Welcome to the Victory Blog

In case you haven’t heard, throughout the summer, Fusion, our 20-somethings ministry has left the building and is taking it to the streets, engaging the community as Jesus would! Just because they aren’t having formal services doesn’t mean they’re just kicking back for the summer. No, through Fusion small groups and social justice projects they’re sharing Jesus with our community in real and practical ways, reaching out to neighbors, helping people in need and shining the light of God’s love into dark places. Check out these video blog posts highlighting some of what God’s already been doing in and through them:

And that’s not all! Check out the Fusion Blog to see what else is has been going on.

Plus, the summer’s only half over! There’s a lot more to come!

On February 11, 2009, we were pleased to welcome author David Batstone and musician Brant Christopher. Together, they shared with us a message of freedom.

David Batstone is the founder of Not for Sale, a campaign to end slavery in our lifetime. Brant Christopher is a musician who has partnered with Not for Sale, helping to spread the word that human trafficking and slavery is a modern day reality.

During this special service, David Batsone delivered a powerful message of freedom for the captives. Eyes were opened as David shared with Victory the disturbing fact that 27 million people are currently enslaved. Yes, 27 MILLION! And this is not just in other countries, it’s happening in our own backyard – right here in the “land of the free.” Children and adults are being sold as slaves to a perverse world – a world full of evil, greed, lust, and spiritual deadness. David not only informed us, but empowered us with the wisdom, knowledge and truth necessary for us to do our part to end slavery. As Isaiah 61:1 says: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (NIV)

Brant shared his heart for the issue by putting music to his words – playing guitar and singing songs that portray the unsettling emotions associated with human trafficking and slavery. Brant’s music seized our hearts and caused them to be sensitive to the issue at hand. Brant unselfishly used his musical talents for the greater good of all. Brant is a great example of how we all can use our gifts to raise awareness of this issue.

We are truly grateful to David and Brant for bringing this relevant and urgent message to Victory. As a result, many were challenged to take responsibility, take action, and take the message of freedom to all who are oppressed.

Taina Brown had this to say about the event:

I had heard [Batstone] speak on the cause last year at a Fusion service and, since that time, had developed an interest in joining the anti-slavery movement. The Fusion band had led us into a time of worship and there was a sense of expectancy in the room. There were those of us who had already been involved as modern-day abolitionists on several different levels, and there were those who were new to the movement and unsure of what to expect from the night. Interweaved with the backstory of Not For Sale and what we as average citizens can do to combat the terror of human trafficking, was music by Brant Christopher and visual images presented on the screens. It was a very creative presentation that gave us information and also touched the human soul at its core through the different types of media that were present.

An abolitionists is defined as someone who favors the abolition of any law or practice deemed harmful to society. How many of us would actually say that sex trafficking and human slavery is something that we favor? At the end of the night, we were encouraged to take action. Not by signing up on rescue teams or traveling abroad to places where it’s right before our eyes, but by signing up to be informed, by writing letters to major companies which deem it un-profitable to buy things like chocolate and clothing not made from slave labor, and by getting the word out. We were challenged to live differently, work differently, shop differently. We are no longer ignorant to this issue, and to do nothing is to turn a blind eye.

Christ did not die in vain! The true reality of our times is that ALL are free! Not a select group, class, race, or gender, but ALL. Freedom! Shout it from the roof tops! Proclaim it to the captives! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36, NIV). ~ Alex Hogan

For more information on “Not for Sale”, check out their website: www.notforsalecampaign.org