We all say that we care about children. We all know that millions of children around the world, including in the United States, are suffering physically, materially, and emotionally and are unable to reach their full potential. Moreover, their material deprivation and physical ills often prevent them from responding to the gospel. Most of us conclude that we cannot do anything significant to help the impoverished children living in our own backyards let alone those living in the slums of Nairobi or the hinterlands of Haiti. We can, however, do much to improve their lives materially and spiritually. Through praying, giving generously, sponsoring children, volunteering with aid organizations, living more simply, investing and shopping more prudently, and advocating more zealously in the political arena, we can make a difference. We can prod politicians, business executives, and church leaders to prioritize aiding destitute children. We can support one of the hundreds of organizations that are working effectively to help indigent children have better lives. Suffer the Children describes the plight of poor children and provides many practical ways we can participate in one of the most important crusades to improve our world.

Gary Scott Smith chairs the History Department at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. He is the author or editor of eleven books, includingReligion in the Oval Office (2015) andHeaven in the American Imagination (2011).

Jane Marie Smith served for fifteen years as the Coordinator of Instruction/Government Documents Librarian at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She has worked to end human trafficking as a researcher and as an activist.