2019 Ministry Theme - GOD First
As a Christ-centered mission, each year COMP ACT focuses a ministry theme to help guide our work and workers through the year. For the year 2019 the theme is GOD First.

This thematic principle is emphasized and repeated in the Bible in many places, contexts, and circumstances. We are to keep God at the forefront of who we are, what we do, why we do, when we do, where we do and how we do. 

In our commissioned work to a growing number of vulnerable children and families, COMP ACT is keenly aware that these precious ones need more than we alone can humanly provide. We ask, seek and knock for God’s help. They, as we, need God’s super abounding grace, favor and blessing (2 Corinthians 9:8). Scripture admonishes that keeping God first is key.

For example, when Jesus was questioned about what the greatest directive in life is, he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:38-39, ESV) When we love GOD First , we love children and others better.

Two particular Bible references are illuminating this year’s theme of
GOD First.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest…Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD…” (Psalm 127, ESV)
We can work hard and long, getting up early and staying up late, but God can bring completion and rest that we cannot. God can build and watch over children and families like none other because they’re from God. So, we seek God’s guidance. As a ministry team, we acknowledge that we can be educated, trained, skilled and caring, but there is something the LORD can do that we cannot.  Unless the LORD…

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
The whole chapter six of Matthew carries this principle. The idea is GOD First in giving to the needy, praying, fasting, saving, serving, and living.

We love the children and youth God brings to our care. We love those we minister to and minister with. As such, we want all to benefit the LORD’s super abounding grace, favor and blessing (2 Corinthians 9:8). So, we are humbly reminded that it is important to keep GOD First in 2019!
COMPACT Announces New Director of Development & Donor Relations
Assemblies of God COMP ACT ® Family Services is excited to announce the appointment of Rev. Rod Whitlock as its new Director of Development & Donor Relations to advance its redeeming compassionate action for vulnerable children and families.

Rod will base his ministry work from the agency’s Springfield, MO office. He will maintain a secondary office at COMPACT’s Hillcrest campus in Hot Springs, AR. Rod will oversee donor development and marketing for COMPACT ministries, including: Hillcrest Children’s Home, Highlands Maternity Home and Adoption services, Foster Care, CompaCare ® church empowerment, and FIND (Families Individuals Neighbors & Devotees) kinship navigating service. The Director of Development & Donor Relations serves on the ministry’s Executive Leadership Team, under the headship of Executive Director, Rev. Jay Mooney.

COMPACT’s recent years of growth to serve more of America’s most vulnerable children and families greatly calls for additional donors, better served donors and expanding church partnerships. Rod Whitlock’s appointment is key to advance the ministry’s development effort to match its growing mission and vision trajectory.

Currently, Rev. Whitlock serves as the Vice President of Cohort Development with SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary. He will complete his work there and begin with COMPACT in March 2019. We are grateful for the graciousness of SUM and Dr. George Neau for their cooperation in this transition. Chancellor Neau adds, “Rod is a gifted individual and we are grateful for his work. We send him with our blessing.”
2018 Annual Report Coming Soon!
Be on the lookout for a special 2018 Annual Report edition of the Newsletter. It will include redeeming stories and statistics of a successful ministry year.

Here is a teaser:

In 2018, COMP ACT ministries provided
411,240 hours of compassionate care!
Upcoming Birthdays
Birthdays are a big deal to our residents here at COMPACT. Sometimes we get to throw a child their first birthday party ever. Sometimes it is hard to spend a birthday apart from their biological family. Below is a list of upcoming birthdays on our campus. Please consider sending a card of encouragement to uplift and brighten a child's birthday.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS:
Rodgers* - 11 - Male
Lisa* - 16 - Female
Larry* - 16 - Male

FEBUARY BIRTHDAYS:
Lucy* - 11 - Female
Diana* - 12 - Female
Barbie* - 12 - Female
Nick* - 1 - Male

*In order to protect the identity of our residents, the names listed above are pen names. Pen names reflect actual children on our campus and have been chosen by each resident when they come to COMPACT.
Assemblies of God Family Services dba COMPACT®