Saturday, February 17, 2007

Slavery in the 21st Century


The U.S. State Department estimates that currently there as many as 27 Million people in slavery in the world, more than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Approximately 2 Million children are enslaved in the global sex industry. Nearly 300,000 children are seized & forced to be soldiers, sometimes to kill their own relatives and neighbors.

We are called, as God’s missional community, to participate in His desire to, “… to proclaim freedom for the captives …to comfort all who mourn” (Is 61:1-3) and also to, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. …defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9)

What can our community do?

From Imago Dei, Steve & the scout team will be leaving on the mission trip to Thailand in a week or so. Among the places they will visit will be the work of Mark Crawford & the International Justice Mission, who help girls sold into sexual slavery. (Click here for website or here for article from Christianity Today)

So what are some ways we can help?

1. Pray
*Ask God to inspire and equip local government authorities to combat slavery.
*Pray for the Christian community in the areas of the world where slavery is rampant. Ask God to bless the local Body of Christ with conviction, wisdom and courage so that they might intervene to stop this violence.
*Ask God to comfort all who are held in slavery and awaiting rescue. Please also pray for the full restoration of those who have been rescued.
*Ask God to raise up qualified Christian professionals to join organizations such as the International Justice Mission in the ongoing effort to rescue people from slavery.
*Pray that God will bring awareness to the Body of Christ around the world concerning modern-day slavery, the biblical mandate for Christians to seek justice and the need for financial resources to pay for the rescue the poor can not afford.
2. Give. Raise funds to free slaves, or just give to organizations that look to alleviate poverty in these third world countries. Click on the links below for websites of organizations:
3. Sign a petition. You can find one at theamazingchange.com or stopthetraffik.org
4. Learn more about human trafficking/slavery. Check the websites below. Read. (See the movie “Amazing Grace”, about the life of the life of William Wilberforce, a parliamentarian, christian & antislavery pioneer who was highly influenced by John Newton the former slavetrader who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace".) Newsweek review of movie HERE
5. Talk to others about slavery.
6. Pray about maybe being a part of the next missions trip that the community sends to Thailand.

Click on Links:
International Justice Mission
Compassion International
World Vision International
http://theamazingchange.com/
http://www.freetheslaves.net/
http://www.childvoiceintl.org/
http://www.polarisproject.org/
Justice for Children

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Amazing Grace