Compassion Experience - Roanoke, VA
Friday, November 21, 2025 - Sunday, November 23, 2025
What is the Compassion Experience?
The Compassion Experience is a mobile, immersive journey through a child's story of overcoming poverty. It's a semi-truck that's been transformed to recreate the lives of Kiwi in the Philippines and Jonathan in the Dominican Republic.
Using a provided audio device, participants walk through the truck to hear each story and see scenes and details from the kids' lives.
Participants will learn what it's like for children facing poverty and how Jesus Christ brings hope in all circumstances.
The experience is free and family-friendly. Each story takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Why should I go?
The Compassion Experience is a great opportunity to introduce people - both adults and kids - to global missions. It's never too early to start learning about serving others, and this is the perfect kid-friendly conversation starter. It's also a great connection point for your church community - bring your Bible study group, your small group, or your teen's youth group. But most importantly, the Compassion Experience is a reminder of the faithful love of Jesus. Our day-to-day lives can be stressful, busy and tiresome. Come take a moment to hear these stories of transformation and remember that, in the midst of it all, Jesus brings hope.
Why should I go?
The Compassion Experience is a great opportunity to introduce people - both adults and kids - to global missions. It's never too early to start learning about serving others, and this is the perfect kid-friendly conversation starter. It's also a great connection point for your church community - brag your Bible study group, your small group, or your teen's youth group. But most importantly, the Compassion Experience is a reminder of the faithful love of Jesus. Our day-to-day lives can be stressful, busy and tiresome. Come take a moment to hear these stories of transformation and remember that, in the midst of it all, Jesus brings hope.
What can I expect?
The Compassion Experience is open Friday through Sunday. You'll register for a time slot and you're welcome to come any time within that slot. One story takes about 15 minutes to complete. Don't worry if your plans change - you can change your registration details at any time.
When you register, you can choose which story you'd like to experience: Jonathan's story or Kiwi's story. Read more about their stories below. Both stories show the realities of poverty and the true hope only found in Jesus Christ.
It you want to walk through the second story, you can! When you're done with the first, just check back in at the registration desk and choose the second option. The volunteers can give you an estimated time if there will be a short wait.
What will we learn about?
Jonathan's Story
Jonathan grew up with a single mother in the Dominican Republic. After being rejected by his father, Jonathan was filled with pain and struggled with anger and unforgiveness. His story shows us that true hope is found in Jesus — not just hope to overcome physical poverty but to leave behind the emotional and spiritual poverty that keep us from living in the fullness Jesus has for us.
Kiwi's Story
Before Kiwi was born, her parents suffered unimaginable loss. Crippled for years by their grief, they struggled to care for Kiwi and her sisters. It was hard to find jobs that provided enough for their most basic necessities. But her parents found radical hope and stability in Jesus. Kiwi’s story is one of God’s faithful provision — he never stopped providing for her family, from the biggest blessings to something as small as an apple.
While the experience is appropriate for the whole family, there are brief mentions of sensitive topics such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, gangs, infant loss and child trafficking. The Experience alludes to these topics, but it does not cover details on any sensitive subjects
While the experience is appropriate for the whole family, there are brief mentions of sensitive topics such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, gangs, infant loss and child trafficking. The Experience alludes to these topics, but it does not cover details on any sensitive subjects
Who is Compassion International?
Millions of children around the globe are living in poverty, but they can find hope through Jesus Christ. Through sponsorships and donations, Compassion International empowers local churches to love, care for and protect children in poverty so they're free to learn, grow, play and dream.
Poverty damages children's growth, learning and development, preventing them from reaching their God-given potential. But Jesus cares for the most vulnerable and calls us to do the same. At Compassion International, we're following in his footsteps.
We believe gospel hope changes the world because we see it change the lives of children every day. Learn more about our work today.
Compassion Experience - Roanoke, VA
Friday, November 21, 2025 - Sunday, November 23, 2025
Location:
Parkway Church on the Mountain
3645 Orange Ave NE #6469
Roanoke, VA 24012
