Rend Your Heart, by Jan Richardson

Day 9 : A Conversation with Gary Haugen of IJM

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
– Psalm 40:2

"Joy is the oxygen for doing hard things." – Gary Haugen

Last December, at the beginning of Advent on the feast day of St. Nicholas, ARDF and M25i hosted a webinar conversation with Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission.  In the words of Coracle director Bill Haley, Gary Haugen is the one who “put justice on the map” for many Christians; in other words, he opened up the topic of justice for many people and many churches by bringing us a new awareness of the issues at stake, through a Christian lens.  

Gary himself is an Anglican, so he is one of us, and he knows what it looks like to pursue justice as an Anglican.  It’s hard.  It’s messy, and dark, and it can be overwhelming if we’re not rooted in Christ and clinging to the hem of his robe. Gary offers us deep and hard-won wisdom on how to persevere in this work of justice, without losing our hope and joy. 

Grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and settle into a rich listen which will include:

  • St. Nicholas history and lore. One of the best contemplative activists ever! You likely don't know the whole story.

  • Jake+ Stum of ARDF, Bill+ Haley of Coracle, Christine Warner of M25i

  • A visio divina moment of quiet

  • Maralee Gutierrez, one of our Anglicans on the streets 

  • Justice and mercy prayers that you will want to save and use with your small group or bible study at some point

  • Witness Anglican unity at work with several organizations and leaders partnering with the same heart and vision

  • Featured: Gary Haugen answering direct and sometimes personal questions

As you listen, think about the things you’ve learned this week regarding human trafficking.

1. How might you pray against human trafficking more effectively?

2. How you might join in the fight against human trafficking, especially through prevention among vulnerable populations?

3. What is God saying to you?  To what might he be calling you?

Loving Father,

We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved.

For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery,

and denied freedom.

We beseech you to release them from their chains.

Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment.

Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning.

Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes.

Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation.

For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen*

*prayer from the USCCB handout for World Day of Peace 2015