A GivStory by Paige Armstrong                  

I was 11 years old when I found out that I had bone cancer. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced in my life, God has brought incredible blessings from that situation and has truly unleashed my purpose through that pain. One of those blessings, was an opportunity through an organization called Make-A-Wish Foundation, to come to Nashville and record a professional CD. After that, there seemed to be a domino effect of opportunities to sing and speak all over the country, eventually leading to moving to Nashville, signing a record deal and being asked to be the speaker for the iShineLIVE tour.

iShine LIVE is a high energy, Biblically based event for tweens. There are all kinds of artists performances and a powerful message on what it means to be  “V.I.P” in God’s eyes. iShine is all about helping kids understand their identity in Christ amidst a culture that teaches them otherwise.  I have had the privilege of being the speaker for iShine since it started, and am excited to be sharing the stage again with other artist such as The Rubyz, Mission Six, and more! Through my battle with cancer, I learned how precious life truly is and how much we can’t waste it. God has shown me that I wasn’t spared to just keep silent and sit on the sidelines of life. We all have a purpose. My mission now is doing whatever it takes to help people find that and live it out.

I had heard of World Vision through different advertisements online and through word of mouth, I wasn’t officially introduced to what they do until they became a partner with our iShine LIVE tour. When I was asked to be the one on tour to share about World Vision, I met with a man from their team who explained with tears in his eyes about what the organization does. He showed me videos of the work they are doing all over the world and the need that is crying out all in so many places. It was an emotional meeting, and I was instantly captivated by their work and wanted to be a part of it. I started sponsoring a 12 year old girl a year ago named, Majorie, who lives in Port-au-Prince Haiti. As you can imagine, it struck me incredibly hard when I heard about the earthquake that hit there. I decided to write a song for Haiti and record it with professionals who donated their time in order to be sold for the proceeds to go to World Vision Haiti relief team.  If you’re able, you can go pick up my song, “Not Forgotten”, on iTunes, and all of the funds will go straight to the missions work going on out there.

We all have something that we can do… There is no need to feel helpless. Whether it’s buying a song that is supporting the restoration of Haiti, going to a benefit or taking on an orphan as a sponsor child… there are so many things we are needed to do. I’m asking you to please consider getting involved with World Vision and sponsoring a child. You pay a small amount each month which covers your child’s food, health care, education, shelter and so much more!

Click below to listen to Paige’s GivStory Podcast on iTunes.

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 Craig Smith talks about what inspires him to give back to those in need and explains how he began The Ancient Path. Click on the player below to listen to the complete podcast, or click on the podcast icon above to subscribe through iTunes.

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 Nashville, TN (November 30, 2009)– In the spirit of giving, Country star Bryan White has shared his GivStory on GivMusic’s Podcast about his passion for the Christian child advocacy ministry known as Compassion International.  To further support Compassion, White, as well as many other country and pop artists, will perform on December 2 at Mercy Lounge, in Nashville, TN as part of Compassion’s Benefit for the Global Food Crisis.

“We have constant defining moments throughout our life where we can either walk away or  respond.  For me, one of the defining moments, as far as figuring out what I really wanted to do in life, was make an impact apart from the nation I lived in,” White explains. “I had always dreamed of looking beyond here as well and I was fortunate enough to go on a trip to Ecuador a couple of years ago with Spence, my friend, with Compassion.  That is really what changed my life and made me 100% get involved with Compassion.”

As White explains in his GivStory Podcast, a few years back he and his wife, Erika, sponsored a little girl from Ecuador in the city of Otavalo. On their trip with Compassion International they were able were able to get a first hand look into life of their sponsored little girl. White explains the experience as having a “profound impact” on his life. To hear more of White’s GivStory click HERE.

Compassion International’s ministry works to release children from economic, social, spiritual, and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible fulfilled adults. The benefit concert on December 2 at Mercy Lounge has a goal to raise funs and awareness for the Global Food Crisis Fund, an initiative of Compassion International. Artist’s scheduled to appear include Bryan White,  Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash, Carter’s Chord, Julie Roberts, Blaine Larsen, Rob Blackledge, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Canaan Smith, Charmaine, Natalie Hemby, Alathea and other special guests. Radio veterans Tony Randall and Kris Rochester from the new national syndicated morning show “Tony and Kris in the Morning” will host the event.

Tickets are available online and can be purchased HERE

To listen to White’s GivStory click HERE or to share your own story click HERE

 For more up-to-date information on Bryan White visit, www.bryanwhite.com

 For Bryan White Interview contact:

Karen Tallier, LOUDMOUTHpr, 615 244 9015