Concordia & Compassion: Connecting Through Letters

A Small Letter. A World of Hope.

Did you know that Concordia sponsors over 1,400 children in Kenya and Ethiopia in partnership with Compassion International? Through sponsorship and thoughtful letters, we share hope and support that goes beyond words – helping children feel known, valued and empowered through the love of Christ. We are in need of volunteer letter-writers to join others in encouraging our children that rely on Concordia’s annual sponsorship.

Concordia is now embarking on a 6-week letter-writing mission to engage our employees and residents in this special act of writing to a child. Getting started is simple. Begin by visiting Meet the Children Concordia Sponsors, a page hosted by Compassion International that will open in a new window. There, you can browse photos and short bios of the children Concordia sponsors and identify a child you feel called to connect with through letters.

After reviewing the child profiles, return to this page and complete the form below. A member of the Concordia Missions team will follow up with next steps and letter-writing guidance to help you begin your journey.

Request to Write to a Child

Your first step toward a meaningful connection. Use the form below to request a child and begin building a relationship rooted in encouragement and care.

Name

First Last

Phone

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

I am participating as a:

Concordia Employee

Concordia Resident

What Concordia location do you work/live at?

Child's name you'd like to connect with (profiles linked below):

No specific preference – I am open to being matched with a child.

Please click here to view a list of children that Concordia sponsors.

If your first choice is unavailable, may we contact you about another child?

Yes

How do you plan to participate?

I will write letters independently

I plan to write letters with a group

I’m still deciding

Have you written to a sponsored child through Concordia or Compassion International before?

Why Letter Writing Matters

A letter may seem simple, but for a child, it can mean everything. Thoughtful words of encouragement remind children they are seen, valued and deeply cared for – and often in ways that stay with them long after the letter is read. Through Compassion International’s program, letters become a tangible expression of hope, faith and connection.

For many children, letters are treasured keepsakes. They are read again and again, especially during challenging moments, offering reassurance and motivation. Consistent encouragement can help build confidence, inspire children to engage more fully in school and church and remind them that someone believes in their future.

Whether you share a prayer, a kind word, a story from your day or a simple note of encouragement, your letters help nurture a meaningful relationship rooted in compassion. In writing, you offer more than words – you help a child feel less alone, more hopeful and deeply connected through care that reflects God’s love in action.

Get Inspired

These short videos from Compassion International share why letter writing matters, how to get started and the journey a single letter takes to reach a child.

Thank You for Your Interest

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Concordia & Compassion International: Connecting Through Letters. Whether you feel called to participate now or are simply exploring, we’re grateful for your interest and for the many ways our Concordia community lives out compassion each day.

If you’d like to learn more about this mission or explore other Concordia Missions opportunities, please feel free to reach out to SaraBeth Swain, Concordia Missions Chairwoman, at sswain@concordiavn.org.