This week Shawn worked in children's ministry. I know, what senior pastor steps out of the pulpit to take a turn as an ordinary volunteer in kid's ministry? Shawn decided that since we have had a hard time filling slots, he would lead by example. Nothing says children's ministry is important more than the senior pastor taking the time to volunteer. It also gives the children the opportunity to get to know their pastor, to trust him enough to share their problems, and to be comfortable asking him about how to follow Jesus.
Since Shawn was volunteering in the children's area, I spoke to our congregation on the topic of international justice - specifically targeting the widespread problem of slave trading. Slave trafficking is currently the 2nd largest crime industry in the world, with an estimated worth of 32 BILLION dollars. There are at least 27 million people who are currently enslaved around the world.
I shared several scriptures that tell us that as believers we should seek justice for those who are oppressed. I thought I would post two of my favorites.
The first was Isaiah 1:17, "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows."
I love that first statements "learn to do good." There is so much I do not know about how to become involved in the battle against slave trafficking, but I can learn how to do good.
The second is Amos 5:23-24, "Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living."
I love that picture of becoming a part of a mighty flood of justice. Alone I am just a raindrop, but I can join with others under God's direction to become more. I had wanted to share this video yesterday, but wasn't able to get it to download to my computer. After watching this video about slave trafficking, you can look at the following websites for more information and ways to get involved: www.ijm.org or www.thea21campaign.org
