News Archive
The Stand
It was an interesting experience, devising a quiz for the youth, ("Was Goliath from Gath, Gaul, Gilgal, or Gallowgate?"), watching Shotty pretend to read the Times with Heat magazine secreted inside, or seeing Ruth Stephens and Anna Bateman share headphones (what were you listening to?). Conversations ranged from opinions on the latest Bond film, to road trips across the USA. We met Anne, Madeleine and Ellis Macauley, and Sally Murray and caught up on their news.So what did we go all that way for? Was it worth the time, trouble and effort?
The Stand was an amazing event, a powerful way for Christians to stand together and say a big "No!" to people trafficking, modern day slavery and exploitation of children. We worshipped God, we did some prophetic praying, heard lots of stories, and heard from those who are not just thinking of action but rescuing people day by day and helping them get healed. And we got lots of information.
Some things to think about:
Every 30 seconds someone somewhere is trafficked.
In Britain there are more than 4,000 people enslaved (Human Trafficking Centre figures).
250 million people in India are "untouchable" - outcast, ill treated, they have come to Christians to ask them to educate their children.
If the church, the body of Christ, is not the hope for the world, what hope is there for people?
What can we do? Pray, campaign, buy fairtrade, support a child, but above all share God's heart for "the least of these".