Sex trafficking

problem locally

sparks response

   
  PORTLAND — National media recently focused on a sad reality — the Portland area’s major role in the sex trafficking industry. An ABC News report last month, for example, noted that while Portland. is considered one of the most livable cities in the U.S., it also has a reputation as the national hub for child sex trafficking.
     The Christian community in this part of the Northwest is responding to address the problem.
     Portland-area pastors and ministry leaders are mobilizing their churches in response to A Portland Faith Awakening, an anti-trafficking event hosted by Western Seminary on Aug. 25.
      More than 230 individuals converged on the seminary to hear a first-hand message of hope from a sex trafficking survivor.

      The conference also featured exhortation and educational sessions from Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, and Steve and Celestia Tracy of Arizona-based Mending the Soul ministry.
   “Humanly speaking, this is not a population we stand a chance with,” Steve Tracy admitted. “The battle is overwhelming.”
    Tracy explained that the average age for a trafficking victim is 13 years old. There are 1,000 known victims in the city of Portland, but this is a problem that remains largely unreported.
    He noted that childhood sexual abuse is the common denominator in sex trafficking cases — most women who are trafficked have been scarred by abuse that makes them susceptible to the influence and abuse of men who exploit them.
   “It’s our conviction that we stand at a time of tremendous opportunity as Christians,” Tracy continued. “The body of Christ has the opportunity in this day and age through sex trafficking to showcase the power of God to redeem broken lives.”
    Each conference attendee received a notebook with educational information related to the trafficking issue, and contact information for 20 different organizations that are currently reaching out to trafficking victims.
    Western Seminary Vice President of Advancement Greg Moon was one of several event organizers. Moon marveled that, despite the media attention this issue has been receiving, many of the conference attendees were still uninformed of the widespread trafficking problem in the Portland Metro area.
   “We as a seminary were delighted to offer a place where ministry leaders could gather and learn about this important issue,” he said.
    Jim Westfall, board chair of the local anti-trafficking organization Door to Grace, also served on the planning committee.
   “I believe A Portland Faith Awakening was a great first step toward galvanizing the church in Oregon to respond as Jesus suggested we should,” he said.
    He and others are already pursuing the next step — a two-day introductory volunteer workshop hosted by Door to Grace at the Luis Palau Association headquarters, 1500 N.W. 167th Place in Beaverton, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15 and 16.
  “I definitely think we accomplished the event’s initial goals.,” Westfall said.   “But we have much work remaining to do. The practice of sex trafficking in Portland didn’t come about suddenly, and it won’t go away suddenly.
  “Those of us who believe that Jesus needs to be at the center of the transformation that must occur need more than ever to commit to long-term prayer, seeking wisdom at every step, and the diligence to see the work completed.”
   Those interested in attending the follow-up workshop can register by visiting www.DoorToGrace.org and clicking on the “registration” link in the site’s events calendar.