Go big or go home

There's been a rising trend of Human Trafficking awareness, especially in the American Church. My church, Peninsula Covenant, is hardly a stranger to the altruistic bandwagon. Last summer we did this whole series on what Christ-followers should stand for, including justice for the oppressed. Our topic of choice was none other than the trafficking of human beings.

We learned A LOT about the whole issue:
- 27 million slaves (more victims today than all the victims in the centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade in the colonial era)
- 80% female, 50% legal minors
- Second fastest growing income for organized crime
- Generates $31 billion annually
- Used for Prostitution, Manual Labor Agricultural workers, Domestic workers, Child soldiers etc.
- CALIFORNIA IS AN INTERNATIONAL HUB FOR TRAFFICKED INDIVIDUALS, SPECIFICALLY THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

As you can imagine, the revelation that slavery was happening in our own backyards was at the very least disturbing to many people in my congregation. One question burned on every heart who sat in the pews every Sunday: what can I do?

In October of 2008, two of my friends did something. Shiloh Hurst and Hannah Denecour combined their love of dance with God's heart for justice. These young ladies organized a 5 hour Dance-A-Thon (whatever the hell that is) to raise money to fight against modern slaver. They got a bunch of people from school and church and whatnot to collect pledges for dancing a certain amount of hours at this little shindig.

So I stopped by after my night class and - let me tell you - it was quite the party! Our DJ friend Alex was at the turn tables and a crowd of sweaty teenagers adorned with glow-sticks were tearin' up on the floor. They had a strobe light, a disco ball, lights, the works. I managed to catch the "salsa" and "techno" sessions.

According to International Justice Mission it takes $1,000 to successfully emancipate a slave and keep them out of forced labor. More specifically, it costs $1,000 to locate and liberate a slave, teach them a trade (for hope of a better job) and perform any legal action necessary regarding the "owners."

At the end of the night, Shiloh and Hannah managed to raise $3,100...
They freed 3 people from slavery! By DANCING.

(For more info about the Dance-a-thon, check out the December 2008 issue of the Spectrum: http://www.spectrummagazine.net/)

This account gives me so much hope. It shows that we can make a difference. "We" meaning anyone. So why not? What else can be done? Not only for the cause against human trafficking, but for world hunger, or the AIDS epidemic, or clean water, or genocide?

I want to do something. I've always wanted to do something bigger than myself. I never knew what I would do, but now I've got an idea:
Charity ultimate Frisbee tournament. Recruited teams would play for a donated prize, but entrance fees and optional pledges (money per points scored) would go straight to a cause. Think of the possibilities.


One of my best friends, Steve, is an amazing guitarist. He's been playing for years and he LOVES music. He also loves Jesus. He wants to get some bands - big, small, obscure, mainstream - together to organize a benefit show to raise money and awareness. Steve wants to expose both the darkness in our world, but also God's weapons - His people - against it. He's shooting for next summer. Get ready.

Three people's lives were changed forever because two young women got a bunch of teenagers to DANCE. What kind of difference could be made from a bunch of people tossing around a frisbee? What change could be inspired in the midst of a mosh pit? Time will only tell.