Richard Stearns, the president of the nonprofit organization World Vision, will speak on Sunday at the Sammamish Presbyterian Church (SPC). As the guest preacher at both the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services, Stearns will speak on his first book The Hole in Our Gospel.

As the head of the largest nonprofit in the U.S., Stearns’ book focuses on how people can have an impact on the world’s poverty. The book highlights Stearns journey from CEO in the business world to running a nonprofit agency looking to rid the world of poverty and injustice.

Stearns became the head of World Vision in 1998, leaving behind 25 years of corporate experience to take on nonprofit. He is a former president of Parker Brother Games and president and CEO of Lenox Inc. Using this corporate background Stearns capitalized on his experience bringing up donations, while lowering the costs of running the organization. One of Stearns first major projects with World Vision was to increase awareness and funding to the organizations AIDS programs.

The church invited Stearns to speak as part of a new partnership. Becki Barrett, an associate pastor at SPC, said the church is working with World Vision on an area development project, specifically for a community in Swaziland, a country in southern Africa. Through the program members of the church and people in the community will be able to sponsor a child, helping them gain an education and access to health care.

Barrett said 10 percent of the church’s budget goes toward missions, and every season they reevaluate to see what the church and members feel like they have been called to support. She said World Vision has come up repeatedly for being “a really solid organization”.

“People are passionate about it (World Vision) and Africa,” said Barrett. “We want to push ourselves to contribute globally and locally.”

Barrett said it’s fascinating to listen to Stearns speak and that he builds a solid bridge between the nonprofit and corporate worlds.

“He’s had a very interesting journey,” she said.

The services are open to everyone and Barrett recommends arriving early to ensure parking and a seat. Stearns will be available following his talks for book signings, and copies will be available at the location.

For more information on the event visit www.spconline.org or contact Sammamish Presbyterian Church at 425-868-5186.