In partnership with CompassionLink and Convoy of Hope.
Springfield, Mo. —Evangel University will present a free Compassion Symposium on Thursday and Friday, September 19 and 20, 2019.
The event will feature a volunteer fair, along with insightful and distinguished speakers who have made compassionate service their mission and vocation.
Admission is free, however, advance registration is requested.
The Compassion Symposium is sponsored by Evangel’s Center for Compassion, in partnership with CompassionLink and Convoy of Hope.
The event opens on Thursday, September 19, at 10 a.m., in the Robert H. Spence Chapel, on the front of the Evangel University campus, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield, Missouri.
• The opening speaker will be Hal Donaldson, co-founder and president of the international relief organization, Convoy of Hope. A book signing will follow his presentation.
Donaldson has authored more than 30 books, including his latest two: Disruptive Compassion: Becoming the Revolutionary You Were Born to Be and Your Next 24 Hours: One Day of Kindness Can Change Everything.
Other activities on Thursday will flow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an afternoon break, and then 7 to 9 p.m. that evening.
• The main speaker on Friday, September 20, will be Dr. Brian Fikkert, founder and president of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. He is sponsored by CompassionLink and will present at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Fikkert holds a Ph.D. from Yale in economics and is coauthor of the best-selling book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself.
Additional break-out sessions on Friday will flow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants may choose one or both days to attend.
Open invitation
The Compassion Symposium is designed for professional and volunteer helpers, relief workers, educators, students, chaplains, vocational ministers, missionaries, and anyone else interested in a career or volunteer service in compassionate action.
“Come listen, learn, interact and leave with actionable ideas about compassion,” said Dr. Donna Washburn, director of the Center for Compassion at Evangel.
“Our speakers will share insights into the revolutionary practice of seeing people through God’s compassionate lens, and give tangible tools to make a difference in the world around you.”
Visit the Compassion Symposium web page for additional details and to register.
Plenary Speakers
• Hal Donaldson, author and co-founder/president of Convoy of Hope
• Dr. Brian Fikkert, author and founder of Chaimers Center for Economic Development, Covenant College
Breakout Session Speakers
There are 20 break-out session speakers scheduled to speak during the two-day Compassion Symposium at Evangel University, including:
• Dr. Heath Adamson, chief of staff for Convoy of Hope — “Slowing Down Long Enough to Notice”
• Rev. John Alarid, lead pastor of Freedom City Church — “Welcome Junkies, Felons, and Saints”
• Dr. JoAnn Butrin, director of International Ministries, Assemblies of God World Missions — “Preserving the Dignity of Those We Serve”
• Dr. Wave Nunnally, professor of early Judaism and Christian origins — “Compassion From the Very Beginning: The Nature of God” and “Who is Your Neighbor?”
• Dr. Shannon Polk, consultant, attorney and assistant pastor — “Ministering to Mirror Images”
About Evangel
Evangel University, which includes the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the church and society globally. Evangel serves more than 2,100 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master’s and doctoral degrees.
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