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February 9, 2016 by Guest

Wake Up Call Leads Man to Fight Sex Trafficking; How JuST Faith Summit Will Equip the Willing

Guest Blogger Jay McKenney

I remember the first time I heard the phrase “sex trafficking.” I didn’t quite understand it. When I did hear what it meant I saw it as happening somewhere else, far away from my life or ability to do anything about it.

About 10 years ago someone told me it happens here, in Oregon, all the time. It rocked my world, especially now that I am a father of two daughters who I would give my life for. There are so many things I want for my daughters. I want them to know they are loved, by me and by God. I want the men in their life to treat them with the same respect and care that I do. I know there are many things I will not be able to shield them from in this life, but there are some that I would die trying.

I was at a leadership conference about four years ago and one of the speakers challenged everyone with a question, “What’s the evil in the world that you can’t live with, that you can’t stand more than any other?” For me, sex trafficking was the obvious answer. The thought of men stalking my or anyone else’s daughter, to bring her into a world of pain and agony for financial gain, fills me with more emotion than I know how to handle on my own. And I know there are many girls who don’t have a dad around like me to care, and they need dads like me to step up and become educated and take action on their behalf.

Like a lot of things in life, after some time had passed, I settled back into my comfortable American routine and forgot about that question and my answer, pushing both to the back of my mind.

The comfort was short lived as I suddenly began a three year battle with cancer. Three brutal surgeries followed by three even more brutal recoveries. My priorities in life changed, and my gratefulness for each day grew exponentially. By the grace of God I have been cancer free for a year now. And it is possible life could go back to a temporary season of comfort.

But I feel like God has something else in mind for me than my old view of the American dream. When a friend reached out about the upcoming JuST Faith Summit, I knew immediately I was supposed to go. I know God is putting things in place in my life to bring that question, and the answer, back into the forefront. I am meant to go beyond just thinking about how much I hate the idea of sex trafficking, to getting really practical about what I can actually do to help the problem.

At this point I don’t know what that looks like, but I’m excited to find out. I’m excited the second chance I have in life right now could intersect with a meaningful and intentional mission in whatever time I have left.

Jay McKenney is the Minister of Creative Arts at Sunset Presbyterian where he has served for 10 years. He has been married to his wife of 20 years, and has two daughters. In addition to family time, Jay enjoys photography, videography and health coaching. You can see some of his love for photography at Mac in Black Productions on Facebook or @macinblackproductions on Instagram.

This blog post was originally part of our 2016 Faith Summit Speaker Blog Series.

January 19, 2016 by Guest

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Briefing – Human Trafficking

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Briefing
In Conjunction With Exodus Cry and Shared Hope International

The Demand Factor in the Global Sex Trade:
Human Trafficking as a Human Rights Crisis

This event is in the past. Please watch the video above or read the transcript.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

2255 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C.

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a briefing on how the demand for commercial sex fuels the global human trafficking industry, perpetuating a human rights crisis.

International sex trafficking represents a serious human rights crisis affecting millions of people, primarily women and girls. It is a nefarious enterprise that generates nearly $100 billion in revenue annually worldwide.

The sexual exploitation that undergirds the industry is perpetrated by two key players: the trafficker (“pimp”) and the buyer (“john”). To downplay the role of either is a failure to grasp the basic dynamic of human trafficking. Yet, the buyer is often viewed through a lens of tolerance or even ignored, his actions tempered by cultural permissiveness or protected by outright legalization. Research has revealed that legalization or decriminalization of the purchase of commercial sex serves to drive the demand for sex trafficking and encourages buyers. By removing criminality along with the associated stigma, buyers experience few consequences and thus perpetuate their actions. A flourishing market in the trafficking of women and children develops to meet unsatisfied interests of buyers in the legal realm. Demand for commercial sex drives human trafficking and presents a dire human rights crisis for those who are violated and exploited.

The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime of 2000 expressly addresses the requirement that nations make serious efforts to reduce demand for trafficked persons. Article nine, addressing prevention of human trafficking specifically directs that, “States Parties shall adopt or strengthen legislative or other measures, such as educational, social or cultural measures, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, to discourage the demand that fosters all forms of exploitation of persons, especially women and children, that leads to trafficking.”

Please join us to hear from experts on the frontlines in the fight against human trafficking as they discuss the danger caused by purchasers and purveyors of commercial sex and successful efforts employed to combat demand.

Panelists

Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)
Ernie Allen, Allen Global Consulting
Rev. Dr. Marian Hatcher, Senior Project Manager/Human Trafficking Coordinator
Attorney General Sam Olens, Georgia
Kubiiki Pride, mother of a sex trafficking survivor and advocate against sexual exploitation of women and children

Moderator

Rep. Randy Hultgren, Executive Committee, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

The briefing will be open to members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public and the media.

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission is the largest bipartisan and bicameral congressional human rights working group, which was founded by the late Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and retired Congressman John Edward Porter (R-IL) in 1983. The mission of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission is to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms in a nonpartisan manner, both within and outside of Congress.

January 14, 2016 by SHI Staff

Human Trafficking: What You Need To Know – Focus on the Family Best of 2015

On January 19 and 20, Shared Hope International will return to Focus on the Family radio network. Our 2-part series, Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know, was selected for the Best of 2015 lineup, airing this month. We invite you to tune in, and invite everyone you know to tune in as well.

Recently, Focus on the Family sent us this note from one parent who
happened to tune in at just the right time. What happened next will bring you to tears.

“When I heard your broadcast on human trafficking, my heart broke. My daughter, who was 13 years old at the time, was experiencing all the signs that the guest described, and I was truly worried. I decided to search my daughter’s room and much to my alarm, I found stripper clothing and wads of money. When I discovered these things, I knew that it was no accident that I just ‘happened’ to be driving and I clicked on the radio at the exact time of your radio program. I knew that God had specifically provided for me. My father’s heart was pierced, and I called and spoke to one of the [Focus on the Family] counselors, who helped me contact help and place my daughter into a residential treatment center. Thank you for airing this broadcast because through it you have saved the life of a precious child from the chains of slavery.”

Please join us and invite everyone you know. You don’t know the impact it will make and the lives it might save. Join us January 19 and 20. Find a station in your area or listen online.

December 30, 2015 by webdesigner

3 Reasons Why Every Pastor Should Attend the JuST Faith Summit

A national epidemic has been ignored for too long, a dark addiction fueled by instant access to pornography, spawning a commercial sex industry that is consuming our children. And everyone pays the price—the child whose innocence is stolen, the man who can’t overcome his addiction, and the society that bears the loss of both. Our world has been helpless to stop the tide because we, the church, have remained silent. Frozen in fear, in ignorance, in disillusion. But, together in our many faiths, we have the power to push away the darkness.

It’s there, and it’s waiting for you to notice..

Children are being bought and sold for sex every night—in America. We, the church, have a mighty role in addressing and stopping this tragedy, if we are ready and willing.

On April 20-22, 2016, we invite you to join us for the JuST Faith Summit in Orlando.

Here are 3 reasons why every pastor should attend the JuST Faith Summit:

1. Get Equipped – You want to help but don’t know where to start. We do. Join us to learn practical tools for getting started and finding a dynamic and sustainable way to leverage your community’s resources to tackle trafficking.

2. Get Connected – There is a committed, dedicated team across the nation making meaningful strides in the fight against sex trafficking. We want you to meet them. Learn from others and share resources to make the biggest impact possible.

3. Get Inspired – Hear amazing stories of freedom, restoration, and change. We are launching a movement within the church to face the overlooked and ignored issue of sexual perversion and abuse and want you to be a part of it.

Please join us and together, let’s bring an end to this epidemic.

December 17, 2015 by SHI Staff

Four Ways to Give to Shared Hope International

In this season of Christmas cheer, spread a little love to Shared Hope to help us fight trafficking all year through. Here are four simple ways to donate to Shared Hope (and some won’t cost you a dime)!

1. Shop on Smile.Amazon.com

When you start your shopping at smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com, you will access the exact same shopping experience, products and prices, but .5% of your purchase will be donated to Shared Hope! Simply visit smile.amazon.com, select “Shared Hope International” as your selected charity (you will be prompted upon your first visit or you can change your supported charity under the search bar) and Amazon will donate a part of your purchase to Shared Hope!

2. Shop our Store!

Visit www.sharedhope.org/store to purchase books, movies, training resources and apparel! Consider gifting Renting Lacy to your sister and her daughter so they can read the book together and discuss the dangers of trafficking. Team up with a few parents from your child’s class to purchase the teacher a copy of Chosen, a youth sex trafficking prevention video and resource, which makes talking about trafficking easier! Proceeds from the store helps fund our prevention, restoration and justice work all year long!

3. Purchase a Brick!

Help us build the Path to Freedom at Shared Hope’s restoration home, Terry’s House, by donating $250 for an engraved paver stone with your name on it! Engrave the name of a loved one for an extra special Christmas present this year and give the gift of love and encouragement to women at Terry’s House for years to come!

4. Put Shared Hope on Your Christmas List!

Every dollar donated to Shared Hope will be matched dollar for dollar until December 31! Your friends and family can donate in your name by selecting “Dedicate my gift to” and entering your name in the box “This gift is in honor/memory of:”. It’s an easy way to make their donation go twice as far and help support a great cause. They can donate online at www.sharedhope.org/donate.