For the past several years, we have elected to devote the entire month of January to issues connected to the sanctity of life.
Often, we relegate this topic to abortion/Republican tenet/pro-life mantra talking points rather than considering the issues connected to the biblical idea of the Imago Dei. This calls us to a womb-to-tomb outlook and asks us how the dignity of each person intersects with each stage or situation.
As such, tomorrow is a difficult topic, but one that needs to be discussed in churches across America: human trafficking.
Depending upon your age, the term either seems foreign entirely, invokes the movie scene with Liam Nesson telling an abductor that he is "...a man with a particular set of skills.", or seems overblown by paranoid parents.
Unfortunately, this topic is as relevant and crucial as ever...but that is nothing new in human history. Exploitation has been a part of our sinful history from the earliest accounts in the Bible and culture. God's Word has much to say on the topic of exploitation in the OT Law and the NT epistles; He enables and expects His people to stand righteously against it and act on behalf of those afflicted by it.
How are we equipping ourselves to understand this matter (at a level) and put our faith into action about it?
10AM- During this assembly time tomorrow, we will welcome Mandy from Dear Dinah in Dayton, ladies from Mercy & Truth ministry, and Detective Williams of the Dayton Police Department. We will hear about the issues facing our neighbors in our communities.
11:15AM- We will offer three unique tracks to participate in.
First, we encourage all our 3rd-6th grade young people (and their parents if they would like) to help assemble "give away bags" for Dear Dinah ministry. This will include sanitizing wipes, gloves, a pictured colored by one of our young people, etc. This will take place in the Steadfast classroom.
Second, Mandy will conduct a training about human trafficking training seminar. We encourage teenagers and their parents to consider this one specifically, but anyone is welcome. This will take place in the Victory classroom.
Third, we will watch the documentary entitled In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom. This video is age and content appropriate for teenagers and up. This video will be shown in the Sojourners classroom.
We will conclude our day by walking through 2 Samuel 13, where we see this topic take place in the Scripture. Though it is a difficult passage to encounter, it is particularly important for us to consider it as followers of God and considering the day's subject matter.
I want to encourage each follower of Christ to prepare their heart today and clear their schedule for tomorrow in order to receive the equipping that is being offered.
Serving together,
Pastor Paul