Campolo: 'Jesus is with the needy'

"When I stare into the eyes of the needy, I see Jesus staring back at me," said top US preacher and evangelist Tony Campolo on the opening night of Pentecost Festival on Friday.

Share Jesus International's first ever Pentecost Festival is two days of Christian debate, teaching, praise, theatre, dance, social action and more, pulling together some of the biggest Christian organisations and names, including Christian Aid, Bible Society, CARE, and Authentic Media.

Campolo was speaking at the packed City Temple church at an event to highlight the work of Christian child-sponsor charity Compassion and the responsibility that each Christian has to reach out to the world's weakest and most vulnerable people - children.

"While we're straightening out the world, there is that one kid that needs to be rescued," he told the audience.

Encouraging them to sponsor a child in poverty through Compassion, he continued, "My question to you tonight is will you reach out to one kid, for what you do unto the least of these you do unto me.

"When you look into the eyes of the people in need you see Jesus staring back at you," he added.

Campolo shared harrowing first-hand stories of child prostitution in Haiti and homeless children in Zimbabwe dying alone in the streets of Harare. He admitted the enormity of the challenge, but encouraged Christians with the answer of Mother Theresa when she was once asked how it was possible to rescue millions of starving children - "one at a time".

"That's what I am here to do. I am here to ask if you will pick up a needy child," he said.

Campolo challenged the audience to "do what Jesus would do".

"The church is the only club in the world that exists for the benefit of non-members," he said. "If your commitment to Christ cannot translate into 60p a day for a kid in a Third World country you need to start asking yourself some very serious questions about what your commitment is all about.

"Is it just believing in doctrinal truths or is it doing what Jesus would do if he was in your place? Is it just believing in doctrinal truths or are you ready to surrender to the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit invade you and create within you the sensitivity that will see Christ's suffering in those who are in need?"

Campolo was joined on stage by renowned worship leader and Compassion supporter Graham Kendrick.