VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-When International Ministries (IM) launched Go Global, its strategic plan for 2000 to 2010, one of its specific commitments was to renew and deepen "work with and for children, youth, and women." That commitment has led IM into a surprising array of ministries to children, youth, and women in prostitution.
At the recently completed meeting of its board of directors, IM gave a video presentation: Living Hope for People in Prostitution. This brief video calls attention to the global scourge of sex-trafficking, and provides a glimpse of the recent International Christian Conference on Prostitution (ICCP, co-sponsored by International Ministries) and documents the birth of a global network for mission collaboration in this area, the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution.
A dozen IM missionaries, and several leaders from international partner churches, came from around the world to attend ICCP and to help launch the network. Several of the ministries represented by these partner leaders and missionaries have received attention in the media and in global forums, including the New Life Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the global consulting work of Lauran Bethell (recipient of the Baptist World Alliance Human Rights Award in 2005) and, most recently, the work of Annie Dieselberg and the Nightlight ministry in Bangkok (featured in recent stories on the Christian Broadcasting Network and Sojourners).
Rev. Charles Jones, Acting Executive Director, commented, "When we renewed our commitment to serve children, youth and women, we did not set out to tackle the global issue of prostitution. But God used our focus on ministry to and with the poor, marginalized, and exploited, to lead International Ministries into serving people in prostitution. Truly, we have been surprised by God in mission."
To obtain a copy of the video Living Hope for People in Prostitution, call 1-800-222-3872, ext. 2196. Or you may email the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development