January Meeting Recap
More than 100 people showed up to support the efforts of Trafficking Justice and Beautiful and Loved during Tuesday night’s Amplify Mission Network meeting. Business folks, nonprofit executives and organizational mavens dined on dinner catered from The Freedom Truck, an organization dedicated to spread awareness about human trafficking.
John Trautz welcomed partners and guests to the event and commended them on showing up to make a difference. Singer/Songwriter Sally Cranham opened in prayer with a song she wrote for Amplify, reminding us “…there are whispers of hope and distant cries, there’s a voice in the desert we come to Amplify… God is the strength to the humble, the gift in the Giver, the one who shapes our path, we are His staff.”
Keynote speaker Terry Forliti, Breaking Free, shared heartbreaking stories of victimization, addiction and loss in her experience not only as a former victim of sex trafficking, but also as the executive director of Breaking Free. Forliti challenged us to really look at the issue of sexual exploitation, how massive it is and the call to do something about it.
Trafficking Justice presented a chilling video of a young girl exploited for sex- quickly illustrating the shame, guilt and distrust that so many victims experience. Executive Director Keith Lokkesmoe challenged the audience to standup and not get overwhelmed by the massiveness of the problem. “I believe that through God all things are possible” Lokkesmoe said, “We need your prayers, we need your support to accomplish our 2019 Priorities of Prevention, Legal Advocacy, Restoration.” A growing organization, with even more demand for its services and desire to connect those who want to help, Trafficking Justice asked Amplify Partners for suggestions on designing a business model capable of scale and prioritizing the transition from a volunteer-based staff to a more sustainable model. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK here.
Beautiful and Loved founder Kjersti Bohrer shared information about her ministry to reach women who are hurting and being commercially exploited by reminding them they are beloved and a beautiful gift from God. Bohrer and her team of volunteers visit 10 strip clubs in the metro area to be the hands and feet of Christ – reminding women they are beautiful and loved by God, and reminding us all the God shows up where his children are. Gifts are donated or purchased and packed to be distributed as a first step towards building community with women in strip clubs. She’s seeking assistance with developing a board and identifying a business plan that continues the momentum for serving this under-served population with the goal for restorative services and potentially a safe house for those leaving the industry. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 12 | Colonial Church, 5pm
We’ll continue the challenge to Be Present in 2019 in our March meeting. Guest speakers Krista and Jeremy Carroll will share the inspiring story of their MN-based branding business, Latitude, which is moving the world forward and illustrating what’s possible when we utilize heart and mind in business.
Presenting ministries Juvenile Justice Advocates International‘s Executive Director Douglas Keillor will share some of the troubling statistics he recently presented to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to advocate policy reforms for the vulnerable and his plan to mobilize individuals for real impact and change. Tim Owens, President and Co-Founder of The Redemption Project will present on his ministry to reduce recidivism and provide opportunities for renewed hope through meaningful employment with a livable wage.