Justice Response
The Anti-Slavery Mission of Justice Response
Did you know that men, women and children are being bought and sold...right in front of us? We’re talking about the modern-day equivalent of slavery: Human Trafficking. From Asia and Europe, from the Middle East and the Americas and Africa, almost a million people are caught in trafficking around the world, mostly women and children. An estimated 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked annually into the United States alone, not to mention an estimated 300,000 American children at-risk for domestic trafficking (trafficked within our own borders). These victims of modern-day slavery are being forced to live under oppression in the underground sex industry and labor market, and it is happening in the towns and cities where we live – it is happening where we minister.
OK, what do we do? The Vineyard Anti-Slavery Team (VAST) is gathering and connecting those who have a heart for this ministry of justice for the oppressed. Justice Response is a resource site and a connecting place for us to come together to learn more about human trafficking in order to: train the people in our churches to respond thoughtfully and strategically, pray against it and intercede for the victims and survivors, empower those within our communities who are at-risk of being trafficked, and effectively serve victims and survivors. We invite you to listen and look for what the Father might already be calling you to do in your community. If this issue touches your heart, please join us as we seek to follow the Father in the fight against human trafficking.
The Vineyard Anti-Slavery Team began as the first initiative of a larger, encompassing ministry called Justice Response. This is a ministry that with some nurture, facilitation, leadership and a few resources can become a primary resource for mercy and compassion ministries throughout the Vineyard and beyond. In the first year of launching the Justice Response/Vineyard Anti-Slavery Team resource website, this ministry has done just that – helping not only Vineyard churches, but in the heritage of the Vineyard, we have helped and empowered the worldwide Church at-large.
Over the course of the next twelve months, we aim for the following:
- Targeting domestic and intl missions, integrating anti-trafficking education and awareness for teams
- Lifting up prevention by means of integrating a church's existing ministries to fight trafficking
- Formalizing existing training and educational resources that we can offer as modules/ workshops to churches, perhaps focusing on getting ourselves invited to all regiona conferences?
- Reaching out and connecting with key leaders of justice ministry in the regions
VAST Values
· Biblical Justice
· A holistic approach to restoration
· Empowering on the local level: local church-based ministry