Archive for November, 2008

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”
- Isaiah 58:6

Two months ago, I had the privilege of participating in the PureLife Conference organized by Ron and Lynette Lewis. After I told the story of Rosa, a 13 year old who had been trafficked to the United States from Mexico, Ron asked people who wanted to help bring freedom and a new life to those trapped in sex slavery to raise their hands: over 600 did. For me, this was a blessing because no one individual can stop human trafficking, but all of us together can do it. Just as two hundred years ago, churches and faith-based groups were leaders in the fight against African chattel slavery, today a new Christian anti-slavery movement is forming. God is working with us and through us to make our world His – to see His will be done on earth.

Eight years ago, after several terrible child sex trafficking cases were uncovered in the United States, a coalition of faith-based groups, women’s organizations, and others helped to draft and pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a law designed to address contemporary forms of slavery such as sex trafficking. After the law passed, many groups, such as The Salvation Army, Concerned Women for America, Project Rescue, Shared Hope, International Justice Mission, and other Christian groups, continued to work on all aspects of the issue. In fact, Christian groups have been in the forefront of every aspect of the three Ps – prevention (of trafficking), prosecution (of traffickers), and protection (of victims of trafficking).

This year, in October, The White House Office for Faith Based and Community Initiatives hosted an event, “Success Against Slavery: Strategies for the Future,” to showcase some of the most successful faith-based assistance programs for trafficking victims. We invited about two hundred individuals representing fifty organizations to share information and resources, to celebrate the work completed, and to plan and strategize for the future. So much has been accomplished: a comprehensive law drafted and passed; education, awareness-raising and advocacy efforts; rescue missions around the globe; shelters and services springing up, a new faith-based curriculum (Hands that Heal)… And yet… reports show that millions of women and children are still in bondage around the world and here in our own country. We have come so far, but we have so much farther to go. I hope that as we move into 2009, we can continue to work together to bring stop these new forms of slavery.

Laura Lederer
Senior Director for Global Projects on Trafficking in Persons
US Department of State

Scripture is so clear on what God requires: “to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).

For most of my 25 years of ministry I have focused primarily on justification — that is, helping others get right with God through knowing His provision of Jesus’ work on the cross. God also tells us to “do justice” (Micah 6:8, NASB). True justice in action should actually point people to the God of Justification, that He is merciful and we can walk humbly with him. I find no conflict between justification and justice, but actually the two are like twin children of the purposes of God. As I serve the God of Justification, I am eventually led to His justice. Likewise, when I serve the God of Justice, I realize that without justification, I will fall short of His twin purpose. This past month my focus on justice has been taken to a new level as I have made some profound discoveries.

A three-year-old sold into a brothel by her cousin, a teenager stripped of her dignity and forced to have sex with a dozen men each day, an ABC journalist who discovered he could buy a child in less than 10 hours…

Most people are shocked that at this very moment in America and abroad well over one million defenseless children are modern-day slaves in the sex trade. When adding in all of the teens, adults and those in different varieties of slave labor, it is well known that this horrendous evil is far more numerous than 400 years of the North Atlantic Slave Trade. This is an unspeakable atrocity and something must be done to help those who cannot help themselves. As a result of hearing the cries of these children and embracing the justice side of Scripture, my wife Lynette and I have launched a nation-wide campaign, Stop Child Trafficking Now, to help put an end to child sex slavery. This grassroots organization will focus on the demand side of child trafficking by stopping the problem at the source: going after the sexual predators who abuse, buy and sell children.

Stop Child Trafficking Now’s goal is a one year campaign to bring public awareness and to raise finances for this cause. This campaign will culminate on September 27, 2009 in New York City with a “Walk to Stop Child Trafficking.” In addition there will be a 50-city campaign and the involvement of 300 campuses across America. For more information about how you or your organization can make a difference please visit the Stop Child Trafficking Now website at www.SCTNow.org or contact sundygoodnight@SCTNow.org.

Justice and pulling down evil systems is not beyond our reach. With God working for us and the authority of the church behind us, miracles will happen, lives will be rescued and Jesus’ mission of setting the captives free will be fulfilled. Thank you for any assistance you can invest to work with us, walk with us, or pray with us. There is no greater joy than to work and walk beside our friends and those of a likeminded faith. Thanks, saints!

ABC News Reference: How to Buy a Child in 10 Hours

Sermon Question: “Why did this message seem so politically geared? I talked with several others and they felt the same way. Should politics be off limits from the church pulpit?”

Response from Pastor Jim Laffoon: The question of the church’s relationship to politics has long been controversial in history. At one point in early Church history, the leaders of that day felt no Christian should ever be involved in the politcal process because of its corrupt influences. When it comes to American history, however, the pulpit long has been a place for the free expression of political views.  Although this is more obvious in the African American community, there is also clear historical precedent for it within other segments in the American Church. Personally, I see no place for political partisanship of any kind in
the pulpit. However, as a pastor I have a clear Biblical mandate to bring the full weight of Scripture to bear on the ethical issues of our day (Ezekiel 33:1-6).  Whether it is ecological, social, or moral, the Bible stands as the authority on these issues.  Although issues like abortion may be controversial, the Bible does not allow us to remain silent.  As much as I would never tell someone who to vote for, or even recommend a political party, the Bible must be brought to bear on the political process.

Let me close my thoughts with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., in which he captures the essence of the issues we are discussing.  He eloquently stated, “The church must be reminded that it is not the
master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”  May the Church take its rightful place as an important part of all facets of American society.  God Bless.