Home > Outreach Ministries > Human Trafficking > What is my response? > Here are your responses

Here are your responses

Each time you complete an act engaging your heart, mind, voice, hands or your time, we invite you to share that with us. As responses stream together, may we see "justice roll on like a mighty river." For reports on what Covenant Churches are doing to engage human trafficking click here.

* * *

Renee Franzen of New Brighton, MN, says: "I intend to bring this issue forward in every preaching/teaching opportunity God brings me. We watched the video ("Break the Chains") in April, now we'll revisit it again in July. I'm grateful for the suggestion to use the book, Good News About Injustice in adult formation classes."

* * *

Carmen Bullard of Mercer Island, WA, says: "I wanted to write something as I am very serious about looking into what I can do personally to assist with this issue. I am an attorney trained in international law having lived and studied abroad [in Italy with Georgetown University]. I also lived in Armenia for several years working with orphans and also with girls who were exposed to requests related to prostitution and human trafficking. Part of my mission there was to provide jobs for girls so that they would not get involved. I hired girls I found on the street and ministered to them. I would very much love to get involved with helping with this cause. Whether writing articles, doing presentations regarding what happens and has happened in various countries, or being part of a team to go and help others see what is happening to obtain first-hand experience to pluck their heart strings to help with the cost of these endeavors."

* * *

Gary Walter of Palatine, IL, says: "This is troubling to the soul, especially as the father of three daughters. We are too sheltered from these realities; almost incredulous that this could be happening at this point of history. Let's find our rightful place in this issue and be faithful."

* * *

Duane Hayes of Sagamore Beach, MA, says: "We are currently sponsoring two children in Calcutta who were born into slavery. We are very involved with a group known as TEN, The Emancipation Network. They are a group who sells products produced by survivors."

* * *

Kathie Norman of Modesto, CA, says: "I wrote to my Governor and two U.S. Senators imploring them to thoughtfully consider the issue of human trafficking. I have received a response from Senator Feinstein. I will attend a two-day seminar with Gary Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission, on May 9-10."

(Kathie Norman is a member of the ECC Executive Board.) 

* * *

Elizabeth Cox of North Easton, MA, says: "Our church is holding a 2-week adult Sunday school class on modern-day slavery. We are also following up with a Covenant Women's evening meeting to talk about what our response will be."

* * * 

Mary Christenson of Richfield, MN, says: "I will do all that I can."

* * * 

Debbie Blue of Chicago, IL, says: "I'm thrilled to see the wonderful response to this initiative! As I continue to make others aware of these efforts, I have viewed three of the movies on the list and added my name to the Stop the Traffik campaign. I also learned more about this issue last year as several of us from Covenant World Relief met with the FAAST team in Sierra Leone. Thanks for all that you're doing to end human trafficking."

(Debbie Blue is Executive Minister of the Dept. of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice for the ECC) 

* * * 

Dean Lundgren of Inverness, IL, says: "We are using Gary Haugen's book, Good News About Injustice, in our adult Sunday school class at Deer Grove Covenant Church in Palatine, IL. I had the opportuity to facilitate the class this past Sunday. It is a superb book, and we are finding it to be an exccellent resource, Biblically based, very thought provoking and action oriented. I highly recommend this topic for high school and adult education settings in other Covenant churches!"

(Dean Lundgren is Vice-President for Finance for the ECC)

* * * 

Stacy Peterson of Chicago, IL, says: "In order to increase my own knowledge of this devastating violation of human rights, I have chosen human trafficking as the topic for a final project as part of my graduate studies in social work. I will work to raise awareness of trafficking within my professional and personal network."

* * *

Jane Matheson of Ham Lake, MN, says: "I will ask that a few friends read a book about this issue with me and discuss how we can raise awareness of human trafficking in our churches."

(Ms. Matheson is a member of the ECC Executive Board). 

* * * 

Janice Coleman of Joliet, IL, says: "National Organization for Women apparently has chosen to turn their heads away from this topic while God hangs his head in sadness. As Christian women we must turn our heads and face this terrible injustice and choose to do something-starting with prayer. I will personally be looking for ways to financially support those who are on the front line against this atrocity - perhaps a fund raiser at my church, perhaps an increase in my gifts to the Covenant church but certainly devotion to prayer first and foremost."

* * * 

Becky Slomiany of Aurora, CO, says: "I was deeply touched by this issue when Ruth presented it at our meeting. I pray; I will be reading Ending Slavery; giving financially and see where else God leads."

(Ms. Slomiany is a member of the ECC Executive Board). 

* * * 

Toni Schwabe of Wyoming, MN, says: "International Justice Mission (IJM) is having a fund raising event at the Hyatt in Minneapolis on May 27. Sara Groves and her husband are supporting this with a concert and organization of tables. We are trying to sponsor a table which is now nearly full. I will also be meeting the regional director of IJM and will seek a closer relationship for the NWC churches and IJM."

* * * 

Kelly Prudek of Prague, Czech Republic, says: "Dubi is a town along the Czech border where the main road is lined with sex clubs. Many girls in these clubs work there against their will. Last Friday night, Kamil, Doris and I drove to the ridge of the mountain that looks down on the city and prayed for Dubi - for God's light to shine brightly and for the girls to be released from their prison. Between the border crossing and Dubi, little cottages line the roads - this is where many of the girls work. We stopped our car and prayed for the girls within and their clients. We plan to visit once a month and in the meantime are praying for a team of believers from Dubi to join us."

(Kelly Prudek is a Covenant missionary serving in the Czech Republic.) 

* * *

Maggie Englund of Portland, OR, says: "I will be preaching on justice on April 13. Our church that day will also view the ("Break the Chains") video...and will be engagine in prayer as a way of joining the voices around the country praying with International Justice Mission that day in Washington, DC."

* * *

Cherry  Taylor of Rice Creek Covenant in Lino Lakes, MN, says: Toni Schwabe spoke at our church on Women Ministries Sunday (in March) addressing the issue of human trafficking. Her energy and passion for God's work in this area really spoke to us. The offering that day was to the human trafficking work (Break the Chains) and the response was $1,500. We are a small congregation!"

* * * 

Virginia Huffman of Redwood City, CA, says: "I will engage our church in a compassion and justice learning community. We meet weekly to read and discuss books on compassion and justice. Together we pray, contemplate scripture and serve together in our local community."

* * *

Carla Thelander of Castle Rock, CO, says: "I will be reading and giving and will lead a two-week adult Sunday school class at my church (Castle Oaks Covenant) on justice issues in general and human trafficking in particular."

(Mrs. Thelander is a member of the ECC Executive Board). 

* * * 

* * *

* * * 

Penny Barham of Reidsville, NC, says: "I have ordered two books from the list and I intend to read them and share them. I am also searching for a movie that I will view and consider having a small group in to watch."

(Ms. Barham is a member of the ECC Executive Board).

* * * 

Karla Lian of Coon Rapids, MN, says: A group of 15 women from Anoka Covenant Church watched the Break the Chains DVD.  "Eight women agreed to make and sell bath salts with proceeds going to this project. I felt that by selling this product, the awareness of human trafficking would grow far more than if each of us just wrote a check and sent it in.  I met a woman at Costco and we got into a conversation about this. She asked if she could be a part of it also and is going to tell her friends."

* * * 

Toni Schwabe of Wyoming, MN, says: "Pray, give, make others aware of this travesty not only taking place in India or Asia but in our back yards. Buy Fair Trade products, keep looking for more ways to make a difference."

* * * 

Merryl Havens of Attleboro, MA, says: "Please do everything within your power to stop the trafficking of humans!"

* * * 

Alicia VerHage is personally affiliated with STOP THE TRAFFIK. Go to this link for the complete story from the Covenant News Page. 

Pastor Mark and Sis Damaris from Kenya say: "Dear Servants of God,  I am happy to tell you that I have visited your web page and it has really ministered to my soul and refreshed my inner being. So please help me to know more from you and if possible help my group with teaching.  God bless you."