We’ve spoken in this space in the past about the many ways missional enterprise has been part of the fight against the horror of modern-day slavery.

It is a timely moment to revisit that topic. Last Friday, June 19, was a day to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Yesterday, June 22, marked the anniversary of an important 1772 ruling in England that spurred the British antislavery movement.

Tragically, slavery is still alive and well on a global scale today, with over 50 million people estimated to be victims of human trafficking.

A recent podcast from Faith Driven Entrepreneur highlights both the gravity of the current crisis and the hope for change that new partnerships are bringing to the anti-trafficking movement. The discussion with Tim Tebow and Wes Lyons highlights how churches, non-profits, for-profit businesses, law enforcement, and governmental agencies all must work together as critical parts of the solution to this scourge.

Please consider taking some time today to listen, reflect, and pray for the many followers of Jesus, including business leaders, who are engaged in this important battle.

For more information about how missional enterprise is engaged in the fight to combat human trafficking, consider exploring the following:

• The Freedom Business Alliance, an organization providing research, training, awareness, and development for Freedom Businesses.
• A 2013 working group report of the BAM (Business as Mission) Global Think Tank, entitled “A Business Takeover: Combating the Business of the Sex Trade with Business as Mission.”

Verse(s) of the Week:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)

Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61 as he read from the scroll in the synagogue in Nazareth. Let’s pray this week that we will sense where he is at work today to “proclaim liberty to the captives” and that we will join Him in his work as he leads us.