Home > Outreach Ministries > Human Trafficking > What is the Covenant doing?

Churches

Churches are asked to briefly describe their plan(s) to engage human trafficking by going to this link. These will be posted as ideas for other churches seeking ways to meaningfully participate in this justice issue. Responses will be posted below as space permits.

For a calendar of monthly activities to promote in your church, click here.

What our church is doing...

Karen Lann of Bellingham Covenant Church (BCC) in Bellingham, WA, says: "[We] welcomed Ruth Hill, Executive Minister of ECC Women Ministries on July 20. Ruth spoke about Project 2008, 'Break the Chains,' sharing stories of her recent trip to India and the work the Hindustani Covenant Church and International Justice Mission are doing to fight human trafficking. An anonymous challenge matching gift of $1,000 was given and over $5,000 was contributed during the morning offering.

A group of BCC members plan to participate in the Bellingham Bay Marathon/Half Marathon/5K as members of the 'Break the Chains Team' to raise awareness and money for BTC and its two partners in India.

We've placed a copy of Good Newes About Injustice by Gary Haugen in the church library and asked people to pray for the victims and rescuers using a prayer guide, 'Help Break the Chains by Praying.' A group has also been formed to pray together and ask for God's vision for BCC's involvement in 'Break the Chains.'

+ + +

Pastor Garth McGrath of Monadnock Covenant Church in Keene, NH, says: "We are going to show the 'Break the Chains' [DVD] to our congregation during a worship service in September and announce a commitment to start freeing slaves by supporting the work of the Hindustani Covenant Church as well as the International Justice Mission in the amount of $100 a month for 12 months. We will be doing some monthly articles in our church newsletter and giving updates in our Sunday morning worship services."

Pastor McGrath also serves on the Executive Committee of the ECC 

+ + +

Click here for an inspiring story from Faith Covenant Church in Colorado Springs, CO.

+ + + 

Betty Kay Bethel of Pleasantdale Community Church in Troy, NY, says: "We are a small church of approximately 20 active members. We are sending $432 for the project 'Break the Chains.' It was with great concern and grief we saw the DVD concerning this terrible crime against all human beings. We thank you and Women Ministries for bringing it to our attention. Our pastor did devote a Sunday sermon to this subject. We have set up a committee to work on some of the suggestions as outlined on the web site, as to how else we can meet this challenge."

+ + + 

Mae Cannon of Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek, CA, says:  "Our church has been wrestling with how to get involved in this issue...sometimes it can be so frustrating to just send money and pray! We recently were introduced to an organization in Chiang Mai (Thailand) that was founded with the support of [International Justice Mission] IJM. The organization is called Garden of Hope, and it is an aftercare facility for girls and women who have been rescued. They have a need for volunteers. We will be taking a team to serve in November for two weeks with the hopes of partnering and encouraging their ministry. I would imagine that it will be a life-changing experience for our team and for our church."

+ + +

Pastor Brad Hill of Glenview Covenant Church in Glenview, Ilinois, says: "During Lent we showed the DVD Amazing Grace over six Wednesday evenings. On the last evening we connected this to current slavery issues and showed the DVD Break the Chains on the last gathering during Holy Week. Some discussion ensued."

+ + + 

John Tanagho of Sojourner Covenant Church in Evanston, Illinois, invites anyone to attend 3 events at Sojourner during the month of April.  Look at the attached download for details.

+ + + 

Pastor Pat Stark of Genesis Covenant Church in Cave Creek, Arizona: Genesis CC has partnered with a ministry in Ghana, Africa, that is rescuing trafficked children (some as young as 5 years old) from the fishing trade on Lake Volta. We sent a team over in August 2007 to assess how we might be able to help and are now strategizing about ways to help them build more housing for rescued kids, working with the Ghanaian government to make them aware of the immensity of the problem. We are hoping to spearhead an effort to bring cottage industry to the ministry to become self supporting.

+ + + 

Pastor Bryan of Faith Community Church in Houston, TX: After learning that 25% of all human trafficking prosecutions in the U.S. take place in Houston, I began doing local research and found a ministry doing amazing things here in Houston. I've spent a great deal of time with them and have invited them to speak at our church. We are having a Saturday in March with some guest speakers and opportunities for our members to volunteer with local organizations. (posted 2/26/08)

+ + + 

Sherri Cross of Chandler, AZ: I am leading a team to do a Women's retreat in Kashmir...After an all-Arizona Women's gathering...we would like to "stop by" the Hindustani Covenant Church...to help with the Breaking the Chains project...Please let me know how we can be of service and how to begin planning. God touched our hearts deeply through the video [Break the Chains].

+ + + 

Lucy Sharkey writes from First Covenant Church, Youngstown, OH: Women Ministries will be issuing a challenge to our church members and friends, requesting they assist us in sending a substantial contribution above and beyond the annual budgeted amount for the national project. On WM Sunday, our retiring offering will be designated for Breaking the Chains."We will ask our members to consider giving an extra $10 each. It only takes 100 $10s to become $1000 to support the Hindustani Covenant Church and the International Justice Mission in their efforts to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking."

+ + + 

First Covenant Church in Youngstown showed the Breaking the Chains DVD on Women Ministries Sunday and over $1,000 was given that morning for this project, with more coming in.  

+ + + 

Kathie Norman writes from Modesto Covenant Church, Modesto, CA: (We are) pleased to welcome Ruth Hill....to speak on February 16...at the Dot2Dot brunch for women. She will also be addressing the issue of human trafficking and what we can do to practically impact this tragic reality. This issue is the 2008 national project for our denomination where we will partner with two missions focusing on this world-wide problem. The brunch will begin at 9:30 a.m. .... Women from ten churches within our area cluster will be attending. We will be providing postcards to those interested in writing notes of concern to their congressmen and women about this issue. In addition, Ruth will speak in the worship services on February 17, which is our Women Ministries' Sunday.

080331-Break-the-Chains-Events-at-Sojourner.doc