By ANDREA LOPEZ
Features Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — We all see the commercials – impoverished children that need emotional, financial and physical assistance.

But how many people really know what life is like for those deprived families?

Beginning next weekend, Compassion International will present their program, “The Compassion Experience,” at First Baptist Church of Warrensburg to expose people to the daily challenges people face in imporvished countries.

After taking trips to Peru and Nicaragua with Compassion International, Brian Classen, senior pastor of FBC, said he invited the Christian-based organization from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Warrensburg. While this is the first time FBC has hosted “The Compassion Experience,” Classen said he’s looking forward to two major aspects.

“First, the impact we can have in the lives of children around the world who are in the greatest need,” Classen said. “Through child sponsorship, we provide food, clothing, education and most importantly, hope for these kids.

“Second, I am excited about the impact this event will have on our people. Anytime we can grow in our compassion and generosity, it’s a God-honoring thing.”

Two semi-trucks will be transformed into a 1,700-square-foot exhibit area that will allow participants to step inside homes and environments of poverty-stricken families living in developing countries, without ever traveling on a plane or even leaving Warrensburg.

With the use of iPods and headsets, the interactive tour will engage participants in learning what living on less than $1.25 per day is like, according to a news release. Visitors will have the opportunity to venture on a self-guided tour where they will be immersed in the stories and lives of two children living in Guatemala and Uganda.

Steve Spriggs, community marketing director for Compassion International, said each trip to a new community helps to spread the word about how to be compassionate toward others.

“It has been energizing to see the great numbers of people in every community step forward and show a personal desire to engage with global poverty,” Spriggs said. “Seeing individuals and families come out to deepen their understanding and response to those in need is very encouraging. Hope is rising in the developing world, and it seems that people in this country still have a native desire to make a difference.”

Open and free to the public, Classen encourages all to participate.

“This event is a chance to not just talk about making a difference, but to actually make a difference in this world,” Classen said. “We have been blessed to be a blessing.”

After completing the experience, Classen said the goal for participants is to look at the world differently.

“To be reminded that ‘my world’ is not ‘the world,’” he said. “To continue to gain a global perspective.”

For Spriggs, the motivation is no different.

“It’s our hope that every visitor would leave ‘The Compassion Experience’ with a deeper perspective on poverty and hope in the developing world,” Spriggs said. “We hope that perspective grows an understanding and a desire to make a critical difference in the life of a child in poverty.”

The experience is scheduled for Nov. 13-16 in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Warrensburg, located at 1302 S. Maguire St. Compassion International will present their ministry at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday, Nov. 15.

Compassion International is a Christian-based organization that focuses on child sponsorship. The nonprofit organization partners with more than 6,900 Christian churches, serving more than 1.7 million children in 26 impoverished countries, according to their website.