Many individuals think that Christian ministries are organizations that simply show concern for those in poverty. Other people believe that these ministries are groups of Christians devoted to demonstrating Christ's compassion to people everyday. However, many ministries do more than talk about compassion. They show it through acts of kindness in order to improve the lives of others.

In fact, a lot of English dictionaries define ministry as the act of serving. Through serving, Christian ministries demonstrate agape love which is the love for others that is similar to God's love for every human being on earth.

Everyday there is an opportunity for people to show compassion and charity. Individuals can give money to people of all ages that live in poverty, serve or cook food in soup kitchens, give warm clothing, write letters to children in hospitals or become mentors to children that only have one parent or are in trouble with school. By providing children that live in poverty with hot meals or sources of clean water are ways to bring encouragement and hope into their day-to-day struggles.

Some organizations focus on certain groups or countries while others attempt to reach out to many countries around the globe. For instance, well known international organizations often reach out to 20 or more countries.

Local and international organizations often work to bring children living in poverty and selfless individuals together. These caring individuals typically donate a small part of their income to make an impact on the daily lives of desperate children.

For example, a dollar a day donation can provide children the chance to learn how to write and read, receive health care and eat nutritional food. The children may also get the chance to learn basic life skills such as cooking and get access to safe recreational activities.

Preteen children and teenagers may learn how to use their writing and similar basic educational skills towards supporting themselves and building secure futures. It might be the first time that some teenagers get a chance to escape the lure of crime and drugs by learning about alternative ways to make money and live prosperous lives.

All sorts of groups and individuals such as single adults, teenage youth groups, whole families, big and little businesses and small churches continue to make small sacrifices of time or personal resources in order to make a positive change in the life of an individual. They minister by applying Christ's love through simple acts like teaching an individual how to write their name and reading a story out of the Bible.