Justice & Mercy Ministry

God is just and merciful and He calls us to be his hands and feet to a broken world. 

We encounter injustice all around us - refugees flooding into our communities, people displaced, racism, the exploitation of vulnerability, human trafficking, and the list goes on. All of these people are precious and important to God and should therefore be important to us.

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Erika had the privilege of serving victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in Italy for several years. She founded the "Radiant Treasures Alliance," a national network of Christian anti-trafficking workers in Italy, and directed its efforts to equip, empower and unite those in the network as they served victims of trafficking in their communities throughout Italy. Erika also collaborated with believers in Italy to establish a safe house in Italy where survivors can receive wrap around care. Since we moved back to the USA, both efforts have been carried on by Christian leaders in Italy who are continuing the work there today.

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It is critical that missionaries around the world recognize the very real needs of the people they serve. A person who is hungry or in danger will struggle to focus on a spiritual message. Jesus met people where they were at, responding to their felt needs with a heart of compassion. We should do the same, however the needs facing missionaries today are many and the load can be heavy.

 

Having served vulnerable peoples on the field, Erika is passionate about supporting other workers who are faced with challenges she can understand or imagine. Together with a colleague, she is now coordinating a new effort to cultivate a culture in TEAM (our missions agency) that affirms and understands that justice and mercy ministry is essential in making disciples by equipping workers to effectively serve the vulnerable in their community and that provides opportunities for community among TEAM workers doing justice and mercy ministry.