Meet Callie …
High school senior Callie Klepper first discovered Show Hope’s Pause Campaign just a few years ago at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Though her family was well-acquainted with Show Hope, Callie was still unfamiliar with Pause.
“One night, my family went to see SCC in concert. We stopped by the Show Hope table there and chatted with volunteers. I began wondering if volunteering with Show Hope at concerts was something I could do,” Callie explained. “After asking the volunteers, they mentioned we could learn more on the [Show Hope] website. I arrived home after the concert and pulled out my computer to browse the website. This is when I first discovered Pause Campaign.
“At first, I was not interested in leading my own [Pause Campaign] as I was not sure I could do it,” Callie continued. “Nevertheless, I entered my information into the website to learn more.”
It was then that Callie connected with Bethany DaSilva, Show Hope’s Coordinator of Programs, who manages the day-to-day of Student Initiatives. After talking with Bethany, Callie agreed to join a virtual Pause Campaign, where she could learn more about it. As Callie described it, “I decided this would also be the perfect opportunity to see if I could pull off hosting a Pause Campaign in my community.”
For those unfamiliar, Pause Campaign is a seven-day break from social media where students dive into a devotional, designed to educate them on the needs of children who have been orphaned. More than that, though, Pause mobilizes students to act and make an impact—today—in the lives of waiting children.
The virtual Pause Campaign that Callie joined was small and led by the Show Hope team. This opportunity not only opened Callie’s eyes to the needs of vulnerable children, it also allowed her to connect one-on-one with Bethany, who provided encouragement and insight into what it means to lead Pause Campaign.
“Doing this campaign provided me with a much-needed break from social media as well as a deep dive into God’s view of children who have been orphaned,” Callie said. “One of my favorite parts was learning about God’s heart for these children and the proof of this from his word. Some new ideas I learned about during the campaign were the P.R.A.Y. acronym and people-first language. Participating in this virtual campaign also helped me create a vision of what leading my own campaign might look like.”
When Callie was 8 years old, her family began to pursue adoption. Her parents were first introduced to the work of Show Hope through an Empowered to Connect Conference (now Hope for the Journey). According to Callie, this experience “not only encouraged my parents to pursue this path [of adoption] but also gave them practical tools for what to expect post-placement.”
Callie’s family eventually adopted a little girl with the help of a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant. Yet Show Hope’s support of Callie’s family did not end there. “Through the years, my family has continued to receive support from Show Hope through Hope for the Journey,” Callie said. “A few years ago, I began attending the conferences with my mom. At that point, I thought I knew all about Show Hope, but I had never learned about Pause Campaign.”
Fast forward to this past spring, and Callie stepped out of her comfort zone to lead a Pause Campaign with some friends. Though she was admittedly nervous at first, Callie shared, “Show Hope equipped with great leader resources which helped tremendously. I had never done anything like this before, so I was very grateful for all the resources.”
Like the virtual Pause Campaign she joined, Callie led a smaller group too, though that fostered richer conversations among the participants. The group studied God’s Word together, made bracelets for scripture memorization, and discussed personal stories, including Callie’s family’s adoption journey. And they ended their Pause Campaign experience with a fundraiser for a local Isaiah 117 House, which provides physical and emotional support for children who are awaiting foster care placement.
“The most important lesson I learned through participating in and leading Pause Campaign was that I am impacting the world,” Callie shared. “Whether I realize it or not, others are watching me—what I say and do. I have influence, and I must choose how I use it. Will I choose to stay quiet or give a voice to the voiceless?
“It is important for students to learn about children who are vulnerable because God calls all of his people to care for them,” Callie continued. “Students are able to impact the world in profound ways when they choose to use their voice.”
This Christmas, we have strategically planned to raise $1,000,000 for the continuing impact of our work, yet we cannot reach that goal without you. Today, will you prayerfully consider a gift to our Gifts of Hope campaign? We need you.
