, which translates and distributes the New International Version Bible, has handed out more than 402 million Bibles during the past 195 years.

The organization was founded in New York but now is based in Colorado Springs.

By the year 2009, IBS President Peter Bradley wants to reach 2 billion people. That's with a "B."

"There's all these new channels of outreach that are available now that weren't available when IBS started," Bradley said.

IBS is branching out into these areas, managing seven Web sites in different languages and teaming with radio partners to broadcast Christian messages into China and the Middle East.

"We know there are millions and millions of people who are hungry to know about Jesus in China," Bradley said.

GODAPALOOZA

Nine local praise bands will participate in "Worship in the Park II" beginning at 9 a.m. July 10 in Acacia Park.

The all-day praise-fest (it ends at 6 p.m.) is free and sponsored by Guitar Center and Front Line Worship Mission, an outreach ministry of New Life Church.

Participating bands are: Living Springs Church worship team; Forest Ridge Community Church worship team; Steve Conrad and friends; Abandonment; One Way; Crusade; Sonflowerz; Academy Christian worship team; and TheNations.

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Asay: fax 636-0202 or e-mail pasay@gazette.com