Compassion Symposium
Dates: September 19-20, 2019 Location: Evangel University
Registration: Free
(All other expenses, such as travel and meals, are at the discretion of the attendees.)
Check-In: Off-campus guests and speakers
(9 a.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. Friday – Spence Chapel Lobby)
To inspire all Christ-followers to engage with a theology of compassion and equip them with knowledge, values, and skills to live Christ’s mission as they navigate contemporary compassion-related issues such as poverty, relief and development, trauma, and justice.
Symposium Schedule
September 19-20, 2019
Thursday, September 19
10 a.m. – Hal Donaldson (Plenary)
Spence Chapel
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Hal Donaldson Book Signing
Spence Chapel Lobby
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Volunteer Fair
Crusader Hall Lobby
1 p.m. – Round Table Discussions
Side rooms of the Cafeteria 115A&B
1 p.m. – Compassion Through the Local Church, Dr. Steve Pulis
(Joust West)
6-6:30 p.m. – Cupcakes and Conversation Reception
Barnett Recital Hall Lobby
6:30-7 p.m. – Center for Compassion Information and Q&A
Barnett Recital Hall
7 p.m. – Courageous Conversation
Barnett Recital Hall
Friday, September 20
9 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
(see schedule below for more information)
10 a.m. – Dr. Brian Fikkert (Plenary)
Spence Chapel
11 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
Noon – Breakout Sessions
1 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
2 p.m. – Dr. Brian Fikkert (Plenary)
Spence Chapel
Speakers
Meet our Plenary Speakers

Hal Donaldson
President of Convoy of Hope
Hal Donaldson served as editor-in-chief of the Pentecostal Evangel magazine for 13 years. He is an award-winning journalist and speaker. He has authored more than 30 books, including his latest two: Disruptive Compassion: Becoming the Revolutionary You Were Born to Be and Your Next 24 Hours: One Day of Kindness Can Change Everything.
His awards include the National Distinguished Service Award in Social Welfare, Alumnus of the Year at Bethany University, and 2017 inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame.
Donaldson is an alumnus of Evangel University and has a bachelor’s in journalism from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s in biblical studies from Bethany University.
He and his wife, Doree, have four daughters: Lindsay, Erin-Rae, Lauren, and Haly.

Dr. Brian Fikkert
Author
Dr. Brian Fikkert is the founder and president of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College, where he also serves as a professor of economics and community development.
He is the coauthor of the best-selling book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself and has authored six other books.
Dr. Fikkert earned a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University, specializing in international economics and economic development. He is the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular journals. Prior to coming to Covenant College in 1997, he was a professor at the University of Maryland-College Park and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector.
He and his wife, Jill, have three adult children and live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Event Location
Evangel University