God’s Word calls the body of Christ to be salt and light in this fallen world of decay and darkness.” Jay Wolf, pastor of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, said this calling was all the motivation needed for his church to open its doors to host the Alabama Human Trafficking Summit on Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The movement to end human trafficking is worldwide, seeking to “End It” in every culture.
The first of its kind in the state, the summit is sponsored by the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, a collection of men and women from varying political and law enforcement backgrounds who seek to end human trafficking in the state through mutual cooperation, prevention efforts and legislative changes.
Initially passed through the House of Representatives by Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, and later signed into action by Gov. Robert Bentley, the task force meets quarterly to strategize and coordinate efforts around the state.
One such effort is the summit. David Pinkleton, fundraising chair for the task force, said education is the main goal of the event.
“It’s very groundbreaking to see people come together to learn about the issue and go back and work … to help someone in this situation,” he said.
Participants will learn about the two kinds of trafficking, sex trafficking and labor trafficking; how to recognize someone who is being trafficked; and what steps to take to help victims and combat the issue.
Keynote speaker for the day will be Linda Smith, former congresswoman and founder and president of Shared Hope International, an organization based in Vancouver, Wash., that strives to eradicate sex trafficking and restore its victims in the United States and abroad.
The day also will feature speakers representing The WellHouse, a shelter in Birmingham for exploited women; Alabama District Attorney’s Association; Homeland Security Investigations; Alabama Fusion Center; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
With January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the summit is an “opportunity to get out in front and educate people” about the prevalence of human trafficking all around Alabama, Pinkleton said. Human trafficking cases have been reported in Montgomery County, Birmingham, Fort Payne, Madison County, Huntsville, Albertville, Guntersville, Dothan and Mobile, according to enditalabama.org.
“We’re a pass through of human trafficking,” he said, referring to Atlanta’s status as one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the country. People often are shocked to learn this fact, Pinkleton said.
Wolf said his greatest prayer for the event is for those who come into contact with trafficking victims to “set the captives free” with the truth of Christ.
“After all if a person is freed from human trafficking but goes to an eternal hell we have only met a temporary need,” he said.
Registration for the event ends Jan. 26.
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