Recently, I was chosen to read an early copy of a Kristen Welch’s new book Raising World Changers in a Changing World: How One Family Discovered the Beauty of Sacrifice and the Joy of Giving.
Once again, Kristen shares her family’s story of changing the world through the non-profit organization Mercy House Global, as well as in their day-to-day lives. This book encourages us all to make a difference in the world right where we are. “We are where we are for a reason.” Your reason for being in a certain job, school, church or neighborhood may be to influence lives and meet needs.
It is not a guilt-trip or a comparison game. Kristen makes it clear that we are all able to practice generosity, and we can teach our kids to see other people in our world. We don’t have to have it all together or even have a lot of money. Generosity includes giving resources, time, and abilities.
“The world is changing, but we can change the world by pointing our kids to a God who never changes.” – Kristen Welch
Many years ago, I went to college with Kristen and her husband Terrell, and our family has had the opportunity to get to know their family over the last few years. We’ve been encouraged by seeing them be the real deal – a real family, with real struggles, with a very real heart for changing the world. We went to Kenya with them in 2016 and were able to see first-hand the importance of Mercy House Global.
In her new book, Kristen continues telling her family’s story of making a difference in the world. She shares in such a way that readers are encouraged and challenged. Never once does she make anyone feel guilty for not doing enough. She encourages us all to start right where we are – our homes, our work, our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods. Raising World Changers is about being generous and teaching our families to be generous.
As I’ve read the book, I found myself setting it aside after a tough day with my own kids. Are we doing enough? Why are they so self-centered? Are we showing generosity? But, after a few days, when I picked it up again, I realized that God is working in me and making me more sensitive to the things Kristen wrote about. I desperately want our family to be world-changers by meeting the needs of others around us. I found myself realizing how my son is being generous by bringing home a friend every Wednesday after football practice so that he can take him to youth group. My daughter enjoys serving in the middle school ministry at church because she loves middle schoolers. (What? I know, right?) My youngest son befriends several kids who may not have many other friends. I’m encouraged because I know we have great kids, but I’m also challenged to do all that we can to teach and show them how we can show the love of God to others.
Generosity is really about teaching our kids to see people other than themselves. As parents it begins with us.
– Kristen Welch
If you’re a parent or grandparent who wants to see your children and grandchildren change the world with God’s love, or if you’re a person who would like to be challenged in your own life to be more generous with your time, money, and resources, this book is for you! I even have an extra copy that I’d love to share with someone. Just send me a note. Also, if you’d like to read Kristen’s other books, you can find out more here.
