I wish you’d all been there:  people from more than 40 countries, all committed to Christ’s call to ministry in the darkest places in this world, worshiping and praising God in many languages and forms, learning from each other, sharing joy—and sadness, victory—and frustration.  It was the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP)/Global Conference!

This was our 4th conference at the Green Lake Conference Center and I think it was THE BEST!  Our theme was “JOY” and if you’d come to the conference center during the week, you would have seen and felt it!

 

When you think about prostitution and human trafficking, and you imagine people who have been victims and who have been in ministry with victims, I doubt that the word “joy” would come to your mind.  But that’s what separates those of us who are following Christ’s Call to service from all who are following other voices:  we know that even in the most dark and violent situations, there can be restoration and healing.  And Christ’s Joy will come!

 

The ICAP/Global Conference was the dream of many “practitioners”—those who walk the streets and into the brothels of this world, and meet people in prostitution with the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  They wanted a place to BE together, to worship and share and learn.  God called me to direct the conference, starting with the first one in 2004.  And what a Joy it’s been!

 

And what a LOT of (Joyful!) work!  The Green Lake Conference Center has so generously provided us a home for the conference—and I work closely with Marion Kobow (Assistant to the President) to work out the details.  Over the last several months, we have sent out more than 1000 e-mails, written more than 50 letters requesting visas, spent hours and days on skype and on the phone.  What is so gratifying is that those who participate are SO thankful for the opportunity to be together.  We all see it as a giant gift from God!

 

One outcome of the conferences is the formation of the organization ICAP—“International Christian Alliance on Prostitution”.  Our mission:  “ICAP seeks to unite, equip and empower practitioners who compassionately challenge injustice and offer freedom to those being sexually exploited through prostitution including human trafficking.” 

 

The Leadership Team consists of representatives from every region of the world—all practitioners, most local founders of important projects which are meeting people in prostitution with the Hope of Jesus.  A major highlight for me at the conference was the work that the Leadership Team did in seeking God’s heart for a creative future.  We spent time in preparation for that future and with much prayer.  We rejoiced at the news that we’ve recently been granted a 501(c)3 (non-profit) status as an organization!  During the process, the team invited me to be their Coordinator, and I enthusiastically accepted.  The development of the organization has been a long, circuitous journey for all of us and we were all thankful to know God’s Spirit of Unity that we had longed for!

 

It would have been GREAT if you had been with us.  Actually, in spirit, you WERE!  Your support and prayers were—and continue to be SO important!  Your financial contributions towards my ministry enabled me to do my part in preparation for the conference—and my on-going ministry of support for the practitioners.  Your contributions to International Ministries provided scholarships for some of the participants.   Thank you!  Thank you!  I pray that you will know also know the JOY that we experience following our Call!