Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

In 1952, evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson preached in Korea. Moved by the plight of the Korean War orphans, Swanson established a program through which caring Christians could sponsor needy children for a few dollars a month. Swanson's program gave rise to Compassion, an organization that is Christ-centred, child-focused, and church-based.

This is Our Story.

Nothing had prepared American evangelist, Rev. Everett Swanson, for the disturbing scenes that greeted him when he arrived in South Korea in 1952.

As he went about to preach to soldiers, he saw swarms of homeless children, orphaned by the Korean War. Dressed in rags, they wandered, begging amidst the rubble of the bombed-out cities. Surrounded by chaos and destruction, these kids only had a slim chance to survive. Compassion welled in Rev. Swanson's heart.

The sight of such bottomless misery may have crushed a man of lesser faith, but Rev. Swanson took his burden to God. God's quiet, but unmistakable voice propelled him into action.

On his return home, he organized a network of concerned Christians who were willing to provide destitute Korean orphans with schooling, clothing, food, and other needs. In 1952, from the basement of his home in Chicago, he started the Everett Swanson Evangelist Association (ESEA) to coordinate an unprecedented effort aimed at relieving children's suffering. He travelled back to Korea dozens of times and enlisted the help of Christian orphanages willing to care for his orphans.

Soon, ESEA was working with lepers, beggar boys, widows, unwed mothers, the deaf, and the blind. Sponsors sent money, as well as warm clothing, vitamins, and other goods. They could support Korean evangelists as well as needy children.

In 1959, ESEA started a newsletter for its supporters, titled, Compassion. On the masthead of each issue appeared Matthew 15:32 "I have compassion on the multitudes . . . I will not send them away." In 1963, the organization changed its name to Compassion Incorporated.

From 1952 to 1968, Compassion worked solely in South Korea. In November 1965, Rev. Swanson died, never dreaming his work would spread beyond Korea's borders. But in 1968, under the direction of a new president and a committed board of directors, Compassion expanded to Indonesia and India.

Help also came from other nations. Compassion Canada was born in 1963 in the home of Bob and Janet Forsyth of Blenheim, Ontario. This committed couple wanted to expand Compassion's ministry from the United States to Canada, and allow caring Canadians to respond to the needs of children around the world.

Compassion Canada became the second of ten partner countries, which form the Compassion network today — Compassion Australia, Compassion Canada, Compassion International (US), Compassion Netherlands (Holland), SEL France, TEAR Fund New Zealand, Compassion United Kingdom, Compassion Italy, Compassion Switzerland and Compassion South Korea.

In 1972, Rev. Jim Somerville became the first Canadian president and Compassion Canada's offices moved to London, Ontario. Rev. Somerville carried Compassion's torch until 1983, when Dave MacLeod continued in his place. Since 1993, Rev. Barry Slauenwhite has served as president/CEO.

In 2002, in the United States, Compassion International celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In 2003 Compassion Canada followed suit marking its 40th Anniversary. In April 2007 Compassion Canada celebrated its 50,000 sponsored child.

Compassion is now active in 24 countries of the world, serving almost 800,000 children. Worldwide, we are rejoicing together at a man's legacy that continues to change the lives of children.