Although DeKalb County is not known as a hotbed for human trafficking one incident is already alleged to have occurred here within the last year.
A Nashville man, 34 year old Charles Earl Denton is currently under indictment for trafficking for a commercial sex act after he arranged to meet a 15 year old Liberty girl in August and then drove to DeKalb County to pick her up. She was taken to Nashville for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. The girl was later found in a Nashville motel room. Denton was not there but was arrested later.
The Salem Baptist Association and the Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice are taking the initiative of bringing attention to this serious issue by hosting a program called “Middle TN Night of Hope” in an effort to rally churches and others in the community to help make a difference.
“Night of Hope”will be held on Thursday, December 7 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex at 712 South Congress Boulevard.
According to organizers, the Church is uniquely positioned to combat human trafficking and to prevent it from happening in the first place.
“The evil of human trafficking did not appear in our state overnight, and it cannot be eradicated without a strategic plan of action. Whether it is by protecting those in our own communities, affirmatively seeking out the oppressed, or providing restoration for those who have been rescued, the Church can make a significant difference in this fight”.
You are invited to this program to learn more about how Tennessee churches and their members can engage by enhancing their programs, coming alongside existing local anti-trafficking effort, and filling present gaps in our communities.
The program schedule is as follows:
*Music and Worship: Walt Stock
*Welcome: Paul Fries
*Video: Survivor’s Poem “Who’s the Girl” (1:30)
*Prayer for Victims: Mike Carpenter
*Prayer for Traffickers: Dean Anderson
*Introduction: Jimmy Arms
*How the Church is Uniquely Positioned: Ashleigh S. Chapman, JD
*Prayer for Vision: Isaac Gray
*Engage Together Church Testimonial: LaRita Gillespie
*Closing & Call to Action: Jimmy Arms
After the service you are urged to visit the booths of ministries and programs already serving in your local community, and explore ways to engage today on behalf of those in need.
For more information, please contact Tracey Revelle at 877-727-3642, extension 700
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