Do You See

At Willow, we’ve spent the last 3 weeks focusing on global issues such as poverty and the refugee crisis as part of our Celebration of Hope series. We’ve been challenged to look beyond ourselves; to see through God’s eyes, and in seeing, to be His hands and feet. To bring hope to the world.

One of our guest speakers was Christine Caine, activist, evangelist, international speaker, and founder of A21, which seeks to abolish injustice in the 21^st century. Christine walked us through the story of Jesus’ anointing by a “sinful” woman at the house of Simon the Pharisee, as told in Luke 7:36-50.

We quickly see the contrast in how Jesus sees the woman and how Simon the Pharisee sees the woman. Simon views her through the lens of judgment, self-righteousness, prejudice and fear. Jesus views her through the lens of love, mercy and grace. As Christine pointed out, Simon’s whole outlook made him entirely blind. He not only didn’t see the woman, he didn’t even see Jesus! The lens he was looking through blinded him.

Christine challenged us to ask ourselves what lens we are looking through. Do we view the world through a lens of bias, legalism, prejudice and fear? Are we obsessed with how things will impact us personally? Do we see the pain and suffering around us, or do we just see ourselves? Or, are we, like Jesus, looking through the lens of love, compassion, grace and mercy? If we are looking through the wrong lens, then we will see the wrong thing.

Christine left us with words that come as both a reminder of our purpose and a call to action:

“We are God’s search and rescue team for a lost and broken world. But if we don’t see them, we won’t go to them; we’ll run from them. God’s asking us if we would see through the lens of compassion and love and mercy. Would we see enough to roll up our sleeves and get involved? Jesus is asking His church what he asked Simon the Pharisee in that moment: do you see?”

We invite you to join us as we endeavor to be that search and rescue team in the fight against human trafficking.

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You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

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Get Connected:

humantrafficking@willowcreek.org

Upcoming Events:

Human Trafficking Discussion for Parents:

Tom Hampson, founder and president of Truth Alliance Foundation will be speaking to parents on the important topic of sexual predators and trafficking on Wednesday, May 18^th, 7:30-8:30 pm.

Mr. Hampson is the former Chief Investigator of the Illinois Legislative Investigating Commission and later the head of his own investigation agency where he specialized in complex international investigations. He has had extensive experience investigating networks of child sexual predators. He helped design the model for building criminal cases against child sexual predators without the need to have a child victim testify. That model is used by law enforcement agencies throughout the world today. He helped draft the first child pornography statute in Illinois and the first law in Illinois that led to the establishment of Child Advocacy Centers.

Mr. Hampson also investigated predator priests is Illinois, on behalf of the State of Illinois, following the church scandal that was exposed by the Boston Globe in the early 2000’s. He is an expert in managing and directing complex international investigations, identifying child predators, and in developing information on hidden criminal networks.

New Name Call Center:

Pray for women as we offer resources and outreach over the phone to women posted on online ads. Wednesday, May 4th, 7:30 pm at Willow Creek Community Church in the Link (F Lot Parking). For more information, contact Cheryl Csiky at: ccsiky@willowcreek.org.

Scarves for Outreach:

Do you knit or crochet? We are asking for donations of hand-made scarves for our outreach gift bags once again! No pattern requirements, (“girly” is great!) but we do ask the scarves are prayed over as they are made. Scarves are needed by: September 1^st. Please contact, Holly at hkoehler@wcservingvolunteer.org for details.

Save The Date:
 
June 15^th 7:30-8:30 pm - Human Trafficking Awareness Forum:

“What About the Boys?”

July 9^th 9:30 am – 2:30 pm: FIGHT Conference
The FIGHT conference is dedicated to raising awareness, establishing collaborative networks, and equipping volunteers to engage in the FIGHT.  Online registration begins May 1^st.
New Life Covenant Church | 2250 W Highland, Elgin
 
July 20^th 7:30-9:00 pm - Summer Movie: “8 Days”

Inspired by actual events, the independent film “8 Days” revolves around 16-year-old Amber Stevens, who goes missing after sneaking to a party with her friends. Amber is forced into the world of sex trafficking and her family and community fight to get her back.

August 4^th and 5^th:  Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force Conference
IIT Chicago-Ken College of Law | 565 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL

August 17^th  7:30-9:00 pm -Summer Movie with Freedom Firm: “Horse and Rider”

“Horse and Rider” is a feature-length documentary that follows the tangled memories of two survivors of sex trafficking living and working in Freedom Firm’s aftercare program. Join these two young women as they share their traumatic experiences and start down the path of restoration.