Now what?

Now that we've seen the Call + Response film, heard our guest speaker (The Director of The Salvation Army PROMISE program and Founder of Anne's House), and had some dialogue about modern-day slavery - that is the question that remains: Now what?

As Call + Response writer, director and producer, Justin Dillon, asks in the film's climax:

This is an open source movement. The platform is written, everybody simply needs to write their code on top. What are you good at? What do you care about? Has this issue touched you? What is your response going to be?

What will be our Response?

Even if you weren't able to be at Wednesday's event, you can sill be part of the Response to modern-day slavery - both globally and locally.

You can:
-Fund Care for Local Trafficking Victims: Here is an order form for gift cards to be given to Anne's House. (Also available in the Narthex.) Giving gift cards provides needed food and clothes for girls rescued from sex slavery - girls now receiving vital care in the Chicago area. Orders due next Sunday, Feb. 26.

-Chose an Action: The Call + Response website offers ways to be an abolitionist, including telling companies you want them to produce their products without using slave labor. ("Be the Response" cards also available in the Narthex.)

-Learn More: Learn about the PROMISE program in general and Anne's House in particular. (Brochures about both are also available in the Narthex.)

Why do we do this?

In his first public declaration, Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me...He sent me to tell those who are held captive that they can now be set free... He sent me to liberate those held down by oppression.” (Luke 4:18)

Clearly, the victims of modern-day slavery (also called human trafficking) need to hear the good news that God is with them. They need to hear the good news that God’s dream for their lives is for them to be free.

As followers of God in the Way of Jesus, we are called to bring that dream of God’s to life! Every week we pray that God’s will be done here on earth, as it is in Heaven. We are the hands, the feet and the voice of Jesus on earth. We can - we must! - partner with God’s Holy Spirit to end the violent oppression that is modern-day slavery.

Along with the film’s creators, we believe "the end of modern day slavery will come from individuals who gather together to push on businesses, media, and governments to support their existing values for human rights. We believe that this is a bottom-up movement that needs dynamic information, sustained inspiration, and most importantly, tactile activation.”

The people of WUMC have been actively fighting human trafficking for over two years. But there is always more to learn and more ways to engage this issue. We hope you’ll join us as we continue on this journey. We hope you’ll join us in this modern-day abolitionist movement.