Berkeley, CA –Compassion International hosted a concert where major Christian artists performed, drawing an audience that filled and crowded the entire chapel of First Presbyterian Church. That evening, Sara Kelly, Shawn McDonald, and Bebo Norman brought a satisfying performance and spiritual revival to the entire congregation as well as providing the audience the knowledge of the need for Compassion International.

Half way through the concert, Gabe, who has been working with Compassion for the past seven years and serves as Bebo Norman’s road representative commented after the concert, “We live in a world where it is hard to pick something worthwhile, but Compassion is something worthwhile.

After the concert ended, Bebo Norman said to Gospel Post, “I am thankful to have a chance to work with compassion. I’ve never been so honored, compassion do what they say.”

Bebo shared his experience in Nairobi, Kenya by explaining his interaction with the kids there and the problems that are prevalent in that region of the world. He spoke of the time that he played soccer with over 200 kids, and he described it as, “200 kids chasing one white boy.” The crowds laughed as he described joyfully about his experience. However, he explained that over half of these kids will not make it pass their adolescent age because of AIDS.” The crowds grew silent.

Then with sincere testimony about the adopt-a-child program that Compassion offers and reference to Luke 9:48,

“The he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest’.”

Bebo effectively encouraged the congregation to each sponsor a child through Compassion. The response was dynamically successful.

Bebo Norman has been engaged with Compassion since his friends from Caedmon's Call introduced him to the ministry. In the fall of 1999, Bebo began encouraging his concert goers to become Compassion sponsors. The following summer, Bebo took a trip to Brazil to meet his own sponsored child.

August 2001, Bebo Norman visited Kenya, Nairobi, where he performed a concert for over 2,000 people. As a result of Bebo's concerts, almost 1,000 children have been paired with Compassion sponsors over the past few years. The number continues to grow as he shares the testimonies of his life-changing experience with sponsorship through Compassion. Other artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Rebecca St. James, are also involved with Compassion, each having sponsored their own child.

With the hope to spread the gospel of Christ to the children in Third World countries, the Compassion movement continues.