Christians to 'Stand' against human trafficking

Christian ministries are uniting for a key event in Birmingham next month to raise awareness among churchgoers of human trafficking and other forms of modern day slavery.

Speakers at The Stand will include Operation Mobilisation Associate International Coordinator and Chair of the Dalit Freedom Network, Dr Joseph D'Souza, Director of the Message Trust, Andy Hawthorne, and Baroness Cox.

The event, at Birmingham's NEC, is an initiative of Hope for Justice, a movement of Christians dedicated to bringing about justice and righteousness.

"Justice issues are not just for Christians, but for all right-minded people on
this planet," said Gary Sloan, the director of Stand partner, Operation Mobilisation UK.

OM has strengthened its commitment to social justice issues in recent years through its pastoral work with India's oppressed Dalits. It now oversees 80 Dalit Education Centres across India.

"God has led us into this area of justice," said Sloan. "When it came to The Stand, it wasn't a long discussion to get involved. This is who OM is, proclaiming God's Word, helping people and standing up for the oppressed.

"As we continue this journey, we look at Jesus in the synagogue and quoting from Isaiah in Luke 4:18 - 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.'"

Top Christian artists, Delirious?, YFriday, thebandwithnoname and Switchfoot's Jon Foreman will also turn out to support the event.

On the web: www.hopeforjustice.org.uk/thestand