Churches Come Together To Pray Against Slavery For Freedom Sunday
Written by Heartsong Live on 24th September 2020
Last Sunday saw Thousands of churches around the world take a stand against modern-day slavery as part of International Justice Mission (IJM)’s Freedom Sunday.
Freedom Sunday- an annual event- takes place amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic which is said to have increased poverty and vulnerability, making more people at risk of trafficking and exploitation.
IJM said the aim was for as many churches as possible to pray for an end to slavery in our lifetime and that freedom will become the “new normal”.
Though normally held in church buildings, Freedom Sunday saw many churches meeting to pray online due to lockdown restrictions. A call to end slavery was to be read out in multiple languages, across many countries
IJM said in a statement: “This year as all of us are navigating the pandemic, the movement to end slavery is even more urgent. Many people have been made more vulnerable in this period of financial hardship and prolonged isolation.
“The World Bank estimates that 49 million more people will be forced into extreme poverty this year. Economies crashing, people losing jobs, migrant workers being left stranded and family members dying means that millions of vulnerable people are now at increased risk of violence and exploitation, with traffickers likely to take advantage with false job offers.”
IJM teams and partners have helped free over 3,000 people from slavery and oppression since March. In South Asia, one IJM-led rescue operation saw 360 people free. The charity said that then inspired the local government to demand the release of a further 6,750 migrant labourers.
IJM said it’s felt the impact of the Church with pastors in Ghana preaching about justice to the traffickers in their congregations, and a church in Guatemala trained to recognise the signs of abuse preventing a young girl from being sold into child marriage during the lockdown. It has also helped churches in the Philippines running rehabilitation centres for young children sexually exploited online.
Source: Premier Christian News
