Grassroots Pursuit of Justice
CCC is partnering with the Free Methodist Church’s Set Free Movement
to fight sex trafficking in our local area
By Jessica Clark
Mention human trafficking and images may come to mind of Amsterdam prostitutes, Indian domestic workers or Taiwanese fisherman, all victims of forced labor. While those examples are all too real, human trafficking is more than some faraway problem. It’s happening in our country, too – as close as Atlanta, and even right here in Columbus.
Mention human trafficking and images may come to mind of Amsterdam prostitutes, Indian domestic workers or Taiwanese fisherman, all victims of forced labor. While those examples are all too real, human trafficking is more than some faraway problem. It’s happening in our country, too – as close as Atlanta, and even right here in Columbus.
“Approximately 200-300 girls are trafficked each month into Atlanta alone for the purpose of sexual exploitation, says Katie Ehle, Communications Director for the Free Methodist Church’s Set Free Movement, “and even more men and women are forced to work against their will in other industries across the state.”
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of those trafficking victims end up in smaller regional cities such as Columbus. “It can happen anywhere,” Ehle says.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of those trafficking victims end up in smaller regional cities such as Columbus. “It can happen anywhere,” Ehle says.
Creating New Futures
Christ Community Church has joined the fight for justice by launching Set Free Columbus. The ministry began under the name Micah's Promise in early 2014, when CCC member Sara Broughton was burdened by the reality of human trafficking.
Since then a core group of leaders has met regularly to pray and develop that vision. In 2015, the ministry became a chapter of the Set Free Movement, which works domestically and globally to end modern-day slavery. CCC member Bobbi Starr is the team leader and liaison with Set Free leadership.
It’s fitting that the Free Methodist Church and the Set Free Movement have become a leader in the fight against human trafficking. With roots in the 19th-century abolitionist movement, the FMC has always fought for those who are vulnerable to injustice.
Led by Free Methodist missionary Kevin Austin, Set Free encourages community-based activism. “[It’s] justice flowing intentionally out of our lives together with Christ at the center,” Ehle says. “We pursue holistic freedom and seek to create new futures for survivors and those vulnerable to modern-day slavery, grounded in the belief that God wants to set us free physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. In order to do this, our work must be built on a foundation of relationships.”
Set Free offers guidance and coaching for churches, teams and individuals who share the vision for ending slavery. For Set Free Columbus, that means leaning on Austin’s expertise as team members seek to formulate a long-term plan. Additional relationships include Set Free teams in Newnan and Atlanta.
While those Set Free connections are invaluable, it’s equally important that Micah’s Promise team members network with key individuals in the Columbus community as they explore the local sex trafficking problem. Each Set Free chapter must be “informed by their local context and work in partnership with others for the common good within their community,” Ehle says.
Christ Community Church has joined the fight for justice by launching Set Free Columbus. The ministry began under the name Micah's Promise in early 2014, when CCC member Sara Broughton was burdened by the reality of human trafficking.
Since then a core group of leaders has met regularly to pray and develop that vision. In 2015, the ministry became a chapter of the Set Free Movement, which works domestically and globally to end modern-day slavery. CCC member Bobbi Starr is the team leader and liaison with Set Free leadership.
It’s fitting that the Free Methodist Church and the Set Free Movement have become a leader in the fight against human trafficking. With roots in the 19th-century abolitionist movement, the FMC has always fought for those who are vulnerable to injustice.
Led by Free Methodist missionary Kevin Austin, Set Free encourages community-based activism. “[It’s] justice flowing intentionally out of our lives together with Christ at the center,” Ehle says. “We pursue holistic freedom and seek to create new futures for survivors and those vulnerable to modern-day slavery, grounded in the belief that God wants to set us free physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. In order to do this, our work must be built on a foundation of relationships.”
Set Free offers guidance and coaching for churches, teams and individuals who share the vision for ending slavery. For Set Free Columbus, that means leaning on Austin’s expertise as team members seek to formulate a long-term plan. Additional relationships include Set Free teams in Newnan and Atlanta.
While those Set Free connections are invaluable, it’s equally important that Micah’s Promise team members network with key individuals in the Columbus community as they explore the local sex trafficking problem. Each Set Free chapter must be “informed by their local context and work in partnership with others for the common good within their community,” Ehle says.
Sex Trafficking in Columbus
Wherever there is a breakdown of some kind in a community, exploitation has the potential to thrive. Particularly in larger cities – and Columbus is Georgia’s second largest – those who do the exploiting have more room to hide.
A key local contact for Micah’s Promise has been an area law enforcement officer who understands the complexities of sex trafficking and shares the concern for its victims. The officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said local police are beginning to develop a program for proper training in dealing with sex trafficking cases.
“We see prostitution here in Columbus, but not as much sex trafficking,” the officer said, but added that prostitution and drug-related cases can lead to the discovery of sex trafficking. Recognizing such a thing is one component of the training program.
The proper response, the officer said, would “depend on what you are presented with.” If there was a clear-cut case of sex trafficking, specialists in sexual assault would be consulted with regard to prosecution and court proceedings.
Wherever there is a breakdown of some kind in a community, exploitation has the potential to thrive. Particularly in larger cities – and Columbus is Georgia’s second largest – those who do the exploiting have more room to hide.
A key local contact for Micah’s Promise has been an area law enforcement officer who understands the complexities of sex trafficking and shares the concern for its victims. The officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said local police are beginning to develop a program for proper training in dealing with sex trafficking cases.
“We see prostitution here in Columbus, but not as much sex trafficking,” the officer said, but added that prostitution and drug-related cases can lead to the discovery of sex trafficking. Recognizing such a thing is one component of the training program.
The proper response, the officer said, would “depend on what you are presented with.” If there was a clear-cut case of sex trafficking, specialists in sexual assault would be consulted with regard to prosecution and court proceedings.
Just as local police are learning about the issue, so too must the general public be educated. Some practical ways to be more informed is to simply spend time researching, reading and asking good questions.
“Education needs to begin first with the adults as a foundation that can then be passed to the younger generation,” the local officer said. “Bringing education to the community will help bring an end to this and save the victim.”
The officer added that, “regardless of numbers, whether it’s one victim or 10,000, when you know this crime is prevalent in the U.S., rescuing one victim is worth it. Even though it doesn’t happen to me, it happens to others and that’s enough to do something about it.”
“Education needs to begin first with the adults as a foundation that can then be passed to the younger generation,” the local officer said. “Bringing education to the community will help bring an end to this and save the victim.”
The officer added that, “regardless of numbers, whether it’s one victim or 10,000, when you know this crime is prevalent in the U.S., rescuing one victim is worth it. Even though it doesn’t happen to me, it happens to others and that’s enough to do something about it.”
A Call to Respond
“So what can I do?” you might be asking. There are many ways the CCC body can come alongside and support the ministry of Set Free Columbus. Pam Bone, CCC’s Director of LIVE Ministries, says the biggest and most fundamental need is prayer. Specific prayer concerns are for the group’s leadership, for networking with key contacts, and for funds to help grow the ministry.
Another way to support Set Free Columbus is to listen and learn from team members – to hear their stories, understand their mission and discover ways to change our community and set people free from bondage. As you do so, you may find God is calling to become more involved. The team needs volunteers with experience in fundraising, legal matters, psychology, medicine, marketing and more.
Kevin Austin says, “Whatever you do, do it in the direction of freedom.” Let that be the phrase that drives our motives and decisions related to this issue of human trafficking. Whether it’s supporting Set Free Columbus through active prayer, spreading the word to your community, or simply educating yourself on the issues of human trafficking, do it in the direction of freedom.
Click here to follow Set Free Columbus on Facebook. Questions? Email Bobbi Starr.
“So what can I do?” you might be asking. There are many ways the CCC body can come alongside and support the ministry of Set Free Columbus. Pam Bone, CCC’s Director of LIVE Ministries, says the biggest and most fundamental need is prayer. Specific prayer concerns are for the group’s leadership, for networking with key contacts, and for funds to help grow the ministry.
Another way to support Set Free Columbus is to listen and learn from team members – to hear their stories, understand their mission and discover ways to change our community and set people free from bondage. As you do so, you may find God is calling to become more involved. The team needs volunteers with experience in fundraising, legal matters, psychology, medicine, marketing and more.
Kevin Austin says, “Whatever you do, do it in the direction of freedom.” Let that be the phrase that drives our motives and decisions related to this issue of human trafficking. Whether it’s supporting Set Free Columbus through active prayer, spreading the word to your community, or simply educating yourself on the issues of human trafficking, do it in the direction of freedom.
Click here to follow Set Free Columbus on Facebook. Questions? Email Bobbi Starr.