"Hear Ye! Hear Ye!" Big News

We celebrated a Big Event (on Reformation Day!) for which we glorify the Lord as it reflects the unity of believers called to seek His justice. Following the Lord’s guidance down a path of Kingdom partnership the last 18 months, we have finally come to the Spirit-led point of launching our National Christian Alliance to Fight Sex Trafficking in Italy. God brought us together as a Steering Committee, sharing a common bond in Christ and a common purpose: to establish a faith-based non-profit called the “Shining Treasures Alliance”, the first of its kind as it represents and connects evangelical organizations and ministry leaders of all affiliations engaged in this issue.

Check out our website: www.TesoriRaggianti.com

Here is an excerpt from the newsletter of our Director, Erika Tello:

“I have had the honor of leading a fabulous team of gifted, passionate, and godly, women, a.k.a. the ATR Steering Committee, to build the foundation for the organization we have felt led to establish. They have not only been instrumental in bringing ATR to where it is today, but they have been instrumental in bringing healing and renewal in my life as they have entrusted me with the directorship of this endeavor He has put in our hearts.

The Steering Committee from left to right: Erica, Anna, Sarah, Erika, Ruth, Estelle

Registration: Small ministry teams and organizations from across Italy gather for the ATR event.

This is only the 2nd time we know of when evangelicals doing anti-trafficking ministry in Italy have gathered together. The first was a year and a half ago when we hosted a training for caregivers of survivors of sex trafficking. It was great to see familiar faces from that first gathering and encouraging to have new ones in the mix too!

“(We) introduced the group to ATR – describing the mission, vision, strategies, structure, and opportunities for involvement – as well as introducing them to the steering committee who each described her role at ATR.

We are taking steps to become a registered non-profit organization in Italy that is forging ahead with plans for victim intervention, training, awareness campaigning, safe house development and more. This work will be overseen by members of the Steering Committee who are coordinators of different work groups. The work groups will be made up of ATR members and their involvement will be the fuel for the work of ATR across Italy.

God is uniting believers in Italy who were once operating independently or felt alone and we are becoming a stronger force because of it. Near the end of the day-long event we asked everyone in the room, all potential ATR members, to think of at least one thing he or she could contribute to ATR and its greater mission. They wrote thoughts on this group diagram as a symbol of how much we can do when we work together.

Collaboration is not something that is common in Italy, even among evangelical churches, so we are in awe of bridges He has built and in anticipation of much more to come as we equip, empower and unite this group and continue to add others to it in the months to come!

Our group photo marked a milestone for ATR, but ultimately for the battle we are all waging to push back the darkness that drives the commercial sex industry in Italy. We spent time in corporate prayer to close our time together to thank God for all He has done, celebrate all He is doing, and ask for His continued direction and protection. I also spoke our theme verse over the group, “All who look to Him are radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will darken their faces,” to remind us of its beautiful promise of restoration for all who look to Christ – trapped treasures and outreach workers alike.

The day of the “Equip, Empower, Unite” event was a fantastic one, full of reasons to be encouraged and inspired to keep walking this road we’ve sensed God directing us on.

The night before the event, we as a Steering Committee, invited Anna to join our leadership team. Anna is a young Italian woman who is beautiful inside and out with a huge heart for God and serving Him. She has just finished her law studies with an emphasis on human trafficking. We unanimously agreed that she was a crucial missing piece and would serve as a fabulous leader in the area of advocacy and legislative reform for ATR and the treasures we serve. She took the evening to consider our offer and then told us something right after the event that brought me to tears. She explained that about four years ago, after Jesus got hold of her heart, she questioned whether her intended career in law was something she should continue to pursue. She couldn’t see how God could use it but felt Him leading her to continue without knowing what job description He had in mind for her. The tears came to my eyes when she then said; “I believe your invitation to join ATR is the answer from God that I have been waiting four years to hear.”

Wow. What sweet confirmation that this ministry is something that God wants and how humbling to be part of something He has been preparing long before a thought of it had entered our minds. Not to mention how ecstatic we are that she is joining us!”

As for me, (Sarah), I ask you to pray for continued unity, a clear path, and common vision to go forward. There is a lot of work to do to develop this partnership and effectively link up the services Christians are offering or need. Pray as I approach church leaders to offer equipping and resources. Pray for pastors to recognize and confront this wicked business, and the need to mobilize for the Gospel’s sake. We see this as our gift to the Body of Christ in Italy in their pursuit of the Kingdom of Christ and His righteousness.