Tag Archives: World Vision ACT:S

Giving up more than chocolate for Lent

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Katie Swift in Christian Witness

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, when Christians focus on Jesus’ sacrifice through prayer, fasting, and giving. World Vision’s Katie Swift reflects on taking a “Life Audit” — part of our Live Life campaign for youth and college students around the world....

What makes a full life?

Posted on February 1, 2013 by James Pedrick, World Vision ACT:S in Christian Witness

James Pedrick, global youth engagement manager for World Vision, discusses Live Life — a six-week campaign for youth and university/college students around the world to experience Easter and Lent in a new way....

Why my Grandma may be wrong: Living a life of sacrifice

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Samantha Bender in Christian Witness

Living a life of sacrifice | World Vision Blog

“Sacrifice” is a funny little word. It conjures up images of pain, hurt, and unfinished to-do lists. This word especially takes on a warped meaning when combined with the word “Lent.” Growing up, Lent was always a little bit of a joke. We teased each other for the excuses we all made for giving into the things we had given up. My Grandma always had the best excuse. She said that Lent is technically only 40 days if you exclude Sundays, and that on Sunday, she could “break the rules.” I’m almost positive she somehow found biblical support for this, and I wasn’t going to argue if it meant my Sabbath was filled with Thin Mints. That’s how sacrifice is...

12 challenges for your summer bucket list

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Kurt Rahn, World Vision ACT:S in Conversations

Children in Laos. ©2010 Nila Douanesouvanh/World Vision

When I was in college, I spent my summers visiting family and friends, journeying on cross-country road trips, catching up on extracurricular reading, or traveling internationally (if I could afford it). I always started off my summer vacation with a desire to make my summer really count — to do something purposeful and intentional to help other people. But after a few weeks in the sun, I often resorted to all my summer norms. College students aren’t getting away with that mentality so easily anymore — not with resources like our World Vision ACT:S Summer Adventure Bucket List. It’s 12 challenges meant to get you out of the house and experience the world around you....

But I do not despair

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Adam Jeske, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Christian Witness, Partnerships

Poverty and disease leave children vulnerable in Kenya. ©2010 Lucy Murunga/World Vision

Close your eyes and imagine this… Imagine if our culture was taken to the -nth degree, to its logical end. Maybe Lady Gaga is president. Maybe digital devices hang in front of our faces, precluding any unmediated communication. Maybe our nations war over water. Maybe norms about intimacy and privacy have melted. And maybe our speech has deteriorated into grunts, slang, and chuckles. If North American culture keeps it up, we could be in big trouble. Our culture is infatuated with stars like Justin Bieber, and our top TV show is even called “American Idol.” We revel in Charlie Sheen “winning.” Our king is LeBron. Chatroulette and PostSecret spotlight our basest tendencies and hidden shames. College grades are inflated. Polar...