To Increase Awareness among Synod Congregations of Human Trafficking

WHEREAS, God created all life and sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem all life, and He desires that all people come to the knowledge of Him, be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), and have abundant life in Him (John 10:10); and

WHEREAS, St. Paul called the church to repent of sexual immorality of all kinds (1 Cor. 5:1–2; 6:12–20) and God repeatedly worked repentance in His people and saved them from physical and spiritual prostitution (Exodus 32; Deut. 23:18; Judges 2:17; 1 Kings 11:5; Hos. 1–14; Ezekiel 16); and

WHEREAS, God is able to forgive and restore all who are in bondage to any slavery and sin (1 Sam. 7:4; 2 Samuel 11–12; Psalm 23:3; Psalm 51; Luke 8:1–2; John 8:1–11, 31–36; Heb. 11:32), and we by God’s grace are taught to repent of all sins of which we are aware and unaware (Small Catechism V 16); and

WHEREAS, God, the Father of mercies, has called us to comfort all with the comfort He gives us (2 Cor. 1:3–4) and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 19:19; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:29); and

WHEREAS, Human trafficking, including forced labor and sex trafficking, affects an estimated 24.9 million victims worldwide at any given time; and

WHEREAS, The Office of National Mission (ONM) and recognized service organizations (RSOs) have addressed human trafficking; and

WHEREAS, Many people in Synod congregations are unaware of the magnitude of this deplorable act against humanity; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct ONM to research and share synodwide—through publications, social media, and other sources—churches, schools, and RSOs who are having an impact on their communities plagued by human trafficking, as a witness to the Synod of ministries for implementation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its church workers and lay people to become educated regarding this issue and be proactive in their response; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commit to pray that almighty God would by His power bless and direct all law enforcement agencies in their fight against human trafficking and that He would through His Church and other relief organizations provide healing, support, and ministry to the victims of human trafficking and that He would bring an end to these deplorable acts