Hero or Bully? Compassion International CEO Tells How Adults Can Be Either in the Life of a Child

NEW BOOK: Telling Stories from Hitler to Colin Powell, Compassion International Pres. Unpacks the Power of Words in "Just A Minute"

CHICAGO, Jan. 3, 2012—Stupid. Beautiful. Well done. Words that roll off the tongue but may mark a child - for good or for ill - for his or her entire life. Research by the American Justice Department shows that one out of every four children will be bullied at sometime throughout their adolescence - some at school, some in cyberspace, and sadly, some at home.¹ Even more impressionable than adults, children journey through very sensitive stages of development where new experiences can make huge imprints in their minds.²

In his latest book, Just A Minute (Moody Publishers, Jan. 1, 2012), Wess Stafford, president and CEO of Compassion International, tells countless stories of doctors, soldiers, international leaders, sports heroes, politicians and many more whose lives were indelibly marked by words or actions that either built them up or tore them down. Through the stories of Colin Powell, Tony Dungy, Adolph Hitler and others, Stafford shows how an encouraging word, well-timed hug or hurtful comment can radically transform a childhood, or even the course of an entire life.

"When I speak to audiences about a child’s spirit being like wet cement or moist clay, when lasting impressions are made, listeners often have a flood of memories about their own childhood," said Stafford. "Most of us can easily recall who believed in us before we believed in ourselves or whose words pierced us like a sword."

Stafford uses the lives of well-recognized and unknown people alike to refute the old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me," especially for the young minds of children. He gives simple tips and examples of how anyone can positively impact a child in just a moment and how all of us are equipped to do it. 

"No one can say, 'children are not my thing,' " said Stafford. "Each adult deserves an honorary doctorate in 'childhood.' You have done a minimum of eighteen years of 'field research' in this complex subject." (Just A Minute, p. 14)

As a reminder of the approximately 37 million minutes given to each person in his or her lifetime, Stafford wears a Mickey Mouse watch - and suggests readers do the same - as a constant reminder to look for moments to positively impact a child's life through just a smile, wave, word of encouragement or prayer. 

• Now available for interviews:

• Wess Stafford, president and CEO, Compassion International and author of Just A Minute, Moody Publishers, Jan. 1, 2012

• Video and audio available for media at DeMossNews.com

ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:


Compassion International is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than one million children in 26 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children - enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Compassion has been awarded ten consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator. The highest rating for a charity, this places Compassion in the top one percent of all nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit DeMossNews.com/Compassion.

ABOUT MOODY PUBLISHERS: 


D.L. Moody founded Moody Publishers in 1941 after learning no one was publishing and distributing Christian books. Fueled by his desire to spread the gospel through Christian books, Moody Publishers' mission continues to educate and enlighten Christians and to evangelize others by publishing conservative, evangelical Christian literature and other media for all ages around the world, and to help provide resources for Moody Bible Institute in its training of future Christian leaders. For the latest books and resources visit MoodyPublishers.com.

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¹American Justice Department, http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/e12011405.pdf
²Dr. A.S. Galinsky http://www.netnanny.com/learn_center/article/144