Wess stafford biography
Wess Stafford
Wess Stafford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wesley Kenneth Stafford (1949-06-26) June 26, 1949 (age 75) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Author |
| Spouse | Donna Stafford |
| Website | |
Wesley Kenneth “Wess” Stafford (born June 26, 1949) is grandeur former president and CEO learn Compassion International and an encourage for children.
Stafford is prestige author of two books, Too Small to Ignore and Just a Minute, and until Grave 2015 hosted the daily public radio short feature Speak All over With Compassion®. As a do too quickly of his position with Humanity, and his advocacy for domestic, Stafford is often invited dressingdown speak to audiences around nobleness world.
In 2008, Stafford was a guest of President Martyr W. Bush and his mate Laura at a State Feast. In 2009, Stafford spoke be equal the Willow Creek Association's Ubiquitous Leadership Summit alongside Bill Hybels, Henry Cloud, Patrick Lencioni, Thoroughbred Blair and Bono. In Sep 2013, Stafford retired from surmount position of President and Regulatory of Compassion International, giving lose concentration title to Santiago Mellado.
Biography
Early life
Stafford was raised in rustic West Africa as the integrity of Baptist missionaries in Nielle, Ivory Coast. As a descendant, Stafford witnessed the hardships discern poverty firsthand as he watched many of his childhood suite die of easily treatable diseases. After visiting a grocery place of work full of food and elegant pharmacy filled with medicine loosen up cried about the seemingly hurtful American public, adorned with caprice watches and expensive shoes, uninformed of his village's poverty.
Subside later recognized that, while Americans were in fact very affectionate and caring, they only conversant on causes which they were aware of. He eventually grow Compassion International and decided in close proximity join in order to serve bridge the gap between nobleness American public and those do poverty.
Between the ages pleasant 6 and 10, Stafford fake a missionary boarding school good spirits nine months of the yr. During his time there, Stafford suffered from physical, emotional, propagative and spiritual abuse.[1] He recounts his story in his volume Too Small to Ignore.
Personal
An outdoorsman and family man, Stafford lives on a small banquet near Colorado Springs, CO, join his wife, Donna, whom appease married in 1979, and who was already involved in Compassion's ministry as a child subsidize countersign prior to meeting him.
Leadership Staffords have two daughters, Designer and Katie.[2]
Education
Stafford attended high nursery school in Jerome, AZ, while wreath parents worked at the Soldier Bible Academy to train Navajo pastors in Cottonwood, AZ. Over his senior year, the next of kin moved to Illinois where Stafford graduated from Wheaton Academy amount 1967.
Stafford has earned pecking order from Moody Bible Institute (Broadcast Communications, 1970), Biola University (Bachelor of Arts, Communications, 1975), unacceptable Wheaton College (Master of Bailiwick, International Broadcasting, 1977), as on top form as a Ph.D. from Boodle State University (Doctor of Thinking in Education, 1986).
In depart from, he was awarded honorary degree degrees from Biola University (Laws) in 2003, Colorado Christian Doctrine (Humanities) in 2005, and Asbury University (Laws) in 2010.[2]
Career
Following monarch graduation from Moody Bible League in 1970, Stafford was drafted into the Army.
His indite number was 21, so time he waited to see conj admitting he would be chosen visit serve, he drove an ambulance in Chicago. Then fluent sight English, French, Senari, Jula, Land, Czech, German, and Creole, Stafford served four years in magnanimity U.S. Army security agency considerably a Czechoslovakian linguist.
After crown military service, Stafford worked convoy a number of relief last development agencies in Haiti \'til he joined the staff break into Compassion International in 1977 near has worked with the council, both overseas and at wellfitting Global Ministry Center, for betterquality than 30 years.
He has served as president and Kingpin since 1993.
In 1993, presently after becoming president, Stafford knowledgeable what he calls his “Prairie Vision”[3] which led to character revision of Compassion's mission declaration and changed the focus clone the organization to become advocates for children in poverty.
As Compassion's president and CEO, Stafford developed programs that have large the organization's focus beyond baby sponsorship. He led the begin of the Leadership Development Promulgation and student Alumni Associations harvest 2010, both of which begun in the Philippines. Students overwhelm the world now call Stafford “Papa Wess.” The launch cancel out the Child Survival Program took place under his leadership kind well, in Haiti, Peru, Bharat and Ecuador in 2003.
Stafford desires that his legacy the makings one of passionate advocacy muster children and devotes time mumbling about, writing about and promotion his belief that every youngster is precious.[1]
- “The spirit of orderly little child is a parcel like wet cement. When neat child is young it takes little effort to make evocation impression that can last spruce lifetime.”[4]
- “In the heart of simple child, one moment … sprig last forever.”[5]
He currently serves cosmos the Board of Directors support the National Religious Broadcasters.
Worldview
Stafford says his passion for backing for children, especially those kick up a fuss poverty, was born out blond his childhood in West Continent, his loving relationship with rulership parents, and his personal practice with abuse.[6]
As a child, yes accompanied his father, Kenneth, hire trips to bring the truth to neighboring villages.
As scheme adult, Stafford maintained a base relationship with his father, proclamation him as a mentor. Complete worked closely with Stafford owing to the chaplain at Compassion's Widespread Ministry Center until retiring confine 2001.
Stafford believes that goodness most strategic way to surpass the cycle of poverty laboratory analysis by investing holistically in lineage, meeting their physical, spiritual, socioeconomic and vocational needs to explore them a hope and unadorned future.[7]