Ken Smitherman, President Association of Christian Schools International (retired 2009)
Throughout the world there exist bright spots of hope—places where, in spite of discouragement, difficulty, poverty, bondage, and other harsh conditions, the love of Christ shines through. These places of hope exist because individuals have responded to God’s call on their lives to go where He sends them and to give selflessly of themselves to bring hope.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40, NIV
Hope is the spark of expectation that puts a sense of brightness where darkness prevails. Hope anticipates that things might be better tomorrow than they are today. In many parts of the world, that hope is coming to children living in deepest poverty who are receiving a Christian school experience that focuses on providing intellectual development together with spiritual formation. I had the opportunity to visit one of these bright spots of hope in a city of millions where seemingly countless children are victims of poverty, hunger, abuse, spiritual deprivation, and an almost endless list of factors of destruction. This bright spot was a Christian school tucked into a hillside teeming with thousands of shanties that the students call home. The principal compared these students to ostrich eggs that are laid, then deserted; similarly these children have been deserted by their parents who do not provide the things we would normally consider parents’ responsibility to their offspring.
These children represent the poorest of the poor, yet they are afforded a hope through Christian schooling. They are offered not only an eternal hope in Jesus Christ but also an academic education focused on the basic skills that will help them to earn a living, provide for themselves and their families, understand the rudimentary health and sanitation concepts, and contribute positively to their communities.
This school exists and survives because of a committed Christian woman who has obeyed God’s call to Christian schooling. She serves at no salary and struggles daily to secure funds to pay a meager salary to other men and women who give sacrificially to teach at the school. They use facilities made available to them by another Christian school that serves families who are able to pay tuition.
The school’s teaching materials are scant, but spirits run high because the men and women who serve here know that God has called them to make a difference. This story is repeated in similar situations throughout the world.
ACSI has a program that provides Christian school sponsorship to the most disadvantaged children today in eighteen countries around the world—from India to the West Bank, from Nigeria to Ecuador. Six hundred children in 48 different schools are currently being sponsored by families like yours—families who desire that others experience the same hope their own children have.
Currently, about 400 additional children are in need of sponsorship. You and your family can sponsor a needy child through this program. You will receive a packet of information about a student who can receive a Christian school education through your sponsorship. The packet includes a picture of the student and information about the school and the student’s family. Sponsorship will pay for tuition, books and other school supplies, medical attention as needed, and in some cases a hot lunch. You will receive regular correspondence from your sponsored student.
You can make a crucial difference to a needy child. I encourage you to write, call, or go online for a brochure today:
ACSI Student Sponsorship Program
PO Box 35097
Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3509
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) serves these schools as well as the school where your family is involved. We are convinced that Christian schooling is one of the most crucial bright spots of hope impacting children in even the most difficult circumstances. It is lifting the veil of ignorance and bringing light through basic literacy, math skills, and health education coupled with the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Bright Spots of Hope 34.8