Compassionate Products
When Jesus was asked to name the most important commandment (Mark 12:28), He replied that the Lord is One — we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. But He didn’t stop there. He added, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus’ well-known parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) elaborates: Our neighbor is the person in need.
Through years of experience, Here’s Life has found that providing for people’s physical and emotional needs is a vital demonstration of the Gospel. It says God cares about them in a way they can immediately understand and opens the door for further spiritual conversation.
What we call "Compassionate Products" first became part of Here’s Life’s outreach in 1987. A children’s ministry from Brooklyn was looking for a way to connect with the families of the children they were reaching. The ministry leader and the Here’s Life director were friends, and as they talked and prayed about this need, the idea of Boxes of Love developed. If each child could present a Thanksgiving meal from the ministry to his/her family, that would be a strong bridge. Here’s Life committed to help raise money for the Boxes of Love (500 that first year), and a tradition began which continues strongly today.
Homeless Care Kits (← blankets, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, toiletries and Christian materials) came next, providing our partner ministries with vital resources to reach out to the homeless. Easter Bags (→), filled with sweet treats, toys, fruit and children’s materials, have become great ways to connect with children. Events featuring these gift Bags draw kids into the church and expose them to caring Christians.
PowerPacks (← backpacks filled with school supplies) and back-to-school shoes not only provide necessary resources to inner-city children, but they also demonstrate to parents that their children are cared for — a wonderful open door to moms and dads.
Compassionate Products are part of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, demonstrating God’s heart of caring and compassion.
Previous Spotlights:
Short-term Mission Opportunities
S.A.Y. Yes! Centers for Youth Development
ForwardBound: From Crisis to Careers and Christ