2026-03-22

Mike, a worship leader and ambassador for Child Care International, delivers a powerful sermon at Nelson Covenant Church on the church's responsibility to respond to global poverty. He begins by expressing gratitude to the church leadership, especially Daryl, who is hospitalized, and highlights the dedication of the worship team. Drawing from James 1 and Micah 6, Mike emphasizes that true faith must be lived out through tangible acts of mercy—particularly caring for orphans, widows, and the marginalized. He shares personal stories of sponsoring children in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, illustrating how child sponsorship through faith-based education breaks cycles of poverty while transforming lives through Christ-centered learning. Mike presents compelling statistics on global poverty, noting that the pandemic reversed decades of progress, with over 300 million children now living in extreme poverty. He calls the congregation to action, inviting them to sponsor a child for $45 a month—a small sacrifice in an affluent society that yields profound spiritual and practical impact. The message culminates in a call to become the hands and feet of Jesus, with a final appeal rooted in Jesus' words in Matthew 25: 'Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.' The service concludes with worship and an invitation to connect with Child Care International in the foyer. Key takeaways include: (1) True faith is demonstrated through action, not just belief; (2) Child sponsorship through Christian education is a powerful tool to break generational poverty; (3) Even small financial sacrifices can have eternal impact; (4) We are called to make global suffering personal; (5) The church must be actively involved in practical compassion; (6) God honors faithful stewardship, often multiplying blessings beyond expectations; (7) Every believer has a role in advancing God’s kingdom through service; (8) The opportunity to transform a child’s life is available today through simple, intentional steps.