Clothe Yourselves with Compassion

As we have been exploring over the last few weeks, the main theme for Christians Against Poverty in 2026 is that we are stronger together. Over the 30 years since CAP was founded by John Kirkby, one of the key values of CAP is partnering with local churches to provide debt support directly to local communities, as well as wider care beyond practical help. Now 967 churches partner with CAP, with over 20,000 people supported by these churches to deliver CAP debt services.

Colossians 3: 12 - 17 (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

It is easy to give general examples of these values, many of which are shown by our Ely and District CAP team as they bring their knowledge and love into the homes of our clients. But there is no better way than to hear how such holistic, compassionate care grounded in faith can change lives than through the words of just one individual who has known this impact in their lives. This is Sharon's story from the 2026 CAP Client Report: Stronger Together.

" Sharon’s eyes fill with tears as she remembers her lowest, most frightening moment… ‘I was hiding in the bedroom, curled up in a corner on the floor. Debt had caught up with me and my kids were saying, “Mummy, help.” I felt there was no hope. I didn’t want to live any more. I thought, how am I going to get out of this situation?’ ‘I didn’t eat, I didn’t open the curtains, I lived in the dark.’

For Sharon, that terrible day had been a long time coming. She’d left her controlling, violent partner and was alone caring for her seven children. She couldn’t work because there was no one else to look after the kids. Debt was mounting up, and Sharon couldn’t see a way out.

‘I wasn’t eating, I wouldn’t open the curtains, I just lived in the dark,’ says Sharon. ‘My kids never went without, but I did. I felt like I was in a nightmare.’ Then one day, after a visit from enforcement agents, Sharon’s counsellor suggested CAP – and everything changed.

Two women from the local church, Katherine and Carole, came to visit. They reassured Sharon and scooped up three shopping bags full of unopened bills to take away and sort through. That visit was the start of an incredible journey. Carole took Sharon shopping and filled the cupboards with food. Sharon learned how to budget and shop cheaply, while CAP’s expert debt advisers got to work on preparing advice for her financial situation.

Knowing Katherine and Carole had come from the church, Sharon decided to join them one Sunday. She immediately felt she belonged. ‘I’ve not missed a week at church since,’ says Sharon. ‘I feel so happy and alive. I’ve said sorry to people I had upset. My life has been changed!’ ‘CAP has turned my life around.’

Sharon’s experience shows the powerful impact of a holistic, specialist service delivered face-to-face by a compassionate local church. ‘The difference between CAP and other organisations is that they actually come along with you,’ says Sharon. ‘They’re in your home, talking to you, giving you comfort when you feel like you’ve destroyed your own life. It’s the power of a real person, with you, feeling your hurt.’

Sharon has been debt free for more than ten years, after going through bankruptcy proceedings. The frightened person hiding in the dark is a distant memory – and this bright, confident woman says she has a new life now. ‘I’ve got a new family in my church; friends who really care,’ says Sharon with a smile. ‘I’m still working through some stuff, but I know I have my CAP and church team behind me, guiding me, telling me I can do it. They are always there for me.’

Today, Sharon volunteers with CAP, supporting other people as they go debt free. Every Tuesday she runs a group for local people in need, including CAP clients, who come together for a meal and friendship. She cooks the food and coordinates social action work to pass on clothes to those who need them. The impact of Sharon’s transformation is filtering through her family too. Her son has become debt free with CAP, and her daughter has found comfort in the Christian faith. ‘CAP doesn’t just change your debts, it changes you as a person,’ says Sharon. ‘In the past, when I was all on my own, I thought there was never any hope. Now I’m living a brighter, bigger, more colourful life.’ "

Sharon is just one of the 80,000 people who have benefited from CAP debt advice over the last 30 years, and there are also the 100,000+ who have attended Money Coaching and more. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience can mean as much as practical support - knowing that there is someone there who cares and supports you to be able to overcome debt and also to be able to forgive yourself and move forwards.

We are stronger together, supported in love.

Prayer

Please pray for all our CAP clients and especially for those waiting for their first appointments, now booking into August. It can be a dark time, struggling with debt and associated problems but give thanks that they have reached out to CAP and that help is on the way.

Pray for our debt coaches and visit team, for the practical debt help that they bring into the homes of our clients, but also for their compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and for the connections that they bring, inviting those who feel that they are alone back into community.

Please pray for continuing opportunities for outreach work and the strengthening of links with other services, such as social prescribers and the Job Centre, that by working together with others serving our community we can be part of a bigger picture of care and service and that this will help bring the message of the help and hope that CAP can bring into the lives of those struggling with poverty and debt in our community. Pray that they would know that they are not alone and that there is help and hope.