There are many ways in which the church can reach out in mission, but where do we start? As the prayer of the Breton fisherman goes "O God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small." The optimist in me responds by saying "But we do have a boat!" It may be a two-person canoe in the Atlantic, but we've got a boat. Let's see where we can go and what we can do.
One way I hope the Scottsville Baptist boat floats is by participating in missions both seen and unseen. 'Seen' missions are often tangible. We often see instant results: hungry bellies filled, utility bills paid, or children gathered to learn Bible stories. 'Seen' missions is giving bread, doing home repair, and leading a neighborhood VBS. 'Seen' missions is important work.
'Unseen' missions is important work too; however 'unseen' missions are rarely tangible. 'Unseen' missions are writing grants, supporting an underground church, or searching for trouble we cannot see. 'Unseen' missions is rescuing the hidden. 'Unseen' missions is actively looking for the oppressed.
Both 'seen' and 'unseen' missions are imperative. It's not an issue of either/or. It's both/and.
Tonight Scottsville Baptist hosted faith-based ministry The Arbor. The Arbor "endeavor(s) to create a welcoming home, a community of healing, and a peaceful refuge for foreign-born trafficking survivors in Virginia in order to reclaim wholeness, freedom, and life in early 2015." Currently there is no such home in Virginia that ministers to the particular needs of trafficked persons. Virginia churches, I hope you will consider inviting The Arbor to talk with your congregation. Please comment, call, or email if you have questions. I am eager to connect you.
While the complexities of modern-day slavery are difficult to grasp, it is imperative faith communities step up and help restore trafficked persons in the name of Christ. The Arbor is 'unseen' missions. Victims of human-trafficking are all around us, yet remain hidden. This 'unseen' tragedy survives on its ability to be underground. Awareness and action are key. We've all got to play a part in restoration. Scottsville Baptist boat, let's pray about 'unseen' missions and how we might be part.
Showing posts with label human trafficking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human trafficking. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
When the Saints
Several folks are absent from social media today to call attention to 27 million women, men and children caught in modern day slavery. The End it Movement helps us understand the where of slavery: "In brothels. In factories. In quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries. Including our own." Because modern day slavery feels far away the weight of it can be difficult to grasp. It is not actually so far away though. It is here. It is there. It's everywhere.
One of my favorite Christian recording artists is Sara Groves. Her lyrics express great hope in Christ while also shining a light on injustice. This balance is needed. Sometimes Christians speak of injustice without remembering the hope of Christ. Sometimes Christians speak of the hope of Christ but forget the plight of others. Sara Groves' songs are raw and real, but in the end the hope of Christ prevails. Her lyrics and music are needed.
The first Sara Groves song I heard was "When the Saints." She sings of Paul and Silas, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and young girls huddled on brothel floors. I knew of prostitution, but I naively imagined brothels as a thing of the past--something only in Les Miserables and other novels. This is not the case. When I saw Sara in concert a few years ago she gave testimony of young women rescued from brothels by the International Justice Mission. All I could do was weep.
We began singing "When the Saints" at Memorial Baptist. It is amazing the bugs God puts in our ears through the songs we sing. Yikes. It is easier not knowing about such horrors; yet hiding from injustice doesn't make it disappear.
Since this language was part of worship I spoke to our teenagers about it. It was difficult talking with them about such atrocities. You wonder if you're exposing them to too much too soon. Such things are a matter of prayer and discernment.
After our discussions we attended a conference where IJM set up a mock brothel based on the brothels they had seen with their own eyes. There were menus to make ordering and buying people easier. The only word I can think to describe the experience is harrowing.
27 million people are caught in modern day slavery. Join me in praying for these beloved children of God.
One of my favorite Christian recording artists is Sara Groves. Her lyrics express great hope in Christ while also shining a light on injustice. This balance is needed. Sometimes Christians speak of injustice without remembering the hope of Christ. Sometimes Christians speak of the hope of Christ but forget the plight of others. Sara Groves' songs are raw and real, but in the end the hope of Christ prevails. Her lyrics and music are needed.
The first Sara Groves song I heard was "When the Saints." She sings of Paul and Silas, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and young girls huddled on brothel floors. I knew of prostitution, but I naively imagined brothels as a thing of the past--something only in Les Miserables and other novels. This is not the case. When I saw Sara in concert a few years ago she gave testimony of young women rescued from brothels by the International Justice Mission. All I could do was weep.
We began singing "When the Saints" at Memorial Baptist. It is amazing the bugs God puts in our ears through the songs we sing. Yikes. It is easier not knowing about such horrors; yet hiding from injustice doesn't make it disappear.
Since this language was part of worship I spoke to our teenagers about it. It was difficult talking with them about such atrocities. You wonder if you're exposing them to too much too soon. Such things are a matter of prayer and discernment.
After our discussions we attended a conference where IJM set up a mock brothel based on the brothels they had seen with their own eyes. There were menus to make ordering and buying people easier. The only word I can think to describe the experience is harrowing.
27 million people are caught in modern day slavery. Join me in praying for these beloved children of God.
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