1952
Compassion International was founded
Compassion International is founded by evangelist Rev. Everett Swanson, who was moved by the plight of orphans in South Korea. Evangelist Everett Swanson travels from Chicago to South Korea to preach the gospel to soldiers fighting in the Korean War. During his visit he encounters children orphaned by the war. Rev. Swanson is challenged by a missionary friend: “You have seen the tremendous needs and unparalleled opportunities of this land. What do you intend to do about it?” Two cheques are presented to Rev. Swanson ($50 and $1,000) upon his return to the United States, to help the orphans of Korea. “This was conclusive proof to me that God was in it,” Rev. Swanson says. Everett’s wife Miriam Swanson and family friends Dr. Gus and Helen Hemwall encourage, support and work with Rev. Swanson in his efforts to help Korean orphans. Dr. Hemwall provides medical supplies and significant financial resources as Everett launches his ministry.1963
Everett Swanson changes the name of the ministry to Compassion
Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:32, “I have compassion on the multitude. I will not send them away hungry,” as well as a growing uneasiness with seeing his own name represent a growing ministry, Swanson changes the name of Everett Swanson Evangelical Association to Compassion International.1964
Compassion Canada is established
Compassion of Canada, Ltd. (now known as “Compassion Canada”) is formed. Bob and Janet Forsyth open their home to house the first Canadian office. This committed couple is key in expanding Compassion’s ministry from the United States to Canada, and allow caring Canadians to respond to the needs of children around the world.1965
Everett Swanson dies
On November 15, 1965, Everett Swanson dies, 13 years after pioneering Compassion’s ministry. In 1966, after several months of prayer, the board selects Henry L. Harvey as president of Compassion and appoints Miriam Swanson, Everett’s widow, to serve as vice-president.1968
Compassion begins its international growth
Compassion begins its international growth outside of Korea and establishes programming in India, Indonesia and Haiti.1970
Compassion begins work in Thailand and the Dominican Republic
1972
Jim Somerville becomes first Canadian president
Jim Somerville becomes the first president of Compassion Canada. Compassion Canada’s office moves to London, Ontario. Compassion begins work in the Philippines.1974
Compassion begins work in Colombia, Ecuador and Honduras
1975
Wally Erickson becomes Compassion’s third president
In June of 1975, Wally Erickson becomes Compassion International’s third president. He had served the organization for eight years prior to his appointment. Tearfund, a Christian relief agency in the United Kingdom, becomes affiliated with Compassion for child sponsorship. Compassion establishes programming in Bolivia and Brazil.1977
Compassion begins work in El Salvador
1978
Compassion Australia is established
Australian sponsors help create Compassion Limited of Australia, headquartered in Newcastle.1979
Compassion begins work in Mexico and Rwanda
1980
Compassion’s work expands to four more countries
Compassion establishes programming in four countries: Kenya, Uganda, Guatemala and Peru.1983
Dave MacLeod is named president of Compassion Canada
Dave MacLeod is named president of Compassion Canada following Jim Somerville’s retirement.1984
The Compassion Fund and Unsponsored Children’s Fund are introduced
Two funds beyond child sponsorship are introduced to help meet additional needs of children living in poverty. The Compassion Fund is introduced to provide extraordinary medical and education assistance to Compassion-sponsored children. The Unsponsored Children’s Fund is introduced to help provide support to newly registered children waiting for a sponsor. Today, these initiatives are funded by our Complementary Interventions and Urgent Needs Fund.1986
Tearfund New Zealand partners with Compassion
Tearfund New Zealand partners with Compassion in funding the child sponsorship program.1990
SEL France partners with Compassion
SEL France partners with Compassion in funding the child sponsorship program.1991
10,000 children now sponsored by Canadians
Compassion Canada hits the milestone of 10,000 children sponsored.1993
Barry Slauenwhite becomes Compassion Canada’s third President and CEO
As of 1993, more than 180,000 children are sponsored by Compassion in more than 2,000 project sites in 21 countries. Compassion leaves Korea after 40 successful years of ministry. Compassion begins work in Ethiopia. Wally Erickson retires from Compassion International after serving as president for 18 years. Wess Stafford assumes the presidency. Barry Slauenwhite is named Compassion Canada’s third president after 10 years of serving with the organization as Vice-President of Marketing and Church Ministry.1996
The Netherlands joins Compassion’s Global Partner Alliance
The Netherlands becomes the sixth Compassion partner country. Over 200,000 children are now sponsored through Compassion’s ministry worldwide. Compassion Canada reaches 15,000 sponsored children.1999
Compassion begins work in Tanzania
2001
More expansion in the Global Partner Alliance
Compassion Italy and Compassion UK are established. Over 400,000 children are now sponsored in 21 countries around the world.2002
Compassion International celebrates 50 years of ministry
Compassion International celebrates 50 years of ministry. The child sponsorship program expands into Nicaragua.2003
Compassion Suisse opens in Switzerland
Compassion Canada celebrates two milestones: its 40th anniversary and 25,000 children sponsored by Canadians. Over 500,000 children are supported through all of Compassion’s partners worldwide. Compassion Suisse opens in Switzerland. In December, Compassion begins its child development program in Bangladesh.2004
South Korea comes full circle in its relationship with Compassion
South Korea comes full circle in its relationship with Compassion, becoming a partner country and establishing Compassion Korea. Compassion expands to West Africa, beginning work in Burkina Faso, and then in Ghana one year later.2007
More expansion in both partner and program countries
Compassion Deutschland opens in Germany and Compassion establishes programming in Togo. Compassion Canada celebrates 50,000 children sponsored.2009
The one millionth Compassion child is sponsored
After reaching 1,000,000 registered children in 2008, Compassion celebrates 1,000,000 children sponsored in 2009. Compassion establishes programming in Sri Lanka.2013
Compassion Canada celebrates 50 years of ministry
Compassion Canada celebrates 50 years of ministry. Compassion Nordic joins the Global Partner Alliance. Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado is welcomed as Compassion International’s fifth president, after Wess Stafford’s retirement.2017
Compassion exits India
After 48 years of serving children in India, Compassion makes the difficult decision to stop our work in the country. Nearly 147,000 babies, children and young adults registered in our programs are affected.2018
Compassion celebrates 2,000,000 registered children
After 35 years of ministry service with Compassion Canada, Barry Slauenwhite announces his intention to retire in 2019. The board of directors names Allison Alley as Compassion Canada’s next President and CEO. Compassion International celebrates 2,000,000 children registered in child development centres around the world.2019
Allison Alley becomes Compassion Canada’s fourth President and CEO
After a year of co-leadership with Barry Slauenwhite, Allison Alley assumes the role of Compassion Canada’s fourth President and CEO in October 2019.2020
The COVID-19 pandemic changes Compassion’s operations worldwide
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Compassion centres are forced to suspend regular programming and focus their efforts on relief, food security and housing stability. In response to the unprecedented need caused by the COVID-19 crisis, Compassion’s Global Partner Alliance launches the global We Rise As One campaign. This is the first global campaign of its kind amongst Compassion partner countries. Compassion staff around the world transition to work from home.2023